Lynnette had started working at a diner in Whitehall. A member of her church lived near and would watch Katherine during Lynnette's shifts. Sandra, a lady in her mid-40's had been friends with the Fletcher's for years and had been considered an Aunt to Lynnette. Sandra's husband was the town's physician and they had become second grandparents to all the children from the church. To Katherine, Sandra would be known as Mimi.
Lynnette was taking Katherine to Sandra's before her shift. It was two days before the big fireworks display, Red, White & Boom. While sitting at a red light, Lynnette was hit by a car. First thing she did was to look at the backseat where Katherine was. Her car seat, a gyro-based seat, was rocking back and forth and Katherine was just smiling away. She was unphased by the event. Lynnette then took a mental inventory of herself. She wasn't bleeding, no physical injuries, her neck didn't seem to be injured and the rest of her body seemed to be fine. She then went to check on the driver of the car that hit her.
As she glanced at the front end of her car, she noticed that the left quarter-panel was damaged on her car and that the driver of the other car had his head leaning back against his seat.
"Hey?" Then tapping the man's shoulder, "Hey? Are you ok?"
Slowly opening his eyes and looking around, he then seemed to be checking himself for any injuries. Then looking up to Lynnette he asked "Huh?"
"I asked if you are OK. Are you hurt?"
Driver, "I don't think so? What happened?"
The airbag had deployed in the man's car. He had been knocked out temporarily. Lynnette tapping his shoulder had brought him back around. It had just taken him a few more seconds to realize where he was.
Driver, "Oh my God! Are YOU ok? Your car? I think my brakes went out. I was trying to avoid a lady crossing the road and I couldn't stop. Is anyone with you in your car?"
"My daughter is in the back seat, she's seems fine, let me call for help."
The driver nodded his head in agreement. He sat in his car and waited for the police to show up. Soon, sirens could be heard from police and an ambulance. Two police cars arrived on scene and then the ambulance showed up. Officers from each car went separately to each car involved. Starting with Lynnette.
Officer 1, "Are you OK, miss?" Then looking in the back seat of the car, "Is the baby OK? She looks like she is sleeping."
Lynnette, "Yes, we seem to be fine. He car seat must have swung her to sleep."
Officer 2, "Is she yours?"
Lynnette, "Yes, Katherine is mine."
Officer 1, "Well, tell us what happened."
Looking around, Lynnette noticed the woman who had crossed the road to cause the whole thing. "That lady over by the bus stop is involved too, you may want to speak with her as well."
The second officer went over to the lady and Lynnette began telling the first officer her account of what happened.
"… then the crash. I immediately checked on Katherine, she was smiling, her seat swinging back and forth. I took a minute to give myself a mental once-over…head, legs, arms, body… you know. I then checked the damage to my car and saw the quarter panel was busted, then I went to check on the driver. His window was down and his head laying against the headrest. I tapped his shoulder to arouse him. He woke almost immediately but he was knocked out. It took him a few seconds to realize what had happened. He thinks his brakes failed because that lady over there had begun to cross against the light. He said it was her or the car sitting at the red light, meaning me. I then called 911 and you showed up. That's basically it."
Officer 1, "That's very detailed…"
"My dad is on the job. He always said to me to include as much details as you can remember. Not to leave any kind of information out."
Officer 1, "Well he taught you well. What's his name?"
"Detective Byron Fletcher."
Officer 1, "Barry! I know him! I've worked with him from time to time. You must be Lynnette. I'm sorry for what happened to you. I was the one to put that bastard in cuffs, thanks to all of your details."
"Thank you, Officer?"
"John, John Dziak. How old is Katherine now?"
"She will be seven months on the 4th."
"You are a very brave young lady, Lynnette. Because of the details you gave, we were able to get your assailant so fast. I commend you."
"Thank you, Officer Dziak.
"Now… I want you and Katherine to be checked out by the EMT's. I will contact your dad for you if you 'd like?"
"Thank you, he's working right now."
"No problem. I will get him through dispatch."
"Thank you again, Mr. Dziak."
"Just call me John."
"Thanks, John."
While Lynnette and Katherine were being seen by the EMT's, the other two Officers were finishing up their interview with the driver that hit her. Officer Dziak went over to listen in…
"I swear, my light was a solid green! I wasn't speeding, doing 37mph. That lady over by the bus stop was crossing right in front of me. I tried braking but my foot just went to the floor. I pumped and nothing. I had to think quick, either hit that lady, swerve, and hit a car head on, or swerve and hit that girl's car sitting at the red light. My air bag went off. I think I was out for a few seconds because I heard her voice and opened my eyes. I did a mental once-over and asked her what happened. She said she and her daughter were fine and that she would call for help. Then you showed up."
Officer Dziak, "That pretty much what the other driver said." Speaking to the questioning officer.
Officer 3, "Your name, son?"
"Steven Pennington, sir"
Officer 3, "Is your license valid? Do you have insurance?"
"Yes, sir. In my wallet. It's in the bag in the back seat."
Officer Dziak opened the door and retrieved the bag and placed it on the hood of Steven's car. "Is there anything in this bag that is illegal or could hurt me? Do I have your permission to open it?"
"Yes, sir. You can open it. No nothing illegal. Oh!! I almost forgot. I have a CCW from California and my Nine is in the bag.
"Why don't you have your Ohio CCW?" Ofc. Dziak questioned.
