We were on 177, which is a four lane between our town and another. We were in the Mountaineer. Had just been to Lowes and had a load of 4, 8 foot 2 X 6’s that rested from the back of the truck up to the console and right off my left shoulder, in the front.
There was a semi pulled off the side of the road. The two cars in front moved to the left lane because that’s what you’re supposed to do.
Rick moved to the left lane too.
After the two cars in front of us passed the truck, the truck pulled off of the shoulder and went clear across the highway and into a left turn lane. We both thought he was going to turn left.
Rick was far enough back that he quickly got back into the right hand lane with no problem.
Suddenly Rick yelled an expletive and slammed on the brakes. I looked up, saw the broad side of the truck filling our windshield. At the same instant I realized the 2×6’s were accelerating toward the windshield, so I grabbed them to stop them.
Rick had the truck almost sideways with two options: Hit the truck with the broadside of our SUV, or just throw us in the ditch to the right and take our chances with rolling.
It all happened so fast. The asshole wasn’t turning left, he basically did a U turn on the highway, no signal, no flasher, no nothing.
Rick got us stopped about 3 feet from the truck,which was still slowly crossing the road. the nose of our SUV was pointing down the ditch.
I don’t want to repeat the exchange Rick had with the trucker, but rest assured I saved the 2X6’s. And our windshield.
