Our edit board this week discussed car accidents, as part of our discussion about today's editorial touting the value of slower speed limits near parks and playgrounds.

Two of us were in minor traffic accidents recently and we all have little ones in our lives who we worry about concerning their safety and cars.

As I was walking to our parking garage last night, I noticed several police cars, an ambulance and fire engine near the garage's exit. People were gathering there quickly. I sensed something pretty awful.

As I drew closer, I saw a man -- who had been hit by a pickup that ultimately flipped over -- wedged underneath a parked car. He landed there after being hit by the pickup.

The crowd grew --business people, street people, the media. We spoke with one another in hushed tones, or spoke not at all, as we watched the paramedics gently work to get the man out from under the car.

To me, they looked like ministering angels. Surreal, filled with grace. The bicyclist will be OK, our story this morning reported. I hope so. He seemed very still.

As soon as the ambulance roared away, people resumed their normal speaking tones. They made cell phone calls to explain why they were running late. Coming upon such a scene altered the whole evening for me. And perhaps for the other "witnesses" as well.

I was happy we'd written the go-20 mph-zone edit. It's dangerous out there in the streets, especially in the summer and especially for our young people. What's the big hurry? Things can change -- for the awful -- in an instant.

(Photo by Dan Pelle/The Spokesman-Review)

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