We are just going to jump right in today.

So for anyone that doesn’t know, right now I get to experience all the joys of a long-distance relationship. And while that had some sarcastic undertones, there are definitely many joys and things to be thankful for while doing distance. But, I am not here to talk about my relationship, but it does help set the scene for this post.

Last weekend, I decided to drive to Charlotte, North Carolina. This was my first ever road trip, of this caliber, by myself. From Carmel, where I live, to Charlotte, where Carlos lives, it’s roughly 9 hours.

Road trip!

Now, most people would be like “geez Madeline, 9 hours by yourself is kind of a lot.” And those people would be right, but you do what you have to do when you love someone, right?

Last week I was so excited to go see Carlos. The days went by slow as my anticipation and excitement built up. Finally, Friday was here. I went to work early so I could leave early in the afternoon. After finishing up what I needed do, I hit the road. *Cue Life is a highway.*

I turned on Crime Junkie (because why wouldn’t I learn about the worlds most famous killers, murders, and missing people reports while I am driving by myself 9 hours across the country?)

I am 2 and a half episodes in when my day would take an unexpected turn. Up in the distance I see a silver car twisting through the air about 70 meters in front of me. The car, traveling west had flipped over the median and landed, upside down, in front of me. I slammed my breaks and swerved around the vehicle, immediately stopping. Luckily everyone traveling east had time to react and get out of the way without causing further accidents. In a panic, I call 911. As I take in the scene, I see a person laying in the median. Another couple rushed to her. With adrenaline coursing through me, I quickly try and describe where I am and the circumstances. Cars continue to swerve around the accident moving on with their travels.

Knowing that I can perform CPR if needed, I run over to the woman, praying that today would not be the day I would need to do that. She was alive, and clearly paralyzed, able to speak, unable to move. The couple knelt over her, shielding her from the traffic continuing around the scene. I stay on the phone until police arrive and then stepped back to give them space to care for her.

As I stay and wait for instructions on what I can do, I notice the people in their cars. Slowing down, only temporarily to take in the scene before continuing on their route. I see phones everywhere. People were leaning out of their car window attempting to take photos of her, of her car, of her trauma. I was so angry. How could it not seem obvious that this was someones life here. This wasn’t a Facebook post. This wasn’t entertainment. This was a person.

I was so troubled, not only by the gruesomeness of the accident, but the gruesomeness of the observers. The worst day of this woman’s life would live as a photo in a passerby’s camera roll. I understand the curiosity of the mind. However, the curiosity of the mind was overruling decency and respect for another life. And that is just my point, that was someone’s life. Life feels too disposable in today’s age. I think there has been a devastating loss of value in life. I am so tired of peoples lives being sensationalized. It is so important for people to recognize what a life means. Not for clout, not because of social media, but because that is a person. A person.

I cannot provide any update on the woman. Though I have tracked the news, hoping to see some positive update that she would be okay, there simply aren’t any updates. I pray for her, her family, and those that love her. I hope that she can recover and that she can have a long and happy life, even if it looks different than the one she knew.

Yes, I made it to Charlotte and had an amazing time, but I can’t help but come back home heavier because of what I saw. I pray to God that I never have to witness something like that again, but I also pray that the observer of the inevitable crashes in the future be wisened. A life is so much more than the passing click of a camera. Have the discipline and decency to have respect.