"l'm going to find a place to crash," she
sobbed. "No!" he shouted
Gliding
along at 50 mph, Jennifer spotted a traffic light in the distance.
Better slow down in case it turns red, Jennifer thought, turning off
the cruise control.
But
instead of slowing down, the Oldsmobile sped up - even though her
foot wasn't on the accelerator!
I've
got to stop! Jennifer panicked, as the crimson traffic light loomed
just ahead. But the speedometer kept climbing... past 60 mph, then
65!
She
jammed her foot down on the emergency brake. Nothing! Please don't
let anyone come the other way! she prayed as she zoomed through the
intersection.
"Thank
goodness!" Jennifer breathed when she made it through safely. But
her ordeal wasn't over. The speedometer needle was charging past 70.
I
need help! Jennifer panicked, as she picked up her cell phone and
dialed 9-1-1.
"My
car won't stop!" Jennifer blurted when a man answered. "I even tried
the emergency brake, but it just keeps going faster!"
"Turn
off the ignition," the dispatcher shouted.
"The
key won't turn!" Jennifer shrieked. "Help me!"
She
could hear the dispatcher radioing for help as the speedometer passed
80 mph... then 85.
Suddenly,
a sign flashed past, warning of approaching curves.
Don't
let anyone come the other way! She prayed as the car sped around the
curves - sometimes veering to the other side of the road as she negotiated
the tight bends.
Finally,
the eight-year-old car rocketed onto a straight stretch of road -
but the speedometer kept inching forward, now to over 90mph!
Now,
she noticed the houses were closer together. I'm getting into a neighborhood,
she realized in horror. Someone's going to get hurt. I can't let that
happen.
I
don't want to die, Jennifer agonized. But I have to end this nightmare
before I hurt someone else! "I'm going to find a place to crash,"
she sobbed.
"No!"
the dispatcher shouted.
"Just
hang on! Help's on the way."
Listening
to the dispatcher bellowing updates on Jennifer's location, police
officer Richard Vogt raced toward the next intersection she would
cross praying, Please let me get there in time!
When
he arrived moments later, he spotted Jennifer's headlights in the
distance flying toward him - and other cars coming at him from the
side streets!
I've
got to stop them before she gets here or people are going to die!
Officer Vogt realized.
He
blocked one road with his patrol car, its lights flashing, then ran
across the street and flagged traffic in that direction to a stop
with his flashlight - just as Jennifer's Olds roared past!
Please, God, Jennifer prayed. Just take
me and not anyone else.
I've
got to stop her! Officer Vogt thought, realizing that at any moment
the car could spin out of control. He had never received any training
that would help him deal with the situation he now faced.
But
I can't just let this poor girl get killed, he vowed.
Suddenly,
a daring plan popped into his head, a plan he'd never seen in his
21 years as an officer.
But
will it work? he worried, racing to overtake the speeding car.
Now
her speedometer read 110 mph, and her steering wheel vibrated violently
in her hands. I really am going to die! Jennifer realized in horror.
She
pictured her grandmother waiting for her to arrive, and imagined her
worry and sadness when she didn't.
Please,
God, she prayed. Just take me and not anyone else! Suddenly, Jennifer
saw flashing lights filling her rearview mirror.
"Tell
him to get back!" she screamed into the phone propped on her shoulder
as Officer Vogt's cruiser roared up beside her. "He'll just kill himself
too!"
Passing
Jennifer at 120 mph, the officer thought of his three sons, ages 15,
13 and nine.
God,
he prayed, if this doesn't work and anything happens to me, please
look after them.
Then,
without allowing himself to feel a moment of fear, he swerved in front
of Jennifer's car, lined it up in the center of his rearview mirror
- and took his foot off the gas! "What's he doing?" Jennifer shrieked.
"I'm going to hit him!"
CRASH!
Jennifer snapped forward, her ribs slamming into the steering wheel.
Officer
Vogt lurched forward.
Searing
pain ripped through his neck and back. He pumped his brakes. Jennifer's
car slammed his again and again.
"How
much of this can we take?"
Jennifer
panicked.
But
with each collision, the cars slowed a bit.
It's
working! Officer Vogt realized.
Then
the Olds smashed into the cruiser's rear, and the bumpers locked.
Now!
he decided, jamming his brake pedal to the floor. The two cars skidded
to a tire-squealing, tread-stripping halt in the middle of the road!
Thank
God! Jennifer wept. It's finally over!
Ignoring
his pain, the officer raced to Jennifer. She fell into his arms, sobbing:
"Thank you! Thank you for saving my life!"
Within
moments, ambulances whisked them both away. On the way to the hospital,
Jennifer used her cell phone again. "Grandma," she said, 'I'm going
to be a little late..."
Both
Jennifer and Office Vogt were treated for minor bruises and later
released.
Mechanics
couldn't pinpoint what caused her car to malfunction, but Jennifer
says she's sure who saved her life.
"At
120 mph, my life was about to end," she says. "But Officer Vogt risked
his own life to keep that from happening. I'll never stop thanking
him."
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