Lifetime Miles Driven:
1986 Jeep Cherokee - 12,000
1994 Chevrolet K1500 pickup - 121,675
1999 Chevrolet K2500 Suburban - 18,000
Squad car at work - 38,400
Total: 190,075
Now this is an approximate of total miles driven in my lifetime. This is not counting any vehicle that I have not owned, rental cars, Shannon's vehicles, ect. If you break this down into the 13 years I have been driving, it ends up being about 14,621 miles a year. Once again, this is an approximate average.
My point in all of this random math (I'm sure many of you are thinking why I even know these figures!) is to show my luck. In 13 years of driving and almost 200,000 miles driven, I just got my first flat tire! My report on this incident would read as follows:
On 04/07/09 at 0300 hours, I was patrolling eastbound on Old Shakopee Rd W approaching Nesbitt Av S in the inside lane.
I was driving a marked Bloomington Police squad car, Unit #855.
While driving, I suddenly heard a loud thumping noise coming from the rear of the squad.
The squad then began to loose traction on the rear axle.
I immediately pulled to the vehicle over to the outside lane and activated my emergency lights.
When I opened the door to the squad, I heard a loud hissing noise coming from the rear of the squad.
Upon inspection of the squad, I noticed the left rear tire was flat.
I called dispatch to have a tow truck respond for a tire change.
When the tow truck driver removed the flat tire, I noticed a large metal spike had punctured the tire and lodged itself in the tread.
Upon closer inspection, the large metal spike, was determined to be a heavy duty, "V" shaped, tent stake.
The tire was replaced and I returned to service.
That is the story! My very first flat tire, EVER, was at work, on a squad car, and I didn't even have to change it myself! I always figured, I would end up in a rain storm or a blizzard in the middle lane of a freeway when I would get my first flat. Having to jack up my truck and change a tire, making every one around me pissed off, causing to the already 3 hour traffic delay. Yep, that is what I had my money on!
I guess I couldn't have asked for a better situation, plus I didn't have to pay for anything......well out of my pocket......well I mean right then and there......I guess being a tax payer in the City of Bloomington would make me kind of paying for my flat tire.....Oh well!
NOTE TO CITIZENS OF BLOOMINGTON - Please, in the future, when looking for an appropriate place to stow your tent stakes during the off season, avoid the roadway. Thank you.
