The Selma-Times Journal

In a matter of seconds Thursday, Valerie Gabriel turned from caregiver to a receiver of care.

Gabriel 35, and her daughter Kayleighy, 10, left the Selma-Dallas County Public Library during the afternoon as rain began to fall. Gabriel got a cigarette from the door of her silver F-250 XLT Ford.

Gabriel stood between the door and the cab and talked to her daughter, who waited on the sidewalk.

In that instance, Isaids Lopes was turned right onto Broad Street from Selma Avenue, heading north. Lopes lost control of his Explorer Sport Trac and struck Gabriel&8217;s truck.

The impact pushed Gabriel forward and she slid across the concrete, injuring her hands, elbows and ribs.

She was lucky in one regard.

The collision pushed Gabriel&8217;s truck seven feet onto the sidewalk, but didn&8217;t endanger Kayleighy.

&8220;Thankfully my daughter was standing on the sidewalk and she wasn&8217;t hurt,&8221; Gabriel said. &8220;I don&8217;t know what would of happened if she was standing beside me.&8221;

Dinissa Johnson was in the library and heard the accident.

The Gabriel&8217;s moved from North Carolina last month. Since then, they have not had much fortune.

Valerie&8217;s husband was involved in a non-vehicular accident that required 28 stitches. They had just taken out his stitches a week ago.

The Gabriels had recently bought the F-250 that was involved in the accident. Lopes, who struck their truck, did not have insurance or a driver&8217;s license, according to authorities.

Gabriel also did not have medical insurance for her injuries.