Sunday, September 14, 2008

I don't know if you have ever had one, a phone call in the middle of the night that scares the crap out of you. I had one last night... I have caller ID and don't ever pick up 'unknown' numbers. I don't know why I did last night...



Reporter: Hello my name is Richard Lazano, I am with the LA Times, I am trying to reach the family of Carl Pack.

Me: Yes he is a relative of mine.

Reporter: Are you aware of the train accident that happened in the Los Angeles area ma'am?

Me: (puzzled) Yes I am aware that there was a accident, what does this have to do with Carl Pack.

Reporter: Ma'am I am sorry you have not heard or been notified but Carl Pack was among the dead.

Me: (feeling sick) I am sure you must be mistaken. Carl Pack is my father in law. The accident happened yesterday, I am sure our family would have heard had he been on the train.

Reporter: The coronor just released these names, in the last hour.

Me: I just talked to my sister in law 30 minutes ago. She is his daughter and lives in town. We talked about the crash and later in the conversation I asked about her parents. She would have told me. We would have been notified.

Reporter: Are you sure? I have his birthday at 01/01/50, he is listed as 58 years old.

Me: Yes that is his birthday but I am sure your information is incorrect.

Reporter: The age was released by the coronor.

Me: I am sure we would know.

Reporter: But you haven't talked with Mr. Pack

Me: No.

Reporter: Can I relay this information to my editor? Can I have your name.

Me: My name is Jenni.

Reporter: Jenni Pack.

Me: No, I would rather not give my information


He already knew my information, I didn't care. All I wanted was to get off the phone so I could make some calls. I love my father in law but I don't talk with him often. I was sweating, sick and almost crying by this point. He left me with his name and contact info and told me to contact me if I knew anything.

I called my mother in law. She calmed my fears (even though she is on the other side of the country from her husband right now). CW came home he called his dad just to make sure he was ok. Everything is fine. Except we can't figure out the mix up. Identity theft? who knows. But it was scary. Here is some info on the crash if you are interested.



*Names have been changed to protect everyone but me...

10 comments:

Rochelleht said...

Wow, that's crazy! So good that you had talked with the family before she called. I wonder why the mix-up. So sad for the people it did affect. What an awful weekend.

Tiff said...

Oh my! What a horrible phone call. I would hate to have that call, and hate to be the caller. Glad everyone is alright.

love ya!

Chanda said...

Crazy! I'm glad everything's OK. I'm sure it took you a while to go back to sleep last night.

aurora said...

Unbelievable! What a horrible call. I am so glad that he is okay. Wow.

irbuanosraL said...

This is so strange. Too bad you had to be put through that.

Julianne said...

Oh my goodness. That is so awful! I'm glad he is ok!

Info said...

Oh my Oh my!!
I think I would have died if I got a call like that about Arthur!!

I hate reporters

Matt, Janae, Makenna, Emily & Ryan said...

How scary for you! I am amazed at how you handled that. I think I would have gone to pieces right away.

katri said...

Ummm... that is really creepy. I am glad that everything is o.k. and that you didn't give further information on the phone. A good reminder for me... I can be too trusting sometimes.

Timalee said...

Jen this is aweful! I am so sorry you had to go through that. Sorry that it has taken me forever to check in with you.