WARNING: This is not a Happy Post

Readers: This post it heartbreaking, to me at least.

I feel led to do this, so I am.

Friday, September 17, 2010, 9:46pm

I placed a 9-1-1 call.

I needed Cheese Blintzes with strawberries from I-Hop.

I left my house about 9, picked up said blintzes, rented Date Night from Redbox, then headed back home to the hubby.

I got stuck at the light getting off my exit.

THANK GOD

If I hadn't I would have seen it, maybe been in it.

I pulled around the corner and neared the stoplight by Rookies in St. Charles.

As I did, I knew something wasn't right.

There was a large black truck smoking and 2 cars parked and unmanned at the light.

I put my car in park, grabbed my phone, and stepped out of my car.

I dialed 9-1-1 at 9:46pm

I assessed the scene,

Truck steaming, front end smashed, unmanned.

Extended Cab truck in ditch, upside down, 2 men trying to remove people.

Body laying on the side of the road, likely ejected from one of the vehicles.

I, like everyone else, assumed he was dead.

So what then?

What would you do?

Would you assume he was dead and move away?

OR Would you give his life a chance and try CPR?

I asked for help.

I was far from him and yelled for people who weren't to check to see if he was breathing.

I got waved off, "He's dead" said one man.

REALLY? IS HE? DID YA CHECK?

Shortly after a man went to check. No, he was not breathing.

A woman, I wish I knew her name to thank her, to shout from the rooftops that she tried.

To bake her dinner for remembering this man is a human being, someone's son, someone's love, someone's dad.

She did CPR as I yelled instruction, then ran over to check on the little boy who had been pulled from the mess.

He and his dad thankfully walked away with minor injuries.

They had their seat belts ON.

I went into the street to tell everyone to move their cars and make room for the 6 ambulances that were required and the 9-1-1 operator disconnected as help came their way.

I do not know the man's name who was pulled from the wreckage who suffered a broken neck, back, ribs, you name it- but I know he needs your prayers to pull out of it.

I also do not know the man's name who lost his life that night. I do know he was, in fact, a daddy of a 5 year old little boy. I also know his family desperately needs your prayers too.

UPDATE: BillyJack Dorlaque is this man's name. Please pray for his son, Carter and the rest of those who loved him.

I do know that Diffusion of Responsibility (Please read article) is a real thing.

I saw it in action.

So I am sorry to do this to you (I honestly, partially am)

But I am putting the responsibility on you.

I hope you never forget this post.

When something similar happens to you,

YOU call 9-1-1.

Even if several hundred people are with you,

YOU call- if the call has been placed by another person, they will disconnect with you.

You will have TRIED.

YOU CHECK to see if the person is alive, breathing.

YOU do CPR.

It's IS hard to do, it IS tiring.

It is also what may save a life.

YOU MAY SAVE A LIFE.

No excuses. Keep gloves in your car.

Buy a mask from the American Red Cross.

There are MILLIONS of locations and the masks cost $14.00 for 2, a child's size and an adult size.

This mask will prevent bodily fluids from coming into contact with you.

I am sorry, I know it is scary, I was scared. No one wants to check a dead body. Someone has to do it though. You never know if a person has a chance if you don't try to save them.

I know this is a photography blog.

I know readers don't click on my blog to read something so terrible,

then be challenged to do something terrifying.

I am sorry for that.

Honestly though, I would be more scared of how your life would be affected if you chose not to act, chose not to try, chose to be taken over by diffusion of responsibility.

If I had done nothing, I would never let myself live it down.

I know I did what I could do, and I pray that you all will do the same.

I wrote this post in honor of the man who lost his life, and the man who is fighting for his.

I hope my readers understand.

Love, Amy

*I want to add that there was a man who helped the woman with CPR. I believe he may have done some breaths while she did compressions. This is why the ratio was 15:2, because there were 2 people and that is how 9-1-1 directed it for 2. I did not get a good look at the man. I know there is some hurtful confusion right now for friends and family. No, I did not see the man who was described to me giving CPR, but that does not mean he did not. I may have just missed it while going out into the street to move traffic or check on the other injuries. I do not want to discredit anyone's story, I am sure I missed several details in the time I was there. I am very sorry I do not have the answer I know you are looking for.