3.25.2008

My Brush with a Suicide Attempt (NOT MINE!!!!!!)

Yesterday I was driving home from work and just thinking about how boring my drive home was everyday. I was sitting at one of the busiest intersections in Orem. University Parkway and State Street (that is where University Mall is). I was heading south on State street just waiting at the stoplight when I see this woman trying to get out of the car on the passenger side. This was taking place in the car that was next to me on the left side and I couldn't figure out what was going on but then quickly realized the the driver was desperately trying to keep this person inside the car (for obvious reasons). The light turned green and everybody started going. I decided to stay put as I was blocking traffic from hitting this girl that was trying to flee the car. It then became very apparent to me that the girl was handicap. I yelled out my window and asked the lady if she needed help (the driver of the car) and she said "YES." She then asked that I call 911. I of course obliged and had a very juvenille conversation with the 911 dispatcher. I take it a lot of morons call 911 because the dispatcher kept asking me dumb questions. Then the wimp in me started to emerge...what if the handicap lady starts hitting me (which she probably would have) and pushes me into the traffic. DON'T worry, I didn't leave I stayed there and 2 other ladies and I ran over to the car.

It turns out this woman was trying to commit suicide by running out into oncoming traffic. Her sister (the driver) was just trying to take her to some mental health clinic and the handicap girl decided mid-trip that she did not want to live anymore and was going to kill herself right then and there. Apparently the suicidal lady had suffered from a brain tumor and was actually more coherent than I thought. At first I thought it was a mentally handicap person who startled and just wanted out, but then I soon realized it was a crazy lady trying to kill herself. Apparently the sweet little dear was planning on running out and throwing herself in front of a car. There is a good chanceI WOULD HAVE BEEN THE CAR to hit her. (I was picking up on all of this while speaking with the 911 dispatcher and trying to keep this girl from killing herself, WHILE we were on STATE street in Orem). The dispatcher kept asking me questions like "how old is she, is she on medication, what kind of medication is she on." Can I just tell you those where the LAST things I was worried about. As far as I was concerned they needed to know that there was a suicide attempt going on MID-TRAFFIC in 5 o'clock traffic and our location. The mediciation this woman was on (but currently not taking) was unimportant. Don't worry, I was still nice to the dispatcher though. Hey, I am just glad I can multi-task.

I felt bad enough for the nice lady trying to help her sister out and didn't want to cause any more of a scene than was necessary. She was a very decent looking, upper class looking lady and I could tell she was quite frazzled by the whole thing. She said "this has been quite the week with her." Then the suicidal woman kept promising she would be good and that she wanted to go back to "Chases" house. The sister said "NO WAY, I am not driving with her ANYWHERE." I of course did not blame her.

The police arrived and no one was hurt thank goodness. I took off because the police said I didn't need to stay.

Sorry if this story doesn't make sense or is jumbled. I am just glad I didn't witness an actual suicide take place. Further more, I am glad I DIDN'T hit her!!! I am also glad that I stuck to the feeling that I had that I shouldn't move on with traffic when the light turned green because I was able to block traffic from hitting this girl. I was a wimp though...I gotta be more brave next time. I don't act wimpy, in fact, I am quite the opposite I take charge, but on the inside Jenn=BIG WUSS!!!

8 comments:

Aaron + Kayti said...

dang girl thats intense! but for the record you are not a wuss . . hello you just practically saved a persons LIFE! mercy, what an interesting experience.

Jordan and Chandra Smith said...

That is a funny story. It's moments like that, that make for interesting conversations!
No, the adoption process is taking a lot longer than expected so we are hoping for finalization this summer!

Leisha Mareth said...

Oh my gosh! Way to go! I would have been a total mess!

Saedi said...

Wow, that was quite the story! I think you did an awesome job, not wussy at all. I found your blog through Alyson's. I think we've only met once, but I'm Dan's wife (Levor's son). It's so fun to see your blog! Here's ours www.saedio.blogspot.com

Take care cutie! Hope we get to see you soon!

Erica said...

way to be a good citizen. more than just the lady is pleased with your efforts.

Jodi said...

What a crazy story Jenn. It seems like you have always had crazy stories like this throughout your life. Wasn't there that one incident involving a cracked windshield. What was that story again?

Yo' Mama said...

Crazy indeed. Doesn't UT have the highest prozac medicated population in the country? Way to be calm though and help the situation. Glad to see you are doing good! I also love the way you set up your blog...very classy.

Anonymous said...

You write very well.