Last night my son and I were coming home around 9:30 and a car coming off an Interstate pulled in behind us and talegated our car for the 15 minutes it took to arrive at home. We live at the end of a dead end street and the car not only followed us up our long hill, but also drove right in behind us in our driveway. I got out of our car and approached the two-toned sport utility vehicle, like a Suburban, to ask if the driver needed help. A woman in her 40s or 50s was driving.
"Do you need some help?" I asked, approaching the front passenger side of the car. The window was opened and I could see the driver quite well.
"Who is in the car with you?" she asked aggressively.
"Who are you and why are you in my driveway?" I asked.
"Someone in a car like that destroyed my property."
"My son is in the car. We did not destroy any property." By then, Devon had also gotten out of the car.
"Oh, I see his face. That's not him," she said contritely.
"Are you crazy?" I asked.
"I'm sorry I bothered you," she mumbled.
"Lady, what you're doing isn't simply a bother. You pursued us. That's aggressive and wrong."
Devon and I watched her back out of our driveway and then I went inside to report the incident to the police.
It was disconcerting to have some crazy woman pursue us with the aim of confronting us about something we knew nothing about. What's very odd though was that it was a chance encounter, given that she had just come off of a highway and that is how she ended up behind us and we were miles from our home. Also, my son drives a very common car, a black Ford Fusion, hardly a unique car.
It made me wonder if Devon and I needed to fear having her return during the night, but I decided not to get caught up in this woman's craziness. I did call the police and reported what I knew and gave the dispatcher my home address. The encounter also made me wonder about the vigilante sentiment that Trump and his followers seem to embrace. Is this part of making American Great Again? Vigilantes driving around the streets? How bold and foolish this woman was to drive down our driveway. How entitled she seemed to feel and certainly acted.
Mary Ann, that seems to be a disconcerting situation. I would be quite worried if someone followed me home and I am not sure if I would have been as brave as you. You make me rethink safety in our own neighborhoods. Thanks for sharing this story as a cautionary tale to others. We must be extra careful that the "crazies" stay away.
ReplyDeleteI have never experienced this before. It was unnerving.
DeleteI've been closely tailed once or twice and it is very disconcerting...no, it's frightening. Glad you had your son with you for backup. No telling whether she was "high," drunk or just plain old nuts. There are many out there...we tend to get complacent and let our guard down. Police deal with these crazies all the time which is why my patrol car brother used to wear a camera. Glad you're both ok.
ReplyDeleteThanks Barbara. Me too. It freaks me out that she knows where we live.
DeleteSounds scary- your post built up the tension for sure. I am glad it was resolved relatively easily!
ReplyDeleteThanks:)
DeleteWhat a scary encounter! I'm glad all ended well.
ReplyDeleteMe too
DeleteYikes.
ReplyDeleteYep
DeleteI echo Kevin...Yikes. You handled it in a calm manner. Don't give in to the crazies. We must keep our heads when all around us are losing theirs.
ReplyDeleteYes . I was more concerned for my son.
DeleteAdvice, Mary Ann. If you have someone following you, do not lead them to your home. Ideally, drive to a police station and park in the lot. If they follow you into the lot, call 911 and tell them what's going on and where you are. Do not unlock your car or get out. Almost no one will follow you into a police station parking lot.
ReplyDeleteBill you're absolutely correct. You never can tell who is following you or what their intent is, best to err on the side of caution and seek police assistance.
DeleteI didn't know we were being followed until she blocked the driveway. But good advice!
DeleteMy bumper stickers make me an easy target for the Trumpists, especially upstate. I have one encounter last summer that really shook me. I think you are right about the new atmosphere where such bullying has become much more open and aggressive. We are in a sad place as a country...
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear of that tara. Honestly, what must people who behave so badly be thinking. I do wonder if the woman who threatened us feels remorse. She knew she was wrong. It just speaks to the absence of some critical thought.
DeleteJoe and I had this happen to us once, up in the country (kids were with us) and we decided if he wasn't off our tail by the time we got near our house we were going to go to the police station instead of going home. This never happened to us again, and I don't think it will happen to you either, but if it does, don't go where the person wants you, go where he/she doesn't want to be.
ReplyDeleteGlad you're OK
Police station it is.
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