Yesterday afternoon my husband and I were heading to his parents’ house for lunch. We were driving along when we saw a car come flying through the corn field to the right of us.
“What the hell is he DOING?” I asked, thinking that some idiot was joyriding through the field.
Cleatus slammed on his brakes and pulled over to the side of the road. “He’s not doing that on purpose,” Cleatus said as he whipped our car around to follow whoever was driving this out of control car.
I grabbed my phone and dialed 911 as we watched the car go faster and faster, flying over hills and getting quite a bit of air before landing again. Finally the car came to a stop just at the edge of the corn field, about 500 feet from a house.
I told the 911 operator where we were as Cleatus pulled in to the driveway and took off running to help whoever was in the car.
Another man pulled up to help as Cleatus was banging on the car windows trying to wake up the unconscious man inside. Cleatus noticed a window that was rolled down and reached in to unlock the doors and turn the car off. The car had come to a stop but the man’s foot was still jamming down the gas pedal which had somehow caught the corn on fire at the back of the car.
At this point not only was the corn on fire but the back end of the car was on fire as well. The man inside finally woke up but was so confused and scared that he refused to get out of the car. Cleatus and the other man that stopped to help finally dragged him out of the car as I stood at the edge of the field and shouted helpful things like “IT’S GOING TO BLOW UP, JUST GET HIM OUT, HURRY UP, CLEATUS BE CAREFUL, OMG IT’S GOING TO BLOW UP.”
Seeing the back end of that car, WHERE THE GAS TANK IS, burn and burn and burn some more while my husband stood at the open door helping a man climb out is something that I will never forget. Never.
The two men helped Justin, the kid (okay, so he was in his early twenties, but he LOOKED younger than that and anyone younger than me is a kid) who had been driving the car, walk away from the burning car. Justin insisted he could walk, but he seemed to be having trouble moving his left leg. He said it didn’t hurt, it wasn’t broke, and WHY did we keep insisting his leg was broke. It turns out that he was right, his leg WASN’T broken, he was just having a hard time getting it to work properly.
As we were waiting for the police to arrive I asked Justin what happened. He looked up at me from his seat on the grass with the most confused look I’ve ever seen.
“Whose car is that? What’s it doing in that field?” Justin had no idea that he had just driven that car there himself.
The police, fire department, and ambulance all arrived. Justin insisted that he hadn’t been driving that car and that no, he hadn’t taken any drugs or drank any alcohol. He was just on his way home from church and nope, he didn’t have ANY IDEA how he came to be sitting on the grass surrounded by a group of people watching a car burn.
The paramedics took him the hospital and Cleatus and I left.
The police called later to let us know that Justin had a seizure, the first he’d ever had, and lost control of the car. He hadn’t been drinking. He hadn’t been doing drugs. He was just heading home from church when he had a seizure and nearly died because of it.
My husband saved that kid’s life. He literally pulled him from a burning vehicle.
I’ve never been so proud of Cleatus in my life.
Nichole says:
Absolutely. insane. Thank god everyone was okay. If I were in that situation, I’m pretty sure my conversation with 911 would have went something like this:
“Some jackass is tearing up a cornfield with their car.”
Luckily, Cleatus is smarter than I.
Nicholes last blog post..How sweet it is.
November 24th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
kd@abitsquirrelly says:
Wow…That all could have ended so different and badly had is not been for Cleatus. Thank goodness you were at the right place at the right time.
November 24th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
feener says:
holy cow !! thank god everyone is ok.
feeners last blog post..hummmm
November 24th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
the planet of janet says:
wow. just … WOW!
the planet of janets last blog post..Weekly Winners: November 16-22
November 24th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
much more than a mom says:
Holy crap. That’s amazing. Good for you guys – many people would have kept driving or called 911 and stood back.
November 24th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Nan says:
Yikes. Okay, Cleatus gets another seven years.
Nans last blog post..Was It The Wine?
November 24th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
Texan Mama says:
OMG that totally sounds like a scene out of Dukes of Hazzard!!! Were you driving the General Lee? With a carseat and a booster seat in the back???
Texan Mamas last blog post..Finding Peace
November 24th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
TL says:
WOW! You better get Cletus a cape for Christmas. With a Big S on it!
Way to go Cletus!
