# My Wife and Kid escape fiery death, my neighbors don't **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 12, 2002, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-wife-and-kid-escape-fiery-death-my-neighbors-dont/131903 "2002-10-12T01:25:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![ElwoodCuse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/edb3f5/32.png) [@ElwoodCuse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElwoodCuse)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2002, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-wife-and-kid-escape-fiery-death-my-neighbors-dont/131903/41 "2002-10-13T06:32:13Z")
I’m sorry for those involved and grateful for those who weren’t. A quick PSA–when driving visibilty is low, PLEASE SLOW DOWN. So many times I have been caught in thick fog or huge rain storms, and it never fails–people blow by me because they don’t realize it’s not a good idea to drive 65 when you can only see 20-30 feet infront of you. ---
**Author:** ![Siege](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dbc845/32.png) [@Siege](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siege)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2002, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-wife-and-kid-escape-fiery-death-my-neighbors-dont/131903/42 "2002-10-13T11:57:57Z")
**QtM** , I just thought I’d let you know that since Dan and Bill were from Pittsburgh, there’s an obituary for them in this morning’s _Pittsburgh Post-Gazette_. Here’s a [link](http://www.post-gazette.com/localnews/20021013wisconsinreg5p5.asp) to it. Take care, CJ ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2002, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-wife-and-kid-escape-fiery-death-my-neighbors-dont/131903/43 "2002-10-13T12:50:20Z")
Thanks for the link, **cj**. If you read it, you’ll see that Dan was a “Missionary to the Pre-Born” and fundamentalist, with many views diametrically opposed to my own. Yet at the onset of our relationship we agreed to disagree but respect each other. He was a fine man whom I held in good regard, and whom I will miss, along with his son. I am glad we built a relationship together rather than see each other as cardboard cutouts to insult and dismiss. ---
**Author:** ![Mooney252](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7c8e57/32.png) [@Mooney252](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mooney252)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2002, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-wife-and-kid-escape-fiery-death-my-neighbors-dont/131903/44 "2002-10-13T13:20:35Z")
> [@](#): > > And special thanks to those young adults who took it on themselves to start waving to incoming traffic to alert them. If my wife hadn’t seen them and responded to their signals, she’d have lost the chance to miss the pile-up. We’ve no idea who they were, but I expect they saved lives. Qagdop – Any chance of mounting a campaign with the newspaper to find those people? Best regards, M ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2002, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-wife-and-kid-escape-fiery-death-my-neighbors-dont/131903/45 "2002-10-13T15:54:27Z")
**Mooney** , the papers have already noted the “dozens of people” who helped rescue victims and flag down cars. ---
**Author:** ![medstar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f07891/32.png) [@medstar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/medstar)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2002, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-wife-and-kid-escape-fiery-death-my-neighbors-dont/131903/46 "2002-10-14T01:29:27Z")
I know that in California, every few couple of years heavy fog and/or dust storms cause horrific chain accidents as well. My heart goes out to all of the accident victims. I hope your wife and child recover quickly from this terrible upset. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2002, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-wife-and-kid-escape-fiery-death-my-neighbors-dont/131903/47 "2002-10-14T13:27:26Z")
I am so sorry, **QtM** - thank god your family was not hurt, but I am so sorry for your neighbor. perspective. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2002, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-wife-and-kid-escape-fiery-death-my-neighbors-dont/131903/48 "2002-10-14T14:56:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Qadgop the Mercotan \* > \*\* > > We told the widow today that there’d be no charge for rent at all for the rest of the year. > > \*\* You are a good man **QtM** and as Spock would say, Random factors seemed to have operated in your favor. ---
**Author:** ![LolaBaby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d2c977/32.png) [@LolaBaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LolaBaby)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2002, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-wife-and-kid-escape-fiery-death-my-neighbors-dont/131903/49 "2002-10-14T18:28:08Z")
**QtM** , I’m sorry about the loss of your two friends, but I’m glad that your family was able to avoid it. How terrible. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2002, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-wife-and-kid-escape-fiery-death-my-neighbors-dont/131903/50 "2002-10-14T18:41:38Z")
how horrifying for you - from knowing how close your loved ones came, to the realization that others you cared about were involved by seeing the wreckage. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Politzania](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3ab097/32.png) [@Politzania](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Politzania)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2002, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-wife-and-kid-escape-fiery-death-my-neighbors-dont/131903/51 "2002-10-14T18:47:13Z")
Qadgop - I’m glad your family is OK and that you are going the extra mile to help your neighbors in a time of need. Take care - everyone. Poli ---
