When I got there, the flashing lights were already painting the whole scene in a mix of red and blue. Two cars—both destroyed. You could still see the remnants of prom night—decorations hanging from the rearview mirrors, one girl’s broken shoe in the road, and the faint smell of perfume mixed with burnt rubber. The medics were still working on the teens, but the way they were moving told me what I didn’t want to know. I made my way over to the wrecks, trying not to think about how young they were. Their lives had just changed in an instant, but here I was, just doing my job.
As I hooked up the first car, there was a boy sitting on the curb in a half-ripped tuxedo and pale face asking about his friend—was she okay? All I could do was give him a gentle nod. You learn quickly in this job not to say much, but watching them in their prom clothes, shattered and bleeding—it gets to you. I winched the car onto the truck and then just sat there for a minute, letting the silence sink in. You can’t erase moments like this, no matter how many times you’ve seen them.
Special occasions are for making memories. Take time beforehand to talk about staying safe on the roads to ensure the memories are good.