TLs last blog post..Nightmare… continued
November 24th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Shannon says:
Cleatus earned him some karma for Christmas!
November 24th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Shannon says:
PS-Why does the CommentLuv thing never work for me when I post comments?
Shannons last blog post..Blog Action Day: Follow Up
November 24th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Shannon says:
Wait, it worked for the second comment! Gah? What does that mean?
Shannons last blog post..Blog Action Day: Follow Up
November 24th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
Melissa says:
Oh my that is scary and amazing all at the same time:)
Melissas last blog post..What the F*ck Friday!!
November 24th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
Petra says:
Holy shit, I just got the most killer set of goosebumps! I can’t believe that happened to you guys. Way to go Cleatus for being a fucking superhero!!
Give him my props!
Petras last blog post..The Wise (*Young*) Mommy: The Early Years
November 24th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Gina says:
Wow – that is scary. My dad once pulled our elderly neighbor from his burning house. he didn’t want to leave and was fighting my dad with surprising strength. I was so proud of him, but he was embarrassed by the attention he received.
Ginas last blog post..I Don’t Bake
November 24th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
12ontheinside says:
Yikes! That is pretty cool that he was able to do that! Must have been very scary.
12ontheinsides last blog post..Behave!
November 24th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
Zephra says:
Wow!
Zephras last blog post..Twilight review
November 24th, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Suzi says:
Holy crap, Karly! Justin’s mama is going to have the best Thanksgiving ever!Cleatus rules!
Suzis last blog post..5KX5
November 24th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
Mary says:
What a great story. Your husband is a hero!
Marys last blog post..Just Another Manic Monday #143
November 24th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Monnik says:
Wow! That’s amazing. That kid is lucky you guys were there to save him.
Scary.
Monniks last blog post..Catching Snowflakes on her Tongue
November 24th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
Michelle says:
That really is an amazing story! I would have freaked about the burning car too. I always assume they are going to explode. Awesome job Cleatus!!
November 24th, 2008 at 10:18 pm
Busted says:
Woa! I’m so glad Cleatus and the driver is ok and that no one was hurt.
Busteds last blog post..Thank you craigslist lady and Graco…
November 25th, 2008 at 1:45 am
Kelley says:
Holy shite!
That would have been terrifying.
That Cleatus is one awesome brave dude, give him a big kiss from this Aussie chick.
Kelleys last blog post..GoldenChild-mas
November 25th, 2008 at 5:22 am
Vicky (Secret Mom Thoughts) says:
Wow. Good job Cleatus. Glad everyone is ok.
Vicky (Secret Mom Thoughts)s last blog post..Weekly Winners
November 25th, 2008 at 6:53 am
Lisa says:
Wow…how scary but how awesome of Cleatus!
My husband ran into a burning building once because someone said the owner was still in there. I just called him an asshole and upped his life insurance.
(sidenote” said owner was inside but he was dead. Fell asleep smoking, caught himself on fire. sad)
November 25th, 2008 at 7:56 am
sam {temptingmama} says:
OMG. That gave me chills.
CHILLS.
Thank GOD you guys were there.
November 25th, 2008 at 8:44 am
Valerie says:
WOW!
Valeries last blog post..6 Months old
November 25th, 2008 at 9:39 am
Dory says:
WOW! WOWOWOWOWOWOW!
*BIG goosebumps*
You have every right to be as proud of your husband as humanly possible.
That’s HAWSUM.
November 25th, 2008 at 10:43 am
Cameron says:
Um….WOW. Cleatus, you are the man!! Hope Karly showed you in that special way!!!
Camerons last blog post..I’m Giving It All She’s Got, Captain
November 25th, 2008 at 11:43 am
claire says:
Awesome! It just shows that there is kindess in the world and restores my faith in humanity. (I saved a dog who was hit by a car once but that nothing compared to what your husband did)
claires last blog post..Leopold.
November 25th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Karen Sugarpants says:
Holy crap! So glad you guys were there and that it all worked out alright! What a story!
Karen Sugarpantss last blog post..She’s a Maniac! Maniac!
November 25th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Carol VR says:
I so happy for everyone involved that it was a HAPPY ENDING!!!
Carol VRs last blog post..GET THIS….
