On Friday afternoon, July 17 about 2:30PM my husband was in a motorcycle accident on Millwood and near Fairview Streets, Columbia, SC. He was taken to Richland Memorial Hospital Emergency Room. I got word about 3PM and left the swimming pool, dressed and headed to the hospital. Word was that people who would like to meet me there for support would not be allowed in due to Covid19 restrictions. I did not even consider I would not be allowed in.

My first stop on the way to the hospital was at the accident scene. I pulled off the road and started to walk towards my husband's motorcycle. A police officer told me to stop where I was and he would walk to me. I was not allowed to go near an active investigation of the accident. The officer explained to me what he knew and called over the detective who was writing up the report.

Officer Santos told me my husband had ran a red light. He said it was all on video and there was no question. I find that so difficult to believe. My husband is a good driver. He has driven a motorcycle for 50 years and been across country and such - how could this be? Yellow lights yes - might have done that but the officer said the light was red for 3-4 seconds before he even entered the intersection. He hit the 3rd vehicle coming through the green light. I have to believe that something other than negligence happened - did the sun hit his eyes and he didn't see the red light? Did he black out on his bike? Why didn't he slow down or did he? I hope to be able to watch the video at some point to gain more understanding. 

I need to say that both police officers were extremely professional and I was grateful for their help. With the condition in this country towards police officers right now one might wonder what to expect. I thanked them both for their assistance and asked for directions to the hospital since they had the street blocked off that took me the way I usually went.

While driving to the scene I talked to a gentleman who identified himself as a driver passing the accident. He stopped when he saw Ed on the ground to see if he could help. His initial reaction was to take Ed's phone, call 911 (?) and then call someone who knew Ed. He chose Brittany Grau - our "adopted ministering daughter" and she was 50 miles away in St. Mathews, SC. She called me. The phone rang 4 times at the pool before I got out and saw she called and called back only to hear screaming that Ed had been in an accident and was taken to the hospital. That was when I left the pool and eventually called this gentleman.

My greatest fear is that Ed would die. The man told me that he was going to be alright. He said that Ed had a broken ankle and broken wrist with abrasions on his head. I thanked him and continued on towards the hospital. After I left the scene this man called me again to see if I had made contact with my husband. I told him about stopping at the scene and I was still on my way to the hospital.

During this time I got a phone call from Bishop Chris Allen. Though I was concerned for Ed I felt relieved to know that it was a broken wrist and ankle and thought I can deal with this. So Bishop and I talked in general terms, he said to let him know if there was anything more he could do and we ended our conversation.

I finally arrived at the hospital emergency area and parked. I think I'll start a new journal entry with that part of the story. Thanks for all the prayers being said - at this point a hand full of people only know.