To the Grinnell College student I almost bumped with my car in the east-west crosswalk, Fifth Ave. and Park Street, Sept. 15 at 5:54 PM:
I just wanted to apologize. I was driving the white Chevy that crossed your path on the evening of Sept. 15. The sun was precisely in my eyes, and I could see the Post Office and the Hotel Grinnell and thought I could see the crosswalk clearly but I was wrong: I didn’t see you until you were right next to my car.
I could see you were startled and angry, but I think my hand gesture when I cut to the left and stopped for a second — which I meant to mean, “Shit, I’m so sorry” — was probably more likely to be read as “Stop,” as if I had the right-of-way, which I didn’t. I would have been pissed, too.
Years of experience in Grinnell have led me to think of both the town and the College as generally careful and caring places, and I don’t generally think of myself as an asshole, but I certainly behaved like one, however unintentionally, last Saturday. I’m sorry. Even after almost 50 years of driving, it’s piercing to remember that each time I get into the driver’s seat I can’t take anything for granted.
Regrets and best wishes,
Tom Simmons
Grinnell, Iowa
