Report on WAIT team accident

Dear Parents, Family, Friends of WAIT:

As most of you know, the WAIT year of service trainers are on a tour of the midwestern states of the US. I am driving, and we have arranged for several parents to accompany us along the way, for various legs of the tour.

Last night, after finishing our last performance in Manhattan, Kansas, we learned that a snowstorm was coming, and that by getting on the road immediately to our next destination, Kansas City, we could probably stay ahead of the snow and make it there for the next day’s planned events. Aunt Barbara Karnowski and Rebecca, Clareen O’Connor and Gabriel O’Connor were in another minivan, coming separately. We got on the road around 8:30 p.m.

Along with the WAIT Year of Service members, (Il Seuk Masuda, Insung Harbour, Kensei Tsubata, Rakim Muhammad, Jasmine Roth, Wendy Wang, Rachel Curtin, Harmony Becker) we had Sarah Karnowski, Kansas WAIT leader, and a new WAIT member, Xavier Dowdell of Manhattan, Kansas in our van. The snowstorm was much more heavy than predicted, and we battled hard, going about 20 to 30 mph for the entire trip. Thankfully, everyone was very focused, all were wearing seat belts, and we had to stop several times to de-ice the windshield wipers and even the headlights. Also, our new tires were a boon, as we were able to navigate despite very snowy conditions.

After about 4 hours, we were nearly to our final destination, on I70 east, right before Exit 415a for College Parkway when a semi-truck that was behind and to the left side of us (going faster than us) blew out its tire. It went out of control, hitting the rear of our van, breaking the window, and then hitting the driver’s side area and taking off our mirror. We fishtailed a bit, but thankfully I could keep control of the van, and we were able to steer over to the side shoulder of the road, right in the V-shaped area between I70 and the exit ramp.

We immediately checked to see if people were okay, and called 911 at 12:45 a.m. who responded immediately. As the operator was on the phone with us, getting details of the accident, a trooper was already knocking on the driver’s door window. In minutes, the ambulance was there. We had plenty of emergency personnel interviewing and assessing each passenger. Initially, we were worried about Xavier, who was a bit groggy, due to being asleep at the time and just waking up in a shocking way. Kensei and Wendy had some cuts, so those three were transported to the emergency room, and afterwards, we took Rakim and Jasmine in to get checked out for some muscle soreness. Wendy does have some glass deep inside, but the doctors said removing it would have disturbed the tissue more, so they gave antibiotic cream and to the others, prescribed normal painkillers (Ibuprofen or Tylenol types).

Peeter Saarna, our host, and Aunt Barbara Karnowski, came to pick us up, and helped us deal with the hospital, tow truck, etc. The van seems to be driveable, but has substantial damage: one window is gone (driver’s side rear) and the back door and the drivers’ door are messed up, and the mirror is gone.

The policeman made sure we got a copy of the trucker’s accident report and insurance, which I will be contacting today.

On arriving in the Kansas home center where the Saarna’s live, we were surprised to see everyone else had waited up for us. The van is here too, everyone is okay, and nothing else seems damaged.

We are grateful, beyond words, that we are all safe, and very thankful for the families and emergency and hospital services who took immediate and effective care to ensure we were okay. We slept soundly, and just woke up, and everyone is eating breakfast. Everyone seems to be in good spirits, and were concerned for each other and their families, immediately calling and alerting them that things were okay.

We are going to meet now, discuss what to do regarding our planned outreach and trip, and will keep all of you informed as soon as we have more news. Many thanks for your care and prayers,

With love,

Kate Tsubata