We might be back at school, but we are still celebrating summer memories. One of them involves a road trip to visit family in Springfield, Mo., about an 18-hour ride.
The drive there was uneventful. The drive back not so much.
Passing through St. Louis on the way home
About halfway home, we encountered the dreaded brake lights up ahead, signalling to us that we soon would be coming to a stop. We did.
We thought — hoped — it would be a short delay. But then something happened.
A police vehicle sped past us, on the left shoulder, lights flashing and siren blaring.
Then another. And another.
Then a firetruck.
Then a rescue truck.
At a standstill after an accident up ahead
Then an ambulance.
Not good.
After about 20 minutes, the driver of the grain truck next to us got out of his cab and stood there, just looking up ahead.
Curious to know if he knew what was going on, we lowered the window and asked:
Do you know what happened? At least two vehicles were in an accident … there were injuries … about a quarter mile up the highway
Our pickup and the trucker reflected in his rig
How long of a delay? Could be awhile … no tow trucks yet … at least an hour
What are you hauling? Grits
Where are you headed? South Carolina
Where are you coming from? Wisconsin
How many hours a day do you drive? Eight
He knew what was going on up ahead because he could communicate with truckers who were close to the scene. He commented on how dangerous it was that people were backing up and crossing the median to get to the other side and away from the delay. We passed around hard candy, which he graciously accepted. He told us it felt good to stand for a while. This was his second accident delay this day.
And, then, he noticed something we had not seen. Movement.
Is it over? It was nice talking to you …
He pulled himself back into his truck, waved to us and rode alongside for a short while until we gained speed and passed him. When we reached the accident scene, it already had been cleared. All emergency vehicles were gone. It was as if it had not happened.
What we learned in that hour?
- Curiosity leads to knowledge
- People are willing to talk
- Interviewing really is a conversation
- You don’t need a notebook or a recorder to ask questions
- If you listen, you’ll remember
- People with expertise are everywhere, if you look