What Happened?

I've had so many questions on what really happened that I thought I'd share it with you all. What we know came from eyewitnesses at the accident site via the MN Highway Patrol Officer. A big thank you to those that helped Cole that day at the accident. We don't know who you are but know that we are very thankful that you specifically were there that day. If by chance you read this, please let us know who you are.



So here goes...on Tuesday, May 26, Cole left St. Cloud, MN heading for home on I-94. Unknowingly to Cole, the traffic had come to a dead stop on the interstate due to bridge/road construction that started that day. Unexpectedly he came upon this backed up, stopped traffic miles before the construction site or warning signs. Instead of rear-ending a semi, he turned to the right to avoid the collision, then probably realized he was headed into the ditch so he then cranked it left, went across the left lane, hit the shoulder and tried one last time to gain control by turning right again. The car (Chevy Blazer) then started to roll 3 to 4 times according to eyewitnesses. At one point they saw Cole get ejected from the car 20-30 feet in the air, land on the ground and the car stopped rolling 3 feet in front of him. Cole was wearing his seat belt because it was still latched in the car after the accident. Cole always wore his seat belt which was confirmed by his friends that visited him in the hospital. Thankfully, he did not hit any other cars stopped on the interstate nor did he go across to the west bound lanes. There is no other explanation than God's angels took him from the car, carried him through the air, put him down on the ground and stood there to stop the car!!



Cole was conscious after the accident. He told the rescue workers his name, birthdate and his dad's cell phone number. That day Mark had gone to the health club after work. He normally works out and then heads to the sauna/hot tub for 15-30 minutes. But that day, he had forgotten his swimming trunks so he quit early. The minute he opened his locker his cell phone began to ring. It displayed "unknown" so typically he wouldn't answer his phone but that day he felt like he should answer it. It's the phone call all parents never want to get, "This is the St. Cloud hospital, your son has been in a car accident." They told him Cole was conscious and talking so don't rush. Mark then called me. I happen to be home early that day otherwise I would have been at a client's office an hour away. When I left that client that afternoon, I spoke to Cole on the phone. He said he was in St. Cloud heading home but would first stop at the grocery store to get something to make for supper. Oh by the way, he is an excellent cook!! I said, OK with me, I'll see you at home. Little did I know this was probably 15 minutes before the accident. Before leaving St. Cloud, he also called his sister to see if she needed a ride home from the library. She said she would wait for Dad to pick her up. Another thanks be to God otherwise she may have been in the car with him (typically Cole often played chauffeur for his twin 16 year old sisters).



My husband told me to stay at home and he'd call me after he got to the ER. Yeah, right!! I called the ER and talked to the doctor who said Cole was talking but repeating the same questions over and over. My daughter and I headed into St. Cloud but as usual I was on fumes and didn't have enough gas to get to the hospital. At this point I did not know where the accident had occurred so I had unknowingly driven by the accident site which was all cleared up by then. After I pulled off I-94, I quickly pulled into a gas station, put in gas and got back to the stoplight to continue to the hospital. As I waited at the stoplight (first in line) what would drive in front of us, the tow truck with Cole's horribly smashed car on the trailer. Abi and I began to cry (really cry!) and proceeded to follow the truck. I probably was in shock because at one point Abi finally said, "Mom, just pass the car." (novel idea?!)



When I reached the ER, I expected to find a son I wouldn't recognize based on the hunk of metal I just saw earlier. Instead, he lifted his hand, gave me a smile and a "I'm OK, mom" kiss. He had some dirt on his face, a small cut on his forehead, a couple small cuts on his head but all too small for stitches, a few scraps on his chest, arms and legs and shoulder seat belts marks. They did a full body CT scan and found he had broken his pelvic bone in two places but no damage to his brain and spinal column. He had complete feeling in his toes and fingers but couldn't raise his left leg because of his broken pelvic bone. Another miracle!! The patrol officer said Cole has involved in a "very violent rollover and he was very lucky to be alive." I know it's not luck...he's blessed to be alive. Cole did ask the same questions over and over like what happened, where did it happen and was anyone else in the car? We laughed because one of the questions he asked over and over was, "how are my pearly whites?" His front teeth had a few chips in them but overall looked fine. His face could have been smashed but wasn't and he was worried about his "pearly whites!" (He does have a beautiful smile!) Another miracle!!



The next morning the neurologist did an MRI of his brain and found everything to be normal no damage to the tissues of his brain. Cole's heart also had an irregular heartbeat that they were monitoring but that too had gone back to normal by morning. The nurses said it was probably the shock to his system and it just needed some time. Miracles abound!!



Cole does not remember anything of that day before or after the accident. The doctor said he's not concerned about that and Cole may never get those 24 hours back. I pray he never does if that's what's best for him.

Thanks to all the family and friends that visited Cole in the hospital, called, sent cards or care packages. You can not imagine how much that was appreciated by all of us especially Cole.

So that's Cole's story...God's miracle!! He's now on the long road of recovery so thanks for your continual prayers for him.

If you want to share an encouraging thought to Cole, just click on "Comment" below.


Thanks,
Joleen, Cole's Mom

PS: If you or someone you know drives a Chevy Blazer, please check out what we found out at http://www.rolloverlawyer.com and you might reconsider.