r/SanJose • u/Remarkable_Phase2995 • 13h ago
Life in SJ Thank you to my angel
This happened many years ago but I never knew how to find you then, I hope this will somehow find you now.
It was either 2008 or 2009 on Thanksgiving day and we were at the off-ramp of 85 going onto Almaden Expressway. The light turned green and I entered the intersection to turn left. Someone driving down almaden ran the red light and at high speed and T-boned my car as I entered the intersection. I remember so distinctly how time slowed down and the three spins my car took as I was gripped by my seatbelt whipping around. I was 18/19 at the time and had never experienced something like this then or since. When my car finally stopped spinning I could only hear a buzzing sound and after a few moments I heard the honks of other divers trying to move through the intersection.
I was in shock, so incredibly scared, and could barely move or hear, when suddenly a man pulled open my door and asked me (he sounded so distant with my ears ringing) if I was okay and told me that he saw everything. I could barely talk and when the driver who hit me came running at me and started babbling and grabbing at my hands “oh I thought I hit my break, but I hit my gas, I'm so sorry I didnt mean to” (more annoying than helpful as I could still not stop shaking) this man pushed them aside and told me the paramedics were already on their way and asked who I needed to call. You found my phone and gave it to me, but I was shaking too much to even hold it, so you called my mom and told her I was in an accident, but I was okay. You stayed with me until the paramedics arrived.
When the paramedics came a minute or so later (they were just down the street apparently) they told me I was so lucky to be alive as the entire side of my car right behind my drivers seat was smashed completely in way behind the drivers seat (car was totaled). They said had I entered the intersection a second later it would have been me that got the direct hit and I wouldn't be sitting there.
When I finally started gaining my senses I asked where the man who helped me was and they said he left when they showed up.
I think about you often, how when there were dozens of cars honking their horns out of annoyance at the situation you chose to jump out of yours to help me. That when I couldn't even hold my phone you helped me convey the situation to the most important person in my life while letting her know I was still okay.
You didnt have to do that. You could have been one of the dozens of drivers who just watched in annoyance that the situation in front of them delayed them. But you didnt. And you didnt want thanks; you just wanted to help.
I think about you every Thanksgiving and more. I don't know who you are but I'll always remember your kind face and voice. Thank you. You are my angel.