The Crash III: GUILTY and the Guilt Within

Well it is all over now. My personal ordeal that I have documented in “The Crash” and “The Crash II” has finally come to an end.

I went to court today as a witness of the car accident involving an old woman, who I now know as Margaret (won’t mention her last name) who illegally turned left when a car was heading straight.

My nerves were on end when I entered and it became a waiting game until shortly before she was called to the judges bench. A police officer called my name along with the others who were involved. What made me even more tense was that no one said “here” but me. Was I the only one besides Margaret that showed?

I went to the police officer who then affirmed I was in fact Warren Greeley. He asked how I was involved and then his next question threw me for a loop. He asked, and I repeat verbatim, “Do you want to testify against her?”

Now I am a man who wants to do the right thing but this officer’s question made it clear in my mind that his idea of the right thing was different than mine. But he was not there that day. He did not see it happen. So, I simply answered “I want to tell what I saw that day.”

He then replied “Ok, she’ll probably plead guilty anyway.” With a snide tone. (By the way, I censored out a bit of that conversation for the sake of not stirring up trouble. But I did get that officers name just in case.”

When Margaret was called I approached the bench beside her and the judged asked her what she pleaded… “Guilty.” Thank god. The weight was off my shoulders. I did not have to testify against this nice old lady, who, by the way, is my girlfriends neighbor. She did the right thing. The judge asked me a couple of questions about my involvement and if anyone was hurt. I answered and the judge said I was free to go.

Before I could leave there was one thing I had to do. I leaned closer to Margaret, who is much shorter than I, and put my hand on her shoulder whispering, “I’m sorry.” She turned to me and said in her sweet voice, “That’s OK dear.”

That was all I needed to hear.

I wish the best to you Margaret. You will be in my prayers.

Prologue: The other driver involved never showed the the court case, nor did the two other witnesses called. Considering that Margaret had no prior traffic violations, or any other record for that matter, she was put on driving probation and got to keep her license. All is well in the world now. Well, except her car and the car of the guy she hit. That is what insurance if for.

There is still one question that burns in my mind. If I hadn’t shown up, then there would have been no one to testify against her. If this were the case, then would she have pleaded innocent and not had to pay a very hefty fine? I guess I will never know. But something tells me she would have done the right thing regardless.