I could go on at length about the things I love about living here in Delaware.
My recent experience of the evening of Jan. 17, while driving south on Route One just below Milford, has added one more very big item to that list.
A car unexpectedly entered Route One just as I was approaching the exchange at Granary Brick Road. I was traveling in the inside lane on Route One and swerved to try to avoid a high speed collision. Unfortunately, I was unsuccessful and the front-right of my car smashed into the left-front of the other vehicle. The impact deployed front and side airbags in my car, and I lost control long enough that the vehicle crossed the median strip and I was in the northbound passing lane by the time I was able to come to a stop.
Then began the course of events for which I will always be grateful. First, in spite of their speed, the drivers of the oncoming northbound vehicles were alert and skilled enough to avoid driving right into my car. Then a woman stopped and with great danger to herself, got out into the road and directed traffic around me and my vehicle. Someone called 911 on their cell.
The state police, fire department and emergency medical personnel were on the scene in a matter of minutes. They were prepared for any medical or vehicle emergency. And they rapidly rerouted traffic so as minimize the impact on traffic.
All of the individuals involved treated me with the utmost courtesy, concern and professional competence. Fortunately, in this instance, neither myself, nor the driver nor passenger in the other car was seriously injured in spite of the high speed of the collision and the total wreck of both vehicles.
The entire experience made me proud and thankful to be a Delawarean who can benefit from the selfless behavior of citizens who will come to the aid of their fellow man, like the woman who stepped up and prevented a possible disastrous second accident, and who can receive the high level of competent and empathetic response and treatment that was delivered to me and the persons in the other vehicle without imposing undue burden on the traffic on Route One.
In the future, whenever anyone asks me why I like living in Delaware, I will include a retelling of this experience. Thanks and appreciation to all involved.
Courtney Riordan
Dewey Beach
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