November 25th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
Leslie says:
Holy fuck, dude. I mean, wow!
This is the point in my comment where I usually make it all about me, but I just can’t, because I’ve never done anything that awesome. And Dave’s never saved anyone. Except Julia that one time she got up on the monkey bars and was afraid to come down.
November 25th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
Cris says:
Holy crap. Cleatus rocks! Does it make up for the whole sleeping upside down thing though?
Criss last blog post..
November 25th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
Shawna says:
I can believe that the car caught fire. A similar thing happened just outside our place a few years ago: the car got hung up on a snow bank but the tires spun so much they melted a big groove in the asphalt sidewalk. My husband was the dude who got there first while I dialed 911, and and turned the car off and waited with the confused fellow ’til the firetruck arrived. We still don’t know why the guy went off the road and I guess at this point we never will.
November 25th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
Half-Past Kissin' Time says:
Holy cow! Not sure I would have had enough wits to know what to do, either. Sounds like you have a man with character there
Half-Past Kissin’ Times last blog post..Pants on Fire
November 25th, 2008 at 10:48 pm
Trenches of Mommyhood says:
Wow. Amazing. And right before Thanksgiving.
Trenches of Mommyhoods last blog post..What The???? (Yet Another Tidbit of Info You Didn’t Necessarily Need to Know)
November 26th, 2008 at 10:14 am
David King says:
Actually the closest thing I ever did was you, a car swerved one day on our way home from the antique mall and you were on the outside of the sidwalk toward the road walking with one leg on the road and one on the sidewalk and i saw the car swerve inward and pulled you toward me. I doubt it would have hit you but it was real close to you and you never know! :>
David Kings last blog post..Ramblings
November 26th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
Lani says:
Holy CRAP! How scary.
November 26th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
Jessica says:
Wow…that is amazing. Your husband did a wonderful thing!
Jessicas last blog post..Thankful
November 26th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
Auds at Barking Mad says:
Thank God you and your hubby where there. Divine intervention. Young Justin has much to be grateful for this Thanksgiving!
Auds at Barking Mads last blog post..Most Pathetic Blog Post EVER!
November 26th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
Auds at Barking Mad says:
Well shoot! That just ate half of my comments!
I meant to add that your husband did something so remarkable and so selfless…I wonder how many other people would have done the same, in the face of something as scary as a potentially explosive automobile.
Eyeore and Cindy-Lu have a real live hero for a daddy! AWESOME!
Auds at Barking Mads last blog post..Most Pathetic Blog Post EVER!
November 26th, 2008 at 9:43 pm
baseballmom says:
Wow. Just wow. That kid’s family will have a happy Thanksgiving because of you guys. Funny, the first thing I thought when you wrote that he couldn’t remember was ’seizure’. T didn’t remember anything during his seizures either. Lucky him that you guys were there!
baseballmoms last blog post..Loose ends
November 27th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
Pocklock says:
That was intense! Wow. I’m so glad it worked out and that you guys were there! Someone has a lot to be thankful for this holiday season…
Pocklocks last blog post..Lyla Laughing
November 28th, 2008 at 10:32 pm
Mrs. Schmitty says:
You’ve got one awesome man there! Thank God everyone turned out to be okay. What a scary event!
Mrs. Schmittys last blog post..If Today Was Thanksgiving (This Would Be My Post)
November 29th, 2008 at 7:02 am
candygirlflies says:
Wow. Thankful that you were there to help, and even more thankful to hear that everyone is okay.
xoxo CGF
candygirlfliess last blog post..Sae let the Lord be thankit.
November 29th, 2008 at 7:56 am
Stacey says:
Thank you for restoring my faith in humanity. I feel a little bit of cynicism melting away.
Staceys last blog post..The Spirit of Giving
November 29th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Christina says:
I’m with everyone else here. Holy cow! Holy crap! Wow! OMG!
And I would’ve been standing right beside you yelling useful tips.
December 1st, 2008 at 12:31 am
anna see says:
Oh my goodness! This is crazy. The way your husband sprang into action is awesome.
anna sees last blog post..Anna’s Free Gift Guide
December 3rd, 2008 at 9:15 pm
LEON says:
I’ve recently been searching all around for all of this info. Happily I found it at Bing.
February 28th, 2010 at 5:09 am