Accident victim says 'thank you'

Thank you. Thank you! Thank you! If you stopped to assist in my accident on the southbound 23 Freeway Fri., June 1, then I'm talking to you.

My name is Cristina, and I want to thank all those who came to my aid when I needed help. When I swerved to avoid a car coming into my lane right next to me, I had no idea that I could or would lose control of my car in the gravel. As my car was traveling across the gravel median uncontrolled, I had no idea that I could and would flip over.

But we did; two and a half times we flipped, finally coming to rest upside-down next to the fast lane on the opposite side of the freeway.

This was the scariest moment in my life and yet I'm overwhelmed with gratitude to those who came to our aid. Hanging in my car upside down, I didn't have to think about how I was going to get out and help my daughter because I knew we were going to be okay.Through the smashed windshield I saw them, the strangers who on that day took time out of their busy lives to help me and my daughter.

Thank you to those who came to my car, not knowing what you would find but knowing you had to help.To those who took my daughter out of her carseat and comforted her when I could not, thank you. To the guys who kept talking to me and helped until rescue personnel got there, thank you from the bottom of my heart. To the ladies who placed calls to my loved ones on my behalf and stayed on the phone with them until they arrived, thank you. To the woman who gave me a pillow to rest my dislocated shoulder on, thank you. To all the rescue personnel who helped me out of the car, thank you. To all those who stopped to help and give information about what they saw, thank you, thank you, thank you.

I was released from the hospital that evening with bruising and lacerations on my left arm and a dislocated right shoulder. My daughter had not one scratch or bruise anywhere; she was properly secured in her carseat. God protected us during our accident and sent a wonderful group of people I feel very fortunate to have encountered.

These are people I'm grateful for and proud to call members of my community. Cristina Ercolani Moorpark

Her car was pictured on page 13 of the June 7 T.O. Acorn.