I Had to Stop c. 1965

It was close to midnight and East River Drive traffic was light as we passed the 23^rd Street exit.  I saw a stopped car ahead near the next exit ramp. Its lights were on and I could see it was occupied. I slowed.  Karen cried, "Don't stop!"  I slowed down even more and, as we passed the car, I saw two figures slumped over.  I jammed on the brakes and pulled over.  Karen shouted, "Lynn! Don't!"  I looked at her hard and said, "I have to!" I jogged back to the car.  It had run head on into a concrete abutment.  A man and woman held their faces in their hands, blood running between their fingers.  I cried, "Hey, let me help you!" They looked up.  They had identical wounds: mutilated lips, smashed noses, lacerated foreheads.  Dazed, they stared at me blankly.  I shouted, "Listen to me!  I'm taking you to the hospital.  Let's go!"

I found the ER at Bellevue and helped them in.