[updated] Tailgaters and black ice and, er, the good ol’ Celtic sixth sense

crashMissed call. 12:19 PM, EST. The GG. I didn’t notice it for four hours. I keep my phone on vibrate while I’m at work. I must’ve been away from my desk when he called and then I was in and out of meetings all afternoon. My intermittently and therefore uselessly prescient brain immediately thought, “accident!” I squelched that with, “if it were really important, he would’ve called back. Or texted. Or emailed. Or something.”

No texts. I checked my [personal] email. Lotsa spam but nothing from the GG. I figured it was nothing. Then I surfed over to Twitter. Yikes! Accident was right but fortunately everyone is all right. Our nephew and his wife were driving to Chicago today on the I94 18-wheel Slogway. They hit a patch of black ice near Jackson and I’m not sure exactly what happened but they spun and/or rolled at least once. I am not sure I actually even want to imagine it. Thankfully, they were okay and managed to crawl out of their jeep, which, if I have it right, was on its side at that point. Minutes later, another vee-hickle hit the same patch of black ice and slammed into their jeep. The driver of the that vee-hickle was taken away by ambulance but, if I have this right, she was conscious and will probably be okay.

All of this gave the GG a mission, which was to drive over to Jackson (thank god *he* didn’t hit the black ice) and get them to a rental car place and they apparently continued on to Chicago.

Black ice is just about the scariest driving condition there is because you can’t SEE the ice! You are driving along and the road is wet or maybe even mostly dry and all of a sudden, you are totally out of control. It can happen to anyone.

I am so glad that Chris and Kelly are okay. The first time I ever saw Chris, he was driving a Big Wheel and I was six years away from having my own children and I don’t have any words beyond that. I hope the other woman’s injuries are not too serious. This is a horrible winter for driving here in the Great Lake State. A lot of vee-hickles have to share the roads here and all the plows and road salt in the world are not going to prevent black ice from forming. Everybody please be careful. Including the nincompoop who tailgated me all the way from South Maple to Lohr today.

Update: As the GG’s comment says:

Jeep rolled three times and ended up on its side. a second car spun out and hit the jeep after chrisand kelly got out. a woman passenger was ejected from the back window of the other car. after a few minutes she regained her senses and was able to stand up. bill drove c & k to jackson to rent a car. they were on their way to chicago after two hours delay.

Click here or on the pic for a few more. I honestly don’t know if I’d have had the presence of mind to take pictures after something like this!

9 Responses to “[updated] Tailgaters and black ice and, er, the good ol’ Celtic sixth sense”

  1. isa Says:

    yikes… love my cousins, glad to hear they are safe.

    p.s. i am now friends with chloe belle on facebook.

  2. Kathy Farnell Says:

    Chloe Belle is going to have more friends than anyone! I am also very thankful that Chris and Kelli are safe. And Chris – next time you want a thrill, just take Kelli to Cedar Pointe.

  3. Sam Says:

    So, you’re trying to entice us to come visit? Ya gotta know our Michigan winter driving skills are rusty! Very glad everyone’s okay.

  4. Margaret Says:

    I’m so glad they’re OK and may I reiterate how much I HATE ICE. It is probably my number one fear besides heights. Black ice is the worst. *shiver*

  5. grandmothertrucker Says:

    I’m still waiting for Chris and Kelly to have kids…… a boy. Glad they’re ok, now, what about kids??? I have been driving over ice all week long, now, it’s time to drive back. Oklahoma and Arkansas and Kentucky are still out of electricity in spots for days from the ice storms. I drive carefully. You get black ice everywhere…. Good thing the GG was there to help.

  6. gg Says:

    Jeep rolled three times and ended up on its side.
    a second car spun out and hit the jeep after chrisand kelly got out.
    a woman passenger was ejected from the back window of the other car.
    after a few minutes she regained her senses and was able to stand up.

    bill drove c & k to jackson to rent a car.
    they were on their way to chicago after two hours delay.

  7. Dog Mom Says:

    just pored over the pix… WOW. Chris & Kelli are VERY lucky to have escaped injury (thank you safety belts and sturdy “roll cage” designs for passenger compartments).

    Proof yet again that it doesn’t matter WHAT you are driving when it’s icy. Ice wins every time.

  8. Kathy Farnell Says:

    Chris and Kelli – I hope that you know I was just kidding (being a Courtois) when I made the remark about Cedar Poine. Don’t forget that I know about some of your “antics” as a youngster. I love you guys, and I am glad that you walked away uninjured. BTW, did you see my new Grandson? Maybe you can rent him. Just call Susie and Michael.

  9. grandmothertrucker Says:

    wow…. I don’t think I would stop shaking enough to drive on to Chicago, within 2 hours as well … must have been so surreal for them. Crazy. I’m glad they got out before the other driver slid into them too. I have had people on the cb radio tell me, “black ice? whats that? there’s no such thing.” … yeah, roight (southerners, huh.. ) …….. I have taken care of people who were paralyzed from black ice accidents. They are very lucky to have survived. I am so happy for them. So, do they get a new car now too?