alohaHola123
New Here
On march 22 2012, only two days before my 20th birthday, my best friend Tyler and I were headed to get tattoos together over our spring break. On the way there we were t-boned by another vehicle going 60MPH and it was a direct hit to Tylers side of the car. I do not remember the actual accident, but I remember waking up in the car to yelling, and loud noises. When I gained consciousness, I looked around me and slowly pieced together what had happened. I was in shock.
My best friend who was driving was completely squished up into my body and from drivers side door to the passengers was no more than 11 inches. he was still unconscious. his head and upper body were behind my seat, and his legs completely crushed. I do not know why, but at The time seeing this didn't phase me at all. the thought never crossed my mind that he wouldn't be okay... Tyler was invincible in my eyes. I mouthed the words I love you to him and the proceeded to find my phone and try and get out of the car, which was beginning to smoke. After elbowing my door open, I tried to stand and fell to the ground and laid in the ditch next to the car.
I called my mom and told her what happened, but couldn't talk for long because I was in excruciating pain and could hardly breath. Shortly after, the paramedics arrived and I kept hearing them say that the driver was in critical condition and need to be airlifted to the hospital. My heart sank. I was hoping that they were lying and that some miracle would happen.
After being in the emergency room for hours, I was finally allowed to see my parents, who informed me that Tyler did not survive the wreck. I was devastated. I wanted to scream out in agony, but due to the 10 broken ribs I had, I wasn't even able to cry. The physicians came in and updated me on my condition, but I didn't care. I couldn't believe that my best friend who was just sitting next to me laughing and having a great time was now dead. just like that. in the blink of an eye.
Yet I somehow lived, and I still don't know why. I was in the hospital for 15 days, and a wheelchair for the three months after. I somehow managed to come out with only 10 broken ribs, a crushed pelvis and sacrum, and a broken t1, and t2. This might seem like a lot, but at least I was alive. Due to my pelvic fractures I was wheelchair bound for several months and it really changed my perception on life. It gave me a lot of time to reflect on what had happened and try to process it.
I wasn't able to attend his visitation or funeral, and it killed me on the inside. I felt like I was letting him down. But I guess looking back on it now, I already had my chance to say goodbye in the car, and now everyone else needed to get that chance.
It has now been almost 11 months since the accident and every day is a struggle. Physically, I am doing phenomenal and you wouldn't even be able to tell I was in an accident. But emotionally is a different story. Not a day passes where I don't sit in my room and cry. Either over the death of my best friend, or the fact that I am alive and it so easily could have been different. It could have been me.
The whole thing just seems like a movie. I cannot believe it really happened. Things like this are what you read about and hear horror stories about while growing up, but you never actually expect them to happen to you. I just really need someone who can relate. Someone who has been in an accident and lost a friend or family member that was inches away. Everyone always asks if I am okay, and truth is I'm not and I never will be. But I do not feel comfortable talking about some things with people who have never had a similar experience.
My best friend who was driving was completely squished up into my body and from drivers side door to the passengers was no more than 11 inches. he was still unconscious. his head and upper body were behind my seat, and his legs completely crushed. I do not know why, but at The time seeing this didn't phase me at all. the thought never crossed my mind that he wouldn't be okay... Tyler was invincible in my eyes. I mouthed the words I love you to him and the proceeded to find my phone and try and get out of the car, which was beginning to smoke. After elbowing my door open, I tried to stand and fell to the ground and laid in the ditch next to the car.
I called my mom and told her what happened, but couldn't talk for long because I was in excruciating pain and could hardly breath. Shortly after, the paramedics arrived and I kept hearing them say that the driver was in critical condition and need to be airlifted to the hospital. My heart sank. I was hoping that they were lying and that some miracle would happen.
After being in the emergency room for hours, I was finally allowed to see my parents, who informed me that Tyler did not survive the wreck. I was devastated. I wanted to scream out in agony, but due to the 10 broken ribs I had, I wasn't even able to cry. The physicians came in and updated me on my condition, but I didn't care. I couldn't believe that my best friend who was just sitting next to me laughing and having a great time was now dead. just like that. in the blink of an eye.
Yet I somehow lived, and I still don't know why. I was in the hospital for 15 days, and a wheelchair for the three months after. I somehow managed to come out with only 10 broken ribs, a crushed pelvis and sacrum, and a broken t1, and t2. This might seem like a lot, but at least I was alive. Due to my pelvic fractures I was wheelchair bound for several months and it really changed my perception on life. It gave me a lot of time to reflect on what had happened and try to process it.
I wasn't able to attend his visitation or funeral, and it killed me on the inside. I felt like I was letting him down. But I guess looking back on it now, I already had my chance to say goodbye in the car, and now everyone else needed to get that chance.
It has now been almost 11 months since the accident and every day is a struggle. Physically, I am doing phenomenal and you wouldn't even be able to tell I was in an accident. But emotionally is a different story. Not a day passes where I don't sit in my room and cry. Either over the death of my best friend, or the fact that I am alive and it so easily could have been different. It could have been me.
The whole thing just seems like a movie. I cannot believe it really happened. Things like this are what you read about and hear horror stories about while growing up, but you never actually expect them to happen to you. I just really need someone who can relate. Someone who has been in an accident and lost a friend or family member that was inches away. Everyone always asks if I am okay, and truth is I'm not and I never will be. But I do not feel comfortable talking about some things with people who have never had a similar experience.
