by Ricky Doc Sauceda
Daniel 6:27 - He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.
In 1990, I had moved my family to the Rio Grande Valley. We were living in Raymondville, Texas and my two older children were attending elementary school. I won the potato sack race at the Field Day events. I earned a blue ribbon for the effort.
I had originally been working at my mom’s corner store in nearby Lyford. My step-father was unhappy with my presence and I would soon find a job in Edinburg as a pizza restaurant manager. My manager Ron was a mellow mannered and mustached man. I finished my training and was placed in the Mission store.
I had been driving from Raymondville to Edinburg and Mission each day. It was no issue to me coming from big old Houston. Going from one side of Houston to the other is quite a journey. Commuting is a way of life here. (I am back in Houston)
The area supervisor Larry told me I had to move closer or he would be forced to “let me go.” He was concerned that something would happen to me due to the traveling distance I was making each day. I talked to my new manager David and he let me borrow his Toyota truck. A small truck with oversized tires that he had owned for sometime – he bought it used.
I rented a U-Haul trailer and made my way to Raymondville for the move. I think we actually made one trip and were on our second when “the rollover” happened. I was going about 50 miles per hour in traffic. Not too bad in The Valley compared to Houston. The only thing was the balance of the vehicle was “off” due to its height. Slower speeds were recommended for safety.
I was making good time, and it was a concern, because I had to make it back to start my closing shift. My wife, newborn Chris, Ricky Jr. and Teri were with me on this trip. The truck was a King Cab, so Ricky Jr. and Teri were in the small seats in the rear. Yolanda was holding Chris in her arms. A large brown car hit its left turn signal while coming to a dead stop about two cars ahead of me. A succession of cars hit their brakes and I did too.
All we remember is hearing those big tires squalling as the truck began to lose control in a swerve and then went into a series of rolls. I cannot remember a number, but what happened during the rolls is something that I do remember. Time slowed down. Everything happening was slowed down and I could see and feel a ‘force’ holding things together.
When the truck came to a stop, we were all upside down in a large ditch in front of someone’s yard. I called out to my family,”Saucedas, are you okay?” We were like that for awhile as people scurried around us. They talked to us and told us help would be coming. Moments passed by in a haze.
Soon the Edinburg Fire Department arrived and so did the ambulance. I was taken out first and led to the base of a tree above the ditch. I was told to sit and allow the firemen to do their jobs. They told me they would take care of my family. From out of the blue, Teri walked up and sat next to me. We hugged each other as we looked on at the rescue. Ricky Jr. was pinned in by a seat pushing his left hand against the cab. He was loosed and joined me and Teri. Yolanda’s seat belt was locked and wouldn’t come loose. She cried for Chris to be taken to safety. “Save my baby, please.” She was sobbing so deeply. They took him from her arms and brought him to me.
When they finally cut her seat belt, she fell on her head and then they helped her out. We were all put into the ambulance and taken to the city hospital. We were all seen to and treated for glass removal from our bodies. Ricky Jr.’s hand was put into a cast, his hand was fractured. None of us had sustained any severe injuries. We were amazingly sound.
We were picked up by Ron and taken to the Edinburg restaurant. The crew there surrounded and hugged us, especially baby Chris. They took turns holding, kissing and blessing him and his siblings. I have never known so much love to come from co-workers since then. These were amazing people to have known.
Within the next couple of days, I met up with David and we went to see his wrecked truck. The cab was pancaked flat. He said,” You guys survived that?” A man from the dealership that had performed the tow started to examine the truck. He looked at us and stared very seriously at the engine after he popped the hood open.
“Do you see that? The engine is completely doused with gasoline. That is common when you flip over like you did. Something else that is common is that the engine catches fire. Son, I don’t know why that didn’t happen. You can plainly see how much gas is all over this engine. You and your family should have burned alive in that truck.”
For the past few years, I have been perplexed why I survived that rollover. I have seen my ex-wife become a stranger since our divorce and my children have had to deal with serious pain from it. Ricky Jr. and Chris live together now and Teri was here for a little while but will soon be back in Arlington to finish her art degree. It has pained me to think of this accident, until now.
Ricky Jr. had to learn how to write with his right hand and still does. He is very thoughtful and sound minded. Teri is a very talented artist. Christopher is very intelligent and is making strides as a young man. What they all have in common is goodness. They are a pleasure to meet and will treat you like family if you allow them to. They treat people well and appreciate life, even now.
It is a miracle that they still carry in them…always will. Thank you, Lord.