Rain was hitting the windshield as Samuel Mendivelso drove home with his mom. Suddenly, the sound of the tires on wet asphalt gave way to the screech of metal. In an instant, their world shifted: the 2010 Duster slammed into the entrance of a nearby building, airbags exploding against their chests. Gasoline and burnt rubber filled the car. When he turned, he saw his mother unconscious beside him, strangers rushing to help, and sirens approaching. What began as a simple drive home turned into a night that would change his perspective forever.
That crash created a permanent mark on Mendivelso’s point of view. What could have been a tragedy became instead a lesson on how fragile everyday life is and how quickly it can change. From the fear of that afternoon grew a deeper awareness of safety, gratitude, and responsibility, lessons Samuel now carries every time he gets in a car to drive himself.
The first thing Samuel remembers is the smell. “The first thing I remember is opening my eyes and smelling like a lot of gasoline and brakes… of burnt brakes and tires. I was in shock and I was heavily in pain as the airbag had hit me in the stomach and in the chest,” [0:17-0:34] he said. With the car crushed against the building’s entrance, his thoughts turned instantly to his mother, who was unconscious in the passenger seat. “I need to wake her up,” he recalled, panic flooding in. Relief only came when she finally stirred, though the fear of losing her has never fully faded.
Bystanders, including the building’s security guard, called paramedics and checked on the family. That quick intervention reminded Samuel how vital help from others can be in moments of crisis. Every detail, the metallic sound, the smell of burning rubber, the pounding in his chest, are still in his memory.
In the days that followed, shock gave way to reflection. “Firstly, I was super scared, but then I began to value my life more as the day went through. I was super thankful that nothing serious happened to me or my mom,” [1:23-1:37] Mendivelso admitted. Gratitude slowly replaced panic, and the accident became a turning point in how he thought about driving.
Getting back behind the wheel was not easy. “I love to drive and however as time passes by and I drive more and more I gain more confidence and I’m sure a crash like that won’t happen again and I’m going to be responsible at the wheel,” [2:01-2:13] he explained. For him, driving now carries not just freedom, but also responsibility; a constant reminder of how a single mistake can change everything.
Car crashes happen in seconds, often on ordinary days. Mendivelso’s accident, although it was relatively lucky in its outcome, shows how fragile safety can be. Had the car been going faster, or help not arrived quickly, the consequences could have been devastating. His story highlights a universal truth: driving is not just about skill but about responsibility to yourself, your passengers, and everyone on the road. Rainy nights, routine routes, and small distractions can all become turning points, ones no one anticipates until it’s too late.
Even now, Samuel remembers how quickly everything shifted. One moment, he and his mom were laughing in the car; the next, a door was pressed against the windshield. “That moment still kind of scares me till this day,” he said. For him, the crash is no longer just a terrifying memory; it’s a daily reminder to stay grateful, careful, and alive to the fragile gift of ordinary moments.