Harrowing trip down the canyon

Richard Blanton

As an infantry medic in Vietnam, I have seen my share of

life-threatening situations. That was all 35 years ago. Monday

afternoon, I had just turned on to Laguna Canyon Road after exiting

the San Diego Freeway. I was just into the two-lane, westbound

section that begins there.

I normally blow through that section doing at least 70 to 75 mph

to get as far ahead as I can from the usual crunch that occurs when

the two lanes go back to one. As we all know, I’m not the only one

traveling at that speed in both directions. But this time I had a

load of slip (liquid clay) weighing about 3/4 ton in my little

truck, so I was only doing 60.

On the left, I noticed a large bulldozer pushing a mound of dirt

over a raised embankment and I tapped my wife to draw her attention

since it looked kind of strange, what with the elevation of the dozer

above us and all.

When I brought my eyes back to the road, a slow motion vision of

death that I haven’t seen since ‘Nam was coming my way in the form of

a white vehicle spinning broadside in a hail of shattered car parts

-- straight for me.

Before I had a chance to think of what to do, which normally would

be to hit the brakes, I violently yanked the wheel to the right.

Fortunately, there was no one in the right lane. As I swerved in slow

motion, I watched the vehicle slide by, missing me literally by

inches.

As it passed, I looked into the rear view. I watched the car slam

head on into the vehicle behind me. There was an explosion of vehicle

pieces as these two vehicles then began spinning and slamming into

other vehicles. I brought my eyes back to the road ahead only to see

another explosion in the oncoming lane and once again another car

spinning broadside in a hail of debris directly at me. Again I

swerved and watched the guy slide by and come to a stop behind me.

I stopped and got out. What I saw reminded me of pictures of the

aftermath of car bombs. All around me were large and small pieces of

cars and a massive four-car pile-up behind me. There were major

injuries, but fortunately this time, no fatalities.

In a matter of three to four seconds, I managed to evade the grim

reaper not once, but twice. All I can say to those who read this is:

When you drive on Laguna Canyon Road you are taking a walk through

that proverbial valley of death. Take my advice and keep your eyes on

the road and your speed down! I know I sure will.

* RICHARD BLANTON is a Laguna Beach resident.