**Author:** ![Algernon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a183cd/32.png) [@Algernon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algernon)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2002, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-wife-and-kid-escape-fiery-death-my-neighbors-dont/131903/52 "2002-10-15T19:18:46Z")
Needless to say, those of us located in southeastern Wisconsin were horrified with the news (and pictures) of this terrible accident. **Qadgop** , I’m so very glad that your family escaped injury. And I am so sorry to hear your neighbors were amongst the fatalities. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2002, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-wife-and-kid-escape-fiery-death-my-neighbors-dont/131903/53 "2002-10-15T23:10:08Z")
Thanks, all. I went to the visitation of our renter and his son. It was a bit discordant having a truck plastered with pictures of aborted fetuses all over it parked in the church lot. But that was their crowd. But I can say I was a bit uneasy with the thought of the “fetusmobile” pulling into the same cemetary my parents are buried in. But that’s my problem. ---
**Author:** ![purrplebear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/90ced4/32.png) [@purrplebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purrplebear)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2002, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-wife-and-kid-escape-fiery-death-my-neighbors-dont/131903/54 "2002-10-16T05:01:31Z")
☹ I’ve been stumbling over what to say all day. **Qad** , I keep coming back to Thank God that your wife and child were able to avoid that. And may God hold those who lost loved ones in His tender loving care, and help them through this nightmare time of grief. My prayers and hugs go out to all of you and your loved ones and neighbor. You’re a good man to tell her not to worry about the rent for the rest of the year. Shows where your heart is: in the right place. I have family in Wis. too, so thank you for the list. I didn’t think any of my family would be on that list, but it was such a relief to know for sure. purrplebear, bluetinged, sniffling quietly into her kleenex… ---
**Author:** ![purrplebear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/90ced4/32.png) [@purrplebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purrplebear)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2002, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-wife-and-kid-escape-fiery-death-my-neighbors-dont/131903/55 "2002-10-16T05:14:23Z")
☹ I’ve been stumbling over what to say all day. **Qad** , I keep coming back to Thank God that your wife and child were able to avoid that. And may God hold those who lost loved ones in His tender loving care, and help them through this nightmare time of grief. My prayers and hugs go out to all of you and your loved ones and neighbor. You’re a good man to tell her not to worry about the rent for the rest of the year. Shows where your heart is: in the right place. I have family in Wis. too, so thank you for the list. I didn’t think any of my family would be on that list, but it was such a relief to know for sure. purrplebear, bluetinged, sniffling quietly into her kleenex… ---
**Author:** ![Myron\_Van\_Horowitzski](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de053/32.png) [@Myron\_Van\_Horowitzski](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Myron_Van_Horowitzski)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2002, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-wife-and-kid-escape-fiery-death-my-neighbors-dont/131903/56 "2002-10-16T15:52:41Z")
Qadgop, the Balints had a story in the La Crosse Tribune, focusing mostly on their pro-life work. I couldn’t find it online, but if you email me your address I can mail the clipping to you. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2002, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-wife-and-kid-escape-fiery-death-my-neighbors-dont/131903/57 "2002-10-16T18:46:52Z")
Thanks but no, **Myron**. They had similar articles in other papers, and since I’ve not been a fan of their work (but defend their right to speak their message) I’ll pass. ---
**Author:** ![elelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f0a364/32.png) [@elelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elelle)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2002, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-wife-and-kid-escape-fiery-death-my-neighbors-dont/131903/58 "2002-10-17T02:03:29Z")
Quadgop, MD: You’ve long been a favorite poster of mine, for your balanced, informative posts. And here you go again, balancing close personal tragedy with a fine mind. I can’t say enough how much I admire that; how you are able to give your best to your neighbors/renters in their time of need, regardless of any differences. It takes a large, gracious heart to do that. May your good heart continue to beat strong on and on! ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2002, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-wife-and-kid-escape-fiery-death-my-neighbors-dont/131903/59 "2002-10-17T02:18:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by elelle \* > \*\* May your good heart continue to beat strong on and on! \*\* Thanks, **elelle**. With all the goings on, I’ve neglected to schedule my annual stress test. It’s been over 5 years since my heart attack, and I shouldn’t take my health for granted! My wife just returned from the memorial service for the 14 year old girl who was killed about the same time, a few miles away. It was a large service at the local school where she went, and where my wife worked. My wife and I were both quite distressed to learn that the girl had not been wearing her seat belt. The driver of the car wore his, and survived. That extra circumstance is just too sad. ---
**Author:** ![elelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f0a364/32.png) [@elelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elelle)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2002, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-wife-and-kid-escape-fiery-death-my-neighbors-dont/131903/60 "2002-10-17T03:14:44Z")
Qad: Then here is an extra heartfelt wish for your forbearance and strength with all you have to deal with now. All my best prayers to y’all. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-wife-and-kid-escape-fiery-death-my-neighbors-dont/131903.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-wife-and-kid-escape-fiery-death-my-neighbors-dont/131903.md?page=4)