After spending a year in Michigan following graduation, Jay decided it was time to move on. Working at Arby’s wasn’t getting him anywhere, his band was done as the members moved on in their careers, and he had no idea which direction to take his life. Jay fell deeper into debt (the product of never having financial responsibility) and depression, but kept clinging to a hope that things would improve. When they didn’t he packed up his Montero and headed out at midnight on Sunday, May 30th. He hoped to surprise his father when he got home, but fate had a different plan.

Jay was not prepared for the sudden overwhelming fatigue that caught him in the early morning hours of that Memorial Day Sunday and his eyes drifted closed for a moment as he struggled to remain focused until the next exit. He opened them in time to see the car drop off the side of the road. He fought for control, managed to steer back to the pavement, but the vehicle kicked out sideways. Everything stopped, then crept forward in slow motion. When the roll ended, he found himself on the should in a twisted wreck, all windows blown out, the roof caved in, and his life’s belongings scattered across the highway.

He escaped another serious accident without a scratch and couldn’t help but feel that familiar presence during the roll. Somebody was watching out for him. When he was finally towed to a garage, he called his father for help. He didn’t expect the reaction he received … a disgusted sigh. It wasn’t until his father made the seven hour trip out to get him and saw the wrecked car that Jay saw any hint of true concern and emotion, but the damage was already done. He began to see his father in a different light. When he thinks about it now, Jay knows how lucky he was that day, but life would never be the same.