Plans changed. But we still experienced quite the adventure.
Traveling South bound on Highway 5 the day after Christmas, traffic was heavy. We would get up to 65 for a few miles only to slow back down to 10 miles an hour. Our plan of arriving at 8 pm looked more like an 11 pm arrival at best. The kids had just eaten dinner and were just starting a movie. It was about 7:00 and the kids had been awesome the whole way. I was trying to convince myself that it would all be worth it the next morning when we took our first hike and the kids ran freely through the desert with their usual zest for life.
I saw the vehicle two cars ahead begin to break. I started to slow. The car in front of me did not. When the driver in front of us realized traffic was stopping they hammered their breaks causing a chain reaction. We were car number 3 in a 7 car pile up. The last vehicle was a semi truck that accordioned all 7 cars together. Our van was impacted on three sides by 3 different vehicles. We had 4 separate impacts. It was a bizarre experience hearing all of the crashes one right after the other. It all took a matter of seconds but it seemed it would never end.
Fortunately, we were driving Bertha. We named her accordingly. She is one big bad mamma jamma. And she took the beating for us. We also apparently had our guardian angels in the car. Because, though we did end up with 4 kiddos banged up and crying, and one transported to ER via ambulance as a precaution, there were no major injuries in our vehicle. And of the 7 vehicles involved, only one other vehicle had injuries. Both passengers of that vehicle were transported via ambulance for minor injuries. I was told by the EMT they were expecting much more significant injuries based on the number of vehicles and speeds involved. They had a helicopter on stand by. All of the emergency personnel were relieved and grateful to see us all conscious and coherent.
As with everything in our family we found a way to make this adventure memorable and fun. Yep, I said fun. The kids thought this was a great adventure.
It started with the CHP coming to the vehicle and asking, "Okay, who are all the kids." I responded that they were all mine. After the look of incredulity, I clarified that some are adopted but all 7 children are my children. He then asked, "And you are the ONLY adult in the vehicle?" To which I had to clarify twice that yes, I was indeed alone with my 7 children.
Around this time the emergency personnel had assessed all of the parties involved and realized the medical needs were super minor. So most of the firemen began congregating around our van to interact with the kids. They were smiling and joking and trying to keep all the littles distracted and reassured. The boys thought this was amazing. They were pointing at the tow trucks and fire engines and the ambulance and police cars. I appreciate all of these men and their willingness to help keep the kids calm and entertained.
Once it was determined that Amber was going to travel in the ambulance to ER for clearance the Highway Patrol asked me what to do with the kids. Because Amber was conscious I was required to accompany her in the ambulance which would leave my other 6 children alone. They offered to drive the kids to their sub station and watch them until Brad or I could pick them up.
At first we thought Bertha was not derivable so the kids were going to ride in police vehicles. This was a thrilling prospect to the littles. After I pulled away in the ambulance the officers were able to duct tape the tail light back onto the vehicle and throw the side mirror and other loose parts inside. Though the doors were not functioning properly, they were able to close everything up so they deemed Bertha 'drivable' and had a fireman drive the kids to the substation.
At the hospital, Amber was quickly cleared by the ER doctors. I can only imagine what they had expected when told on the radio there was a 12 year old girl involved in a 7 car pile up at speeds exceeding 60 miles per hour. There were two doctors standing in the doorway ready to run alongside her gurney. We were so very blessed. A small concussion, walnut sized lump on the back of her head and some mild whip lash were all they could find. They still did a few simple tests including an abdominal ultrasound just to rule everything out. But within 20 minutes they realized all was well and settled on 'observation' for the next 3 hours before releasing her.
Amber right before release. Posing with her "Siren the Rescue Dog" the EMT gave her.
Brad was still an hour away when we were released so we took Uber back to the CHP sub station to get the kids and Bertha. Brad had gotten us a hotel and was on his way to meet us.
The boys sleeping on the floor of a conference room in the CHP office. They had been wonderful.
While I was away the CHP officers had insisted on getting the kids something from the store. This exchange was amusing to Brad and I. We are so grateful for our confident and independent kiddos who can go with the flow.
CHP: "Okay, Caitlin, we are going to go the store to get you guys some food. What should we get?"
Caity: "Oh, we ate dinner right before the accident. We don't need anything."
CHP: "Oh. Well my kids always eat right before bed, are you sure you don't want some snacks or something."
Caity: "No, we really should be fine."
CHP: "Well do you need some chocolate milk or regular milk or something?"
Caity: "No, my mom doesn't let the boys drink much before bed or they'll be up in the night going to the bathroom."
CHP: "How about some sodas then."
Caity: "Actually, we don't really drink soda and I know my mom wouldn't want them to have soda before bed."
CHP: "Okay, can we at least get you some waters?"
Caity (feeling rude at this point): "Water would be great, thank you."
The officers went out to purchase bottled waters for each of the kids and made sure to stop at IHOP on the way back to get coloring books and crayons for them all as well. Each of the boys received a stuffed animal from the officers which they thought was amazing. Caity reported that the boys happily colored and watched movies until far beyond their normal bed time before settling into the sleeping bags we had brought for our trip with their new stuffed animals.
When I arrived everyone but Caity was asleep. I carried the two littlest boys to their seats and the big kids all climbed over the seats back into Bertha and we hobbled her to the hotel. She was making some noises and pulling to the right a bit. But we made it to our room about 2:00 and the kids settled quickly back to sleep.
Wednesday morning we took things slow at our hotel and spent a fair amount of time communicating with the insurance company. We were told we could drive Bertha home if we followed certain guidelines. And, after a morning romp at a nearby park, that's just what we did. Bertha was good to us and we made it home without incident.
Thursday when I took Bertha to the collision repair center for our insurance company I was immediately told she is not safe to drive and they could not let me leave with her. Oops.
It's hard to tell in the picture but the doors and the floor are actually pushed into the trunk.
The rear doors and side doors wont open any more.
I didn't get pictures of the front of the van or down the side where one of the other cars hit. That damage was far more minor. And I thought I took a picture of the back doors with the most significant damage, but I can't find it.
It looks like the frame is bent and the entire back half of the vehicle has buckled. We aren't sure if we will get our Bertha back or not. They have to do a 'tear down' which will include cutting the doors off just to complete the estimate. Even if the insurance does choose to repair her, we wont get the car back for at least a month.
And so, now we try to figure out how to get our family of 10 around town without a car that can fit us all. Bessie and Whitey just got promoted to full time duty...
In the end we are feeling incredibly blessed. The number of details that were perfect during and after the crash are overwhelming. As usual, we can see the miracles all around and we are overwhelmed by gratitude for the best possible outcome.
Amber complained of a headache and sore neck for about two days before returning to her normal bouncy self. All of the boys other bumps and bruises are already forgotten. And we are all home safe and sound.
