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Show WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER I, 1999 THE SU N 3 J Sleeping and driving: A By deadly Jennifer Peltz Editor-in-Chi- )ennpelchotmail com Seat belt safety is not a new Neither is negligent driving. But topic. both issues have surfaced once again. The recent death of freshman Jessica Luttrell struck a chord m me. She drifted off to sleep while dnving on State Route 18, rolling her truck. The incident seemed eenly similar to what happened to me in October I was headed out to a seminar in Orem, a good four hour dnve from St. George. Wanting to amve on time, I took to the freeway at 5 a.m. Sure, I was tired. Yeah, I hadnt gotten enough sleep. But does anybody ever really get enough sleep? Im used to the feeling, its nothing out of the ordinary. While travelling northbound on Interstate 15, 1 started yawning, so I rolled down the window and cranked up the radio. And that worked. For about 15 minutes. Then I felt my eyelids droop. Bemg smart and careful dnver that I thought I was, I pulled off to the side of the highway and took a quick nap. Then it was time to hit the road again, 1 just had to get to the conference on time. I pulled over to catch a few winks of sleep two more times. That should have warned me The next thing I knew, I was jolted awake, dnving half off the road. My reflexes took over and I slammed on the brakes and swerved to the nght. My car went off the road. I remember spinning endlessly, a thick cloud of dust enveloping the cat That feeling of complete and utter helplessness consumed me as I just braced the Slides myself for what would happen next, I thought I was going to die. The next thing I knew, I was hanging upside-dowsuspended by my seat belt. Everything was still. Sarah McLachlans Building a Mystery broke the silence, drifting through the car speakers. Dust filled the am m the early morning sunlight that had begun to peak over the mountain tops. The first image that flashed through mind was nght out of an action movie. my I saw the car explode and completely engulfed in flames. Panic set in. I fumbled to unbuckle myself, and fell to the ground in a heap. Ignoring my bare feet and shards of glass, I scrambled over the cars which was now the floor roof to get to the door Everythings going to be OK, everythings all nght, I kept saying to myself Swinging my leg over the side of the cai; I began to climb out. The car was tilted slightly to the side, and as I moved, my weight upset the balance. As soon as I stepped out, the car shifted and pinned my foot underneath it, forcing me to the ground. I was stunned. The cars frame dug into my leg as I struggled to lift it, but it didnt budge an inch. Stones filled my mmd, stones of unfortunate accident victims whose limbs had to be amputated. Reaching inside, I blasted the hom and began screaming, hoping and praying that someone had seen me go off the road. After a few minutes, I gave up hope of receiving outside help My basic survival instincts took over as I began to frantically claw at the dirt, trying to dig my leg out from underneath. After several unsuccessful minutes, a car stopped and a man rushed out to help Enlargements But he couldnt lift the car off either So he called 911 as he helplessly stood over Film to Video me. Two other men humed over and together they raised the car enough for me to yank my foot out I just lay there with How my face against the ground, Cameras Video Equipment Used Equipment Digital Cameras www.cameracountry.com 628-393- 7 691 E. St. George Blvd. (700 E. & St. George Blvd d ) Everyone said how lucky I was. lucky to be wearing a seat belt, lucky that I didnt hit any cars, lucky to be alive. The patrol officer said I should have been paralyzed from the neck down from such an accident. I have come to terms with the fact that I am not Superwoman, I cant do it all The whole ordeal was a very humblmg experience, and I am so much more apprelife ciative and grateful for what I have But there is a nny voice nagging me inside. If I would've written about my mis- The Sun takes, Jessica might be alive today Maybe she would have been more aware and more cautious dnving home Unfortunately, theres no way of predicting these types of things. Please take my story to heart. Dont the wheel if youre tired, and behind get always, always, wear a seat belt This has I been said a million and one times and nobody really grasps the full know until it hapimpact of such a statement I hope it never does. But them to pens Dnve safely How to Reach Us 25 COLLEGE LIFE: (tisoouat ocept Newsroom mt s tented to one coupon par customer Csto-ne- roust retnowsti sducad aid is not valid cocpoa it timed nrrchase.CoopoonairnoMie-with other coupons offers or discounts OttevaW at lined pjrthas onk and nay not be discounted or credited to past or future purchases. Pioducts and semces yary by kci'ion Couppi void where prohibited or restricted by Otter - tat No AT KINKOt USTED 628-707- LOCATION (435) 652 7882 Fax (435) 656 40 J 9 luddixu.sun(fi full) Hsun JuAmail com dun cdu ONlt 0 5 E. ST. GEORGE BLVD. Uinlio's kinkos Express YourselF - (435) 6527818 Advertising cash value. VALID Z Dixie College, Jennings Tch. Bldg., Rm 109 225 So. 700 East St George, UT 84790 is applicable on all reeutarty (meed Ktnko's products and postage shppmg. gift cert it cate puntase and vrieocan ferenciag This 6sount cannot be used ut axnbmat m with volume pne sale lens and spec el otters or other Bisects euslca bid 25 servtes A NIHT BEFORE 'and stUl get yourfull threehoarsof sleep. OFF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES OU COULD START YOUR S'S -- Transfer Passport Photos crying could I have let this happen ' I glanced down at my ankle, afraid of what I might see. It had turned a rainbow of colors, and my ennre foot was swelling more and more by the minute. The ambulance rushed me to the hospital, where I discovered I had a fractured ankle. I was sentenced to crutches (which I am finally nd of), and now all that is left is an scar a slight limp, and images that will remain with me much longer than the mark on my leg ON PARER TfjE a fmu w;rcr - DPQI 24 AAD15S HOURS WWWJUWDSX8M 1231M The Sun is distrii uttd Lacli NXicJikmI ly luru g h ill an J Spring semesters as a publication of Dixit Colkgt us Am Urttrs and Stunccs and Dixie Cotkgc Siuduu Activities 1 he unsigned editorial on die Sun as duernntiid by us e Jl opinion page represents the position oflhe tonal board Otherwise the view and opinions ixprtsst J tn The Sun are those of the tndisndual writers and do nor necessarily reflect d opinions of The bun or any entity of die college Letter to the editor must bt typed and inclule die name and telephone number of the authot Only the name will be pnmed Names The Sun reserves the right to are not withheld under any circumstance. edit letter for length and taste Letter must be submitted by noon on Friday for rise Wednesday paper. |