I guess it was 10 or 12 years ago. I can’t say for sure. I usually took Jackson to I-55 on the way home from work a little after midnight. Sometimes I took Union Ave and I did try other ways. This particular night, well I guess it was about two in the morning, I took Jackson and I was almost to I-55. For those unaware, this is not the greatest neighborhood in Memphis and, of course it was late or early, as you chose to call it.

My headlights picked up something and I couldn’t make it out. I slowed as I approached. My first thought was that it was a blanket. But no. It wasn’t a blanket. It was person, a woman, lying in the middle of the right lane. I know it is a strange place for a siesta.

I couldn’t tell if she was alive or dead. I pulled up short and looked around. I was wondering if someone was waiting for me to stop so they could jump me. I turned on the flashers and pulled out my cell phone. Who was that guy that invented cell phones. I don’t know, but I sure am glad he did.

I called 9-1-1 and explained the situation. I answered a couple of questions. I also said that I probably should stay there as someone might not see her and run over her.

After hanging up, the woman started moving around and she seemed under the influence of something. Well, that was kind of something obvious. I mean she was in the middle of the right lane of the street, just lying there. At first she didn’t even move when I first moved up there but after talking to the police she started moving and finally stood.

When she saw me there, she decided to go around to the passenger door and tried to open it. A few seconds later the officer arrived and he took over after he checked with me. He had the same guess as me… that she was likely very drunk, but it could have been some other drug too. It could have also been her sugar was low or high or something like that.

At any rate, I was glad to hand the problem over to the officer. I waved to him and wished him well.

Well, it’s usually the Memphis drivers you need to watch out for. In this case, It was the sleeper I had to watch for. With the lighting as it was there, with just a very short distraction, that woman could have died that night. For that matter, if I just went around her, someone else could have hit her.

However, I had long learned to stay on alert while going through there. They have a habit of crossing the road there without much notice. I was always afraid some kid would run out in front of me.

I often wonder what happened to the woman, or what her problem was. Even if it was alcohol, I had the suspicion it was something else too. I don’t guess I’ll ever know.