An Encounter with a Side Dump Gravel Truck just outside of Wasilla, AK
NO ONE WAS HURT
This story has a happy ending.
The accident was only 3 weeks ago yet it is still so fresh in my mind. God was so merciful to us.
We left Trapper Creek after spending the morning with the Sutherland’s and the Anderson’s in the RV park. My best friend (my home Bible Study teacher) that flew from NC to Fairbanks to travel the 2 weeks we were off between projects was with us. We had just stopped at Miller’s Place for lunch and ice cream as the Milepost had advertised it as a Christian place with superb food. Wayne was tiring and I offered to drive us on into Anchorage where we were going to stay for 3 days before driving on to Soldotna, our next project. We wanted to spend a little time in Wasilla before going into Anchorage but there was not a good place to park the RV at the info center so we opted to keep driving.
If you have ever been to Alaska in the summer, there is so much traffic and the motorhomes and travel trailers are too many to count on the highways. Traffic around Fairbanks, Wasilla and Anchorage is horrendous topped off by the numerous highway construction zones. I was coming out of the construction zone, not going more than 30-35 mph, merging back into the southbound lanes. I never dreamed any traffic would be coming out of the construction zone in the right lane and I wanted to get the rig over to the right lane as soon as possible to let anxious vehicles clear. As I was merging into the right lane, a side dump gravel truck, came out of the construction zone and we collided side to side. The top of a gravel truck hit the front awning pole, door and tore off the front upper corner of passenger side of the motorhome. God surely took hold of my hands. I pulled the vehicle to the left of the 2 lanes, then back to the right to get it off the highway. The RV was drivable, no damage to engine, transmission, tires or the left half of the windshield. The right windshield and passenger window was obliterated. It truly was a miracle that Wayne (sitting in the passenger seat) and my friend Alison (sitting behind me on the couch) were not hurt at all. Several dishes came out of the cabinets and glass went everywhere. The passenger windshield shattered but did not come into the RV since the truck was traveling in the same direction as the motorhome. The tow car was unscathed. To God be the Glory. The first words out of my mouth were, “Thank you Jesus, not one of us were harmed”. The side dumper driver signed a release as unharmed and no damage, then drove on. There was not a tow truck big enough to tow us (limited resources in Alaska), so since the vehicle was drivable we duct taped the windshield in place, tied the door shut and crept on (30 miles) to Anchorage.
The estimated repairs came to more than the value of the rig so the rig was totaled. The insurance company has already settled and transferred the funds to our account. The insurance company gave us 2 prices, one for salvage, one for total replacement only $4,000 difference. Through a series of circumstances and relationships, a man who owns a marine repair/restoration business offered to buy it, either to rent out, use for himself or sell. We opted the salvage price, sold it to the marine business and are using extra funds are to transport all our belongings back down to the lower 48. He even offered to let us store our belongings in the rig until we are done with the project in Soldotna. Solid Rock is allowing us to stay in one of the lodges so we can still do the project. The man’s father who bought our rig even has offered to let us stay in his house in Anchorage when we return for our belongings. Now, get this…….the insurance company gave us $10,000 over what we paid for it 4 1/2 years ago. GOD HAS BEEN IN THE DETAILS.
Now, my best virtue is NOT, patience nor waiting. He is teaching me daily the following:
- don’t hang onto anything in this life too tight,
- wait for Him to work, He already has it all worked out,
- watch every circumstance in the valley as it is Heaven sent with His approval,
- be vocal, He wants me to use this for His glory,
- be more aware of prayer requests as they come to me,
- and let others be a blessing to me (not one of my best virtues either!).
I have always held my breath and dreaded the “flat tire or accident” on the highway. God had it all under control. He has shown me that everyone that is involved in this, including insurance adjustors, RV park attendees, buyer, relatives, children, project volunteers, and fellow SOWERs are all a part of His plan beginning to end. We’re not through the valley yet, but God’s blessings keep flowing and we are beginning to heal. There is another RV out there for us, our kids are watching how we handle this valley, and our friends are praying earnestly for our well being. WE WILL BE BACK IN THE SADDLE AS SOON AS WE CAN. God’s work will continue to be high on our bucket list.
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