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46 °F 5 Day Forecast Sunday, November 30, 2003 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | eSouthernOregon | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend September 14, 2003 Teen’s accident serves as a stern reminder By ANITA BURKE Mail Tribune Aaron Read, 16, of Medford, only had his driver’s license for a week when he wrecked his dad’s car in a fiery crash Sunday on Sterling Creek Road. "It was total inexperience," his mom, Laura Read, said of the accident’s cause. Recovering at home from a broken hand and arm, massive bruises and a horrible case of poison oak, Aaron said he now has plenty of experience to keep him cautious behind the wheel. "I’m going to keep in town when I can drive again," he said. "And slow down when it’s raining." Advertisement He drove a friend home from church Sunday and, after dropping the friend off, got lost on rural roads west of Medford. It started to rain and as Aaron rounded a corner in the 8900 block of Sterling Creek Road, he lost control of his dad’s 1991 Toyota Tercel. The southbound car skidded across the northbound lanes, then launched over an embankment and into a tree, a police report said. The car tumbled end over end, then rolled before finally coming to rest about 50 feet down a steep slope. "I thought I was going to die," Aaron said. He covered his face with his hands as the car hurtled down the hill. When it came to rest on its roof, he unbuckled his seatbelt and kicked open a door. "I had my seatbelt on," he said. "That saved me." He saw a small fire burning on the car’s exposed undercarriage and quickly scrambled up the steep slope, which was strewn with his honors class textbooks and other stuff that had spilled from the car. The slope also was covered with poison oak, but he didn’t notice that until later. "Once I got to the top, it just blew," he said of the totaled Tercel. He flagged down a passer-by, who notified emergency-response crews and took him to Rogue Valley Medical Center. Larry Hunt, an engineer and emergency medical technician with Applegate Fire District No. 9, said rain kept the fire from spreading much, but homeowners in the area could see flames and were worried. At the hospital, a battered Aaron was treated and released. He is set to undergo surgery to repair his hand and arm next week, when the swelling from his injuries and poison-oak exposure should subside, he said. "If I had realized how far out that kid (Aaron’s friend) lived, I never would have let him drive," Laura Read said. "I told him he’s never driving again and he said that’s OK," she joked. Getting back behind the wheel won’t even be an option until Aaron recovers from surgery, and he’s confident that he’ll be more cautious then. "I was just getting the hang of it," he said of driving. For other young drivers, he advises, "Keep a safe pace and slow down when it’s raining." Reach reporter Anita Burke at 776-4459, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times