Well, the odds finally caught up with me. 20 years on the road as a trooper without a scratch. Now, as a civilian, I got into it with a Schneider truck yesterday, in a blizzard here in Wamsutter – the brand, spankin' new driver (he's been on the road for a grand total of 2 weeks) decided since he couldn't see where he was going, just to slow to a crawl and stop in the middle of the hammer lane. I had slowed to 20 mph or so, but knew better than to stop, for fear of being rear ended. Next thing I know, I have the rear cargo doors of a Schneider truck in my windshield. I tried to swerve left and almost missed, but clipped his left rear with my right front.


My beautiful new F350 – destroyed.

The air bag didn't even deploy as I was going so slow, but these new trucks are built to crunch up front on purpose to absorb impact. It works. My front clip was destroyed but other than some sore ribs from the set belt, not a scratch. Radiator, tranny cooler and assorted fluid lines, all the sheet metal, dash and windshield. Trashed.


But, there remains, my poor truck.



Later, I will go to the auto body shop. I hope they total it but I'm afraid they won't and after repair, it just won't be the same outfit. We'll see.



My message and the bottom line here, is I'm good, I'm alive. And so would anyone else who had their seat belt on.



Wear 'm. Get in the habit, and wear 'm. Always.