That morning, we did not leave at our usual 5 or 6 a.m. departure time. For whatever reason, it took two hours to load the bags and kids into the minivan (and have them use the bathroom beforehand). We left around 8 instead, so there was traffic. We headed westbound for a couple of hours and then up the interstate, which currently has two lanes. We were driving in the fast lane in a 2008 Toyota Sienna LE.
At the moment of impact about three hours in, we were being loving toward each other, just chit-chatting about about being wise with money or something like that. We weren't on the phone or eating or anything. None of the kids were being distracting either, and they can be at times. Lucas was watching the Minions movie Grandma had given us for Christmas. Isaac was being quiet and playing a game on my phone. Naomi, who needs to sleep in the car due to motion sickness, was having the best rest she'd ever had on the drive. But she was startled awake by my screaming.
The car in front of us came to a screeching halt, and Manny said, "Careful, careful," while slamming on the brakes as well. We did the best we could, but we still hit it. There's a new center divider in that area, so we couldn't drive offroad to avoid it. It wasn't too bad at first, actually, but then the two cars behind us slammed into us with a little speed, so our engine was further crushed two times, possibly to the point of causing flames to erupt. Once I saw the fire, I yelled to the kids, "Fire, fire! Get out quickly!" I turned around and quickly released Isaac from his carseat and picked him up to carry him out the driver's side door. He said, "I'm scared! I'm scared!" Naomi called out that she could not get the sliding doors open. We directed the kids to get out the driver's side door. We had a huge Original Big Joe beanbag pillow (present from Manny's sister for Christmas) stuffed in the middle of the car, so Lucas had to climb over it quickly to get out. We'd never seen him get out of a car so fast! My glasses had been knocked off my face, but thankfully I was able to find them right away. Manny had his phone, so I didn't bother getting mine till much later.
Once out, I tried to keep the kids close to me by the car, and saw that six cars were involved in the pile-up. The three cars in front of us had made their way across the freeway to the shoulder. One of the drivers asked us to pull over, and I said it wasn't driveable, while thinking, "Are you kidding me? No way are we getting back into a car that was on fire." It was still smoking, and people wondered how the flames went out on their own by the time the firetruck got there. It could have been the cold weather or something leaked on it, but God protected us either way. The car is not a hybrid, it had low mileage, and we'd just had the maintenance service without any issues. The airbags also did not deploy, which is odd for a total loss collision, but later the body shop said that it was because the airbag sensors were just below the biggest level of impact. The car in front of us was higher up (I think it was a van or an SUV, I can't recall). They had to shut down both lanes of the freeway so they could move the last three cars, including ours, over to the shoulder. I'm super sorry that our pile-up caused a lot of traffic. I found out that our friends had been driving on the other side and saw our accident!
The drivers involved were older people, younger people, all Asians except Manny, and all reacted differently. Some came to exchange info right away. Others asked if we were okay and offered us snacks. Manny just gave the police the report and didn't have a whole lot to say. I went back in the car to find my phone, our electronics, the diaper bag, my purse, and some food and drinks. Isaac patted Naomi and said, "I'm sorry, but accidents happen sometimes." The very last car was driven by a young man whom Naomi called "The Excited Guy." He was really excited. He wasn't angry at any of us, but definitely in a tough situation. His airbag had gone off and hit his face. He apparently was driving someone else's car (possibly his dad's), so he did not have insurance information. He had a dashcam, and it was helpful to prove that he hadn't been tailgating or speeding. He ended up researching all our cars, and apparently the first car was the one with the best brakes, so the rest of us would not be able to stop as quickly as they had, even with fast reaction times. We were later told that the first car had allegedly been cut off by another car in a dangerous way, had slammed on their brakes, causing the chain reaction for the rest of us.
As we waited for the three tow trucks to somehow get through the traffic and barricades to get our cars, the kids made the best of it. Naomi started a little picnic for her brothers, including the apple strudel Grandpa had made that Grandma packed for us for the road with napkins and utensils (thank you!). Isaac played with the dirt and debris because he's that kind of kid. Lucas thought over and shared his escape plan in the event that this happens again. He comes up with them from time to time. I didn't want to bother with all the insurance info exchange and pictures, so I only did that for a little while. I was focused on keeping the kids from running into the freeway and finding someone to transport us and our minivan somewhere so we could figure out what to do next.
Where was this somewhere? We were out in the middle of the state, too far to call family in one direction or friends in the other, unless we absolutely had to. We had two people with large-enough vehicles offer to come get us, but we really didn't want anyone to make a five- or six-hour trip if we could find another way out, especially with all the luggage and presents. The closest rental car places were an hour away in any direction, and none of them had any minivans or SUVs due to the holidays.
I then got to see why AAA Insurance was so highly recommended to me by my coworkers way back when. At first, it sounded like they weren't going to be able to help get us even get out of there. But once we got transferred to Claims and got that going, our agent pulled a lot of strings and worked with us for two days to take care of us. The agent had to call the car rental area manager, and eventually they rented us a brand new, large truck which was supposed to be reserved for a special client. They had to have two people come drop it off with us at the motel, and then go all the way back in their other vehicle. I know that was a lot of trouble, and the office we were working with only had two people working that day due to the holidays, so they probably had to get someone else to do it. The other issue was not being able to tow our car back home. No tow companies would go that far, so AAA got a special transport to do that for us. I probably was on the phone for five hours total, but we finally got out of there by 3 pm the day after the accident. Excited Guy was in a room near us, and Manny went to check on him and keep him company. Eventually his mom came and got him a little before we left. Manny and I were still a little shaken up and not feeling great about getting back in car and into the traffic again. At least by then his toes and neck had healed. It was raining and getting dark, and we passed another accident on the way, but we finally made it home. Thank you, Jesus!
The car was deemed a total loss by the body shop, and I also lost the Minions DVD, two Christmas CDs, and a Bible Songs CD that all three kids liked. They jumpered the car, but the players wouldn't turn on. Insurance will hopefully cover the entire value of the car, so we'll be able to get another one, hopefully before the year-end sales are over. We also had to replace Isaac's car seat, but insurance will thankfully cover all it. Isaac has brought up the accident several times since Sunday, saying "Remember you and Papi were driving in the car, and two cars hit us, and it got on fire?" Naomi said she doesn't want to think about it too much, but now would like to bike instead of drive when she's older. Lucas says he has the escape plans should we ever need them. Thanks, buddy.
Fireman checking out our car. The policeman had escorted us across the freeway. I started taking photos about an hour after the collision, when it was safer and we weren't so much in shock.
Naomi preparing a picnic for her and her brothers. She's always been one to take charge and be resourceful. Now she'd like to do a Boxcar Children day.
A partial shot of all six cars. Ours is in front of this white car in the center (which hit us).
Naomi taking care of Isaac.
The majority of the damage was sustained right under the hood. It didn't look that bad at first till I looked inside.
We probably would have been hurt if we were in a smaller car.
You can't tell, but half of what's under the hood is all smashed together or in pieces.
The tow truck finally coming to the motel at night to transport our car.
Breakfast the next morning from McD's across the street from our motel.
AAA hooked us up, and we got a car big enough to fit almost everything (except the giant pillow). Manny bought a bungee cord and we used our picnic blanket as a tarp. It was raining for the first half hour of our drive, but dry thereafter.
