Can victims legally chase down hit-and-run drivers?
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BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — Two cars were involved in a violent crash Saturday at White Lane and Highway 99, sending several people to area hospitals.
The cause: A hit-and-run victim was in pursuit of the alleged culprit, prompting the alleged hit-and-run driver to drive recklessly and plow into another vehicle, the California Highway Patrol said.
The chain of events started when 20-year-old Angela Martinez allegedly sideswiped a vehicle while exiting southbound Hwy. 99 at Panama Lane. Officers said the alleged victim followed Martinez as she re-entered the highway going north.
Martinez reached speeds of up to 80 miles per hour trying to get away from the hit-and-run victim according to CHP investigators and eventually made an effort to exit at White Lane. But Martinez was traveling too fast, hit a curb, went airborne and slammed head-on into a bystander's car.
Both vehicles had major damage. Rashida Robertson, who was driving the bystander car, was taken to a hospital with major injuries. Martinez and a passenger were hospitalized with moderate injuries.
Eyewitness News spoke to police and attorney David Cohn about what liability a hit-and-run victim could face while trying to chase down the responsible party.
Both police and the attorney said it's not illegal to follow the hit-and-run driver if the victim drives safely and obeys traffic laws, but they advised victims to instead snap a photo, take note of the license plate number and call 911. They said leaving the pursuit to the police is a better option.
The cause: A hit-and-run victim was in pursuit of the alleged culprit, prompting the alleged hit-and-run driver to drive recklessly and plow into another vehicle, the California Highway Patrol said.
The chain of events started when 20-year-old Angela Martinez allegedly sideswiped a vehicle while exiting southbound Hwy. 99 at Panama Lane. Officers said the alleged victim followed Martinez as she re-entered the highway going north.
Martinez reached speeds of up to 80 miles per hour trying to get away from the hit-and-run victim according to CHP investigators and eventually made an effort to exit at White Lane. But Martinez was traveling too fast, hit a curb, went airborne and slammed head-on into a bystander's car.
Both vehicles had major damage. Rashida Robertson, who was driving the bystander car, was taken to a hospital with major injuries. Martinez and a passenger were hospitalized with moderate injuries.
Eyewitness News spoke to police and attorney David Cohn about what liability a hit-and-run victim could face while trying to chase down the responsible party.
Both police and the attorney said it's not illegal to follow the hit-and-run driver if the victim drives safely and obeys traffic laws, but they advised victims to instead snap a photo, take note of the license plate number and call 911. They said leaving the pursuit to the police is a better option.
Go ahead and call the police, then hold your breath. They do not respond. If you're a jay-walker or other obviously hardcore criminal they might, maybe. If you are assulted or a victim of battery or call in a 'man with a gun' ~~~ fuggidaboudit. I have lost all respect for these local jerks.
You need a proofreader...
These were "dRivers", not "divers"...check the headline!!
And quote, "Angela Martinez allegedly sideswiped a vehicle while existing southbound Hwy. 99 at Panama Lane"
Was she actually existing, or exiting??
Ok, probably both!! LOL
I would be happy to volunteer to do some proofreading for you, if you so desire, really, and for free!!
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Otherwise, a good article, too bad she