I was driving home yesterday listening to the Michael Baisden show (as I usually do) and thinking about nothing in particular (as I usually do). There is a large intersection at the foot of a bridge right before you get to the street where I live. A kid on a motorcycle drove right past me (going eastbound) and two police cars darted past me in pursuit of this kid. This was not unusual because it's spring and it's Philly... the cops here are always chasing somebody... it's the spring ritual. However, this time... it was different. Then, three more police cars and a paddy wagon came up behind me and drove around me. Another police car drove up the street and blocked traffic. Three more police cars came racing down the street and now, I saw a fire rescue truck coming too. I thought to myself, what is going on here?
When I saw a tow truck, I knew that something was afoot. The light turned green and I drove pass the large intersection at the foot of the bridge and finally made it to my house. I could see a crowd of people running towards the crest of the intersection I just passed. I parked my car, grabbed my cell phone, and headed towards the action... anything to break the monotony of what was a mundane day.
What I saw when I got to the corner is simply hard to describe unless you actually saw it. The kid who passed me on the motorcycle had slanted his bike and run underneath a parked car, moving the car up into the air, and then, having it land on top of him. The car was on top of the kid, who was still on the bike, laying sideways with blood running everywhere. How this kid did this is still unknown and inconceivable to me.
The fire department and fire rescue trucks came and some of the men in the neighborhood tried desperately to lift the car off of the kid... all to no avail. Finally, the firemen used some type of hydraulic lift to remove the parked car but, it was too late. The young man died almost as soon as the car was lifted off of him. He was literally broken in half. I've never seen anything quite like that before in my life. The neighborhood activists were already starting... "That's messed up!" "They chased that boy to his death! That's messed up!"
I don't know why the police were chasing the young man but, chances are, it was not for nothing. He probably had done something... it's not uncommon. My neighborhood has been hit with a rash of burglaries lately and there's a notorious drug corner a few blocks from me. Chances are, the kid was no choir boy. If he attracted that many cops, he couldn't have been... but, in all fairness, I really don't know. I'm just weary and tired of death... tired of seeing life snuffed out before it begins. I'm just tired and I can't go on any more. I've given all of the gory details. I'm just not into this right now.
Perhaps, I'll return tomorrow with something smurfy... it is, after all, the weekend.
24 comments:
omg wow! that is so sad!! may his soul rest in peace
Wow Keith, im really sorry you had to see that.
RIP to the young boy
I have seen too many people injured and even killed working with unsafe car equipment. It seems to be all about the bottom dollar to most manufacturers which is why you have to be very careful when purchasing new machinery.
Wow, That's messed up !
Damn Keith, what a thing to see.
Sorry you had to witness that Keith!
What a horrible tragedy! I pray for the soul of the young man and for peace to his family.
Awww Keith, so sorry you had to witness such a horrific accident..
I hope you're okay!
Oh my God, that is something else..
I hope his soul can rest in peace...
That is sooo sad... I wouldn't want to witness anything like that!
A very sad and horrific accident..
True Blogger/Journalist that you are, you gave us a poignant and personal look at the event. Good job.
That's Just terrible Keith..To witness such a thing.
My Prayers are with that young man's family.
I'm so sorry for you Keith..Witnessing such a horrific accident.
RIP to the young man...I hope I never witness anything like that.
When I'm driving ,I'm always so nervous when people are in front of me on Motorcycles or Bikes for that very reason.
I used to ride a Motorcycle...I saw an accident that was nearly like that,except that the rider got off of the bike before it hit the car. That was something!
Incredibly tragic accident, I will
keep that young man's family in my prayers.
It's been quite a month for ya bruh...Keep ya head up!
@Used Bucket Trucks-What has unsafe car equipment got to do with this? The kid was on a Motorcycle that slid up under a parked car..Did you even read the post?
Keith,
When I saw the report on the news i immediately connected the closeness of the location to your home. OMG, what a sight to see!! What a dilemma the police face each time they chase a suspect, particularly because here in Philly, even if a person is caught "red-handed," there is no guarantee that justice will follow.
RIP to the young boy. I hate to see a body covered with a sheet. Send chills down my spine.
The unwritten rule down here is that the cops dont chase the bikers, not for speeding because somebody will definitely be going to the hospital.
Hi Keith,
Sorry for dropping by so late. I can see where this would bother you...if would have had the same affect on me. From your post to Rawdawgs...just leaves you heartbroken...i know, but even in these times we must still look at the Good, continue to love, care, concern and passion to all we come across...in other words we can't prevent these tragedies, but we can show compassion for all of the victims, despite their crimes...i know you do Keith, otherwise it wouldn't have affected you so. I hope despite this you had peaceful and joyful weekend, spent some time with grandkids and wife...that seems to always bring a smile to your face.
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