Only On My Route
This little news story was borrowed from ThePittsburghChannel.com.
Car, 2 Coal Trucks Collide On Route 136
One lane was closed after an accident involving a car and two coal trucks on Route 136 just before noon Wednesday in Carroll Township, Washington County.
Coal spilled all over the road.
Dispatch said an 84-year-old woman was seriously hurt and was flown from the scene.
There is no word whether anyone else was injured in the accident.
And now for the REAL story! I should know it, this section of PA Route 136 represents a good portion of my mail route.
Obviously the reporters of this story have a very broad idea when it comes to the term "just before noon." The ambulances and Life Flight helicopter were seen heading to the accident while I was loading my truck at approximately 10:15 AM. That would mean that the accident occurred at around 10 AM! Shortly before noon indeed!
At about 11:30 AM a friend of mine who lives near the effected area called me on my cell phone to warn me about the situation ahead. An entire section of Route 136, not just a single lane, was closed. Firemen and road crews estimated that it would be at least five hours before the spill and other accident debris would be cleared. I would be in that area in less than two hours. I anticipated a long detour and the possibility of some folks' mail being curtailed.
When I arrived at the junction of Routes 917 and 136, I discovered the road still closed. I inquired about detours. I was told that if I caught 136 at Hazelkirk Road, I would be allowed to pass. Off I went, on a happy six mile detour along with some creative mail delivery.
When I reached the other intersection, I discovered the road still closed to all but local traffic. I WAS allowed to pass. Much to my surprise, I was able to complete all of my deliveries, albeit in a rather odd variation of the way I normally deliver my route.
When I completed my rounds at about 3 PM, the road was still closed (both lanes) to all but local traffic.
My commentary on the accident is as follows:
I knew that this would happen some day! The drivers of those coal trucks are always speeding. When they pass my mail truck they cause it to shake, they travel so fast! The speed limit is 40 MPH, for crying out loud! Slow down! These guys hardly ever obey traffic laws. They cut across traffic to make left turns quite frequently without even pausing to look for anything coming in the opposite direction. They also ignore stop signs quite often. I'm surprised that something like this hadn't happened sooner!
I won't even bother to express my opinion on 84 year old women (or men, for that matter) driving cars...
I sure hope the lady pulls through!
And now for a lovely Hump Day Hunk to cheer me from the depressing events of today!
Klaus Meine takes center stage as my Hump Day Hunk this week.
I just love this screen capture from the Send Me An Angel video!
But not as much as I love this one fom No One Like You
I'll use any excuse I can to post this picture!
