Car Disaster

Sunday, December 21, 2025

Today may determine the end of driving for me.  

At 11:30 a.m. I had a serious incident with my car (not me).  I was going west on Pleasant Street, on my way to Peter's where he would drive us to Bullwinkle's for an Austrian American Christmas dinner.

My tire hit  one of those low islands that slow traffic and got my car really off kilter.

Two flat tires; the car groaned when I tried starting it; I couldn't move my steering wheel.

I called AAA for a tow.  I waited over 2 hours for a tow truck to take the car to Gordie Boucher on Hwy 100.

While I waited, it was so gratifying how many people came to ask if I needed help; Pete who lives down the block, at least five times to check if I was OK. (All, with the exception of one man, were Black, men and women. 

Peter insisted that I should still come to Bullwinkle's because I'd need a ride home, so I called Lyft to take me there.

I've had time to evaluate my situation, especially after the incident with the side view mirror.  With the cost of parts and labor's exorbitant prices, the repair will be in the thousands.  My insurance will not cover anything, since I have only liability.  How many Uber/Lyft rides can I get for the price of repair?

My only regret is my independence - getting in my car to go where I want, when I want.  And I'm still limiting my driving to daylight hours, since glaring lights are very disturbing.

I will have to make changes, but there are many options available.

Monday, December 22

Saturn called at 6:59 a.m. asking if I had ever done business with this dealership, because my phone number does not appear in their system.  I said I had been doing business with Boucher ever since I bought my car.  Unfortunately, this was Boucher Saturn, not Boucher Lincoln.  The car was delivered to the incorrect dealership!  I would have to have it towed to Boucher Lincoln.

I called the towing company (thank goodness for numbers stored on my messages) and Max would pick it up after he finishes with his job in New Berlin.

Tuesday, December 23

Gordie Boucher called at 7:43 a,m. telling me I had two flat tires, big news.  I told the serviceperson what happened and now the car is disabled.  He questioned the age of the battery; I did not have that information, but the battery was not that old.  He thought the damage might be more extensive; I agreed.  Diagnostics will cost $400, which I approved.  I asked what would happen if the cost would be more than I could pay; I would have to have it towed out.  Would GB assume possession of the car?  He'd have to check with his supervisor; it didn't seem likely.

Monday, December 29

The damage was really not that bad or expensive:  two flat tires, a rim, battery, alignment that would cost approximately $3000.  Do I want to pay that much?  How long will I drive?  How much driving do I do?

After careful thought and talking to Claude, Peter and Jay, I should really not be driving any more.

Tuesday, December 30

I called Salvation Army and had to give a lot of information, plus pay the cost of the diagnosis before they would agree to pick up the car; they also requested a photo.

When I called Gordie Boucher, I paid the bill and they would take pictures of the car and email them to me.

Thursday, January 8, 2026

I had my car title signed that Claude picked up along with shopping for some groceries.

I called Boucher telling the service person that Claude would be there when the car is getting towed.

I called AAA to cancel my insurance, and will get a refund of $668.73 on my insurance.

Friday, January 9

The tow truck driver called at 10:27 a.m., telling me that he was twenty minutes away from Gordie Boucher.  I called Claude, who was ready to meet him.

Claude called me at 11:20 a.m., that the car was gone.  A slight problem was locating the car on the lot;  otherwise, everything went well.

Friday, February 6, 2026

I received a letter from The Salvation Army thanking me for the $550 donation for which my car was sold.