Big AL Bartell ([info]harley1456) wrote,
2008-05-11 15:41:00
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Tom Mitchell Jones RIP

Tom is the man who worked hard to get my car in the Art Car Museum.  I was supposed to turn Versatile over to him at 11am this morning.  It did not go according to plan.



last night I took dancin' sisters and bill shirley with me on the Illuminated cuise.  We ditched the cruise early to go to the Continental Club and wish Big E and happy wedding.  We headed back to the art car museum to pick up Tricia's car and were greeted by lots of flashing lights, and her car smashed where it was legally parked.  A drunk driver hit her car and it slammed into Tom Jones and two others who were closing down the museum.  We arrived to see Tom Pinned under Tricia's car.  The professionals extracted him and took him to Taub but he died this morning in surgery.  I can't believe it.  He was at the Texas mile when I did 132mph.  He worked to get my car in the museum.  He was a GREAT guy,  I know you say that about people when they die, but dammmit Tom was really a great guy......

They arrested the kid who hit Tricia's car and  killed my friend.  When they took Tom away I just assumed they would fix him up....he had a terrible accident like this a couple years ago and was just getting back on his feet.  If I had known that this drunk kid had killed my friend I think I would be in jail right now for assalt.......hopefully he will soon be residing next to me in the nearby Prison Units.

Under a stream of tears I turned Versatile over to Noah instead of Tom.  What a surreal way to end my term with the great car, but I suppose it was Tom's last great accomplishment....getting her in their collection.

I have had WAY too many deaths this year.....

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5770875.html

ALSO, they have removed the comment, but in the Cronicle Online some jack-ass commented as if it was Tom/the museum's fault for distracting the driver of the car and even went so far as to suggest that the drunk driver should sue the museum for distracting him.  Anon on the internet brings out the worst in people.  Mr asshole commenter, I hope to meet you some day and stick my shit covered boot down your throat.

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  • 24 comments

[info]kimberpixie

May 11 2008, 23:14:33 UTC 4 years ago

Damn Al....


I'm so so sorry

[info]4hour_ramona

May 11 2008, 23:40:34 UTC 4 years ago

aww, geeez!
i'm so sorry.

[info]mrkamikaze

May 11 2008, 23:42:36 UTC 4 years ago

This is a terrible loss for so many of us...

[info]anditron

May 11 2008, 23:43:08 UTC 4 years ago Edited:  May 11 2008, 23:44:20 UTC

I'm really sorry to read about your friend. And wow, how shocking to read that some of the comments on this article are similar to my cousins. And he's the victim! I really have just about had it with anonymity on the web. It really is disgusting how people can just spin some shit in their head and spew it like a wild loose fire hose. I don't want to meet the people though, no I just wish I could somehow know when they die due to their own stupidity, not to anonymously comment on the article about their death but to know they got what they deserved. Maybe I'm a bitch for it, but I'm ok with that.

I know it's no real consolation but you're in my thoughts and I'll pass back the sentiment that you should seek comfort in knowing that he was so valued in his life and he died having put on, from all accounts, and incredible event that brought everyone who was there great joy.

[info]harley1456

May 11 2008, 23:47:35 UTC 4 years ago

I thought about you, and even mentioned it today to a couple people......thanks

[info]dumpsterdiva

May 11 2008, 23:48:43 UTC 4 years ago

I am so sorry that you lost your friend. What a shock that must have been to you.

I loathe drunk drivers. There is no excuse for it and it causes so much pain - like what has happened to you here.

Again, my condolences.

xo

[info]originalkitsune

May 12 2008, 00:14:22 UTC 4 years ago

holy crap! that sucks.
Life is fragile.

i bet anon guy is just some jerk whose art car sucked and he's just bitter over it.

[info]rainygirl

May 12 2008, 01:15:16 UTC 4 years ago

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. My sister told me about the accident today, but I didn't know who it was. I'm sad to hear he was a friend of yours. My condolences.

[info]jswim

May 12 2008, 01:51:26 UTC 4 years ago

I am so sorry for you Al...you have been through so much. Thinking of you.

[info]harley1456

May 12 2008, 02:19:24 UTC 4 years ago

it doesn't seem real or possible

[info]topknot

May 12 2008, 03:13:53 UTC 4 years ago

Oh God. I am SOOOO very sorry, Al.

:(

[info]harley1456

May 12 2008, 12:55:23 UTC 4 years ago

weird, your icon, I was dreaming about taking a baby polar bear swimming on a leash....propably the first dream i have ever had involving polar bears.

[info]lian_croftshaw

May 12 2008, 03:44:34 UTC 4 years ago

There's nothing I can say other than I'm so sorry.

I wish you peace, Brother.

[info]mdphotoart

May 12 2008, 03:47:06 UTC 4 years ago

Tom

I just spoke to him hours before, as he got out of Versitile in front of the museum. I went to Sr. High school with him and we only figured it out as he was installing my exhibition for FotoFest2008. I still can't believe it.

Marilyn

[info]f_l_i_r_t

May 12 2008, 04:36:02 UTC 4 years ago

Oh my goodness... what a horrible, sad situation. I am so sorry. Ugh, life can be so unpredictably cruel, seriously. Sorry for your loss. No more for you, enough is enough! *hugs*

[info]fighting_in_sf

May 12 2008, 04:58:00 UTC 4 years ago

My GOD.

You have had way too many deaths this year. Ick.

I'm so sorry.

[info]ladamasuerte

May 12 2008, 05:24:28 UTC 4 years ago

Wow, I am so sorry Al.

And you'd had mentioned him earlier in the day to me.

Peace

[info]harley1456

May 12 2008, 12:25:55 UTC 4 years ago

I know and I went on that Rant about death...I am in need of a break

[info]jemona

May 12 2008, 13:23:54 UTC 4 years ago

What a complete tragedy. I am so sorry that you had to witness that, about this loss. He was a really cool guy.

Don't forget to take care of yourself.

[info]bowiechaser

May 12 2008, 14:27:17 UTC 4 years ago

Friggin' AWESOME car.

I am SO sorry for your loss. :(

[info]harley1456

May 12 2008, 14:37:19 UTC 4 years ago

thanks

[info]candyctdrebar

May 12 2008, 14:44:48 UTC 4 years ago

The last few months of your life have been so surreal.
I'm so sorry for your loss, Al. He seems like he was a really great guy.

[info]harley1456

May 12 2008, 15:42:21 UTC 4 years ago

I know, surreal, when they took him in the Ambulance I was thinking that there was not room in my life for another loss, that they would take car of him and he would be OK.......

[info]monique_

May 13 2008, 19:21:35 UTC 4 years ago

There are no words except I'm sorry.
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