Motorcycle Accident

This morning I witnessed an awful motorcycle/pedestrian accident that I will never forget. The face of the pedestrian that was sprawled out unconscious in the intersection is an image that is permanently engrained in my mind. I will never forget that woman’s face with that blank, lifeless expression. I walked over to help the passenger of the motorcycle and as I was rubbing her back I watched her as she wiggled her toes and fingers covered in blood. It wasn’t until she turned around to see the woman that she had hit that it really hit me. As I was holding her she was asking in a trembling and panicking voice, “¿Mueve? ¡¿Mueve?!” (“Is she moving? Is she moving?!?”). It was so surreal. We both looked over and the pedestrian, with her eyes open, wasn’t moving and was just staring at the sky. I put the lady’s arm over my shoulder so she could hobble over to the woman lying unconscious on the asphalt. By that time the police had already arrived and encouraged everyone to step asid.

It was so crazy to be walking to school and all of a sudden see three people flying through the air directly in my line of vision. I panicked, but at the same time it seemed like everything around me stood still. The intersection that minutes before was filled with speeding cars was all of a sudden filled with people flocking the scene. I was very shook up after this situation, and since my help was no longer needed I realized I had to keep on my way to school. The metro ride to school was a strange experience because I kept wondering about that woman’s condition.

I have always been afraid of motorcycles and other accidents. Some childhood friends of mine’s father died in a motorcycle accident, a student from my high school died in a skateboarding accident, my friend’s aunts/uncles/cousins got in a fatal accident on their way to a theme park, and some students from my high school got in a car accident on their way to a school dance. I think a lot of these incidents have contributed to my fear of driving. Being responsible not only for the people you’re driving but also those around you just seems so scary to me. I guess I should start practicing so I can get good at it and not worry. Easier said than done though.

-Laila