"I Just moved here from Cali last week. With moving and getting things organized I haven't had the chance to go to the police department to inquire where to get my Ohio license yet."
Ofc. Dziak looked through the bag. As Steven had said, everything was in the bag. His wallet with both his driver's license and CCW as well as his insurance card. Nothing else seemed irregular.
After running Steven's licenses and coming back clean, the officers carefully helped Steven out of his car and over to the ambulance to be checked out. Lynnette and Katherine were given a clean bill of health as Steven was helped to the ambulance. Officer Dziak told Lynnette that a copy of the accident report would be available the next day for insurance claims.
"Thanks again Ofc. Dziak, I mean John. I'm sure my dad will be on top of it. Were you able to get a hold of him?
"Yes, Dispatch just said he was on the way to the scene. He should be here shortly. Is there anything else I can do for you?"
"No thank you. It's sunny out so Katherine and I should be fine. We can wait over at the bus stop for dad. Thanks again."
"No problem at all. We'll be here a while, anyway, clearing the scene and waiting of tow trucks."
"Actually, could you get the car seat out for me? Dad doesn't have one in his work car."
Officer Dziak took the car seat out for Lynnette and carried it and the diaper bag to the bus stop while Lynnette carried Katherine. Steven was given a clean bill of health and the ambulance left the scene.
Just as they got to the bus stop, Lynnette's dad showed up and quickly got out of his car.
Byron, "Pumpkin? Are you two OK?"
"Yeah dad, we're OK. I had my seat belt on. Only damage is to the front quarter panel of my car. The guy who hit me may have been hurt a little more. He was knocked out for a few seconds."
Looking over to John Dziak, Byron asked "Did you speak to him?"
"Yeah, Barry. Looks like his brakes failed and he tried to avoid hitting a pedestrian. It was a choice of a head on collision, killing the woman or hitting a still car. I think he made the better choice. But the investigation will prove or disprove what he said. Honestly… I think he's telling the truth."
Putting his arm around Katherine and Lynnette, "As long as you two are ok."
"Dad, can you take Katherine and put her stuff in your car? I want to check on the guy."
"Sure, Pumpkin."
Lynnette went over to the driver. He was looking at his car to see the damage.
"Hey, I just wanted to see if you are OK. You were knocked out there for a few."
"Yeah. I'm fine. Just some bruises from the airbag and seat belt. I'm Steven. Steven Pennington."
"Lynnette Fletcher. Accidents happen. Do you need to go to the hospital?"
"No, not unless I start to feel worse. Thanks for asking."
"Sure. Do you have anyone you can call to come get you?"
"No, I'll just get a cab."
"Oh no. That won't be happening." Looking over to Byron, "Hey dad? Can we give Steven a ride home?"
"Lynnette, you don't have to do that, you don't know me."
"Sure thing, Pumpkin. Where do you live, son?"
"Not far, sir. I was on my way home when I hit your daughter. I am really sorry."
Waving him off, "Ahh no worries, son. That's why they are called accidents. Be thankful no one was hurt."
As they got in Byron's work car, Byron asked Steven what brought him to Columbus.
"Well, sir. I'm attending OSU next month. I was just getting some school supplies when the accident happened. OH… I must tell you that I do have a CCW and my nine is in my bag that I put in your trunk. I just want to be upfront with you."
"Thank you for being candid, son. What are you going to be studying? Lynnette will be attending as well; she wants to be a teacher."
"I will be Pre-Law and Poli Sci. Taking after my dad and maybe making my way into politics."
Looking over to Katherine, Steven asked Lynette about the car seat.
"Yeah, it's a neat one. If she is strapped in, the car could roll, and she would remain upright. Dad says, 'only the best for his grandbaby!'"
"You got that right, Pumpkin! Steven, I happen to have a CCW course I teach. I can let you know when my next class gets scheduled and you are welcome to sign up for it."
"Wow! Thanks Mr. Fletcher! I haven't had the chance to get to the police station to find out. I would definitely sign up. I don't want to be illegal here in Ohio. I know I have some time, but I don't want to wait till the last moment."
Soon, they pulled into Steven's driveway. Byron gave Steven his business card and had put his home phone number on the back. Steven had also given Lynnette his phone number and insurance information, so she could start the claim on her car.
Byron had dropped his girls off at home and returned to work. Lynnette got right on the phone and called her boss, Bill, to let him know about the accident and why she didn't report for her shift.
"Do you need a copy of the accident report, Bill?"
"No, sweetheart. I kinda figured something happened. You never miss a shift and if so, you always call. If you were being lazy… well, you know I would find out about it at church on Sunday! Just take the day to rest up and make sure you are truly OK. I'll see at the park on the 4th!"
Lynnette thanked Bill and hung up. What he said was true. He could easily find out if she were lying at church on Sundays. Her church family are all very supportive and protective of Lynnette and Katherine. When Lynnette had made her decision to keep the baby, she had baby-sitters lined up, jobs offered to her. Since she is a people person, she chose to be a waitress and Bill had never regretted offering her the job. She had brought more business into the diner by being her friendly self. Word got around that the new waitress made a person feel appreciated and that they were the only customer in the place. She had even stayed late to take care of a group of business partners that the other waitress didn't want. She didn't want to stay late, but Lynnette took care of them. That night after closing, she got $100 tip from the four people. They now return weekly and if they must wait to be in Lynnette's section, they are more than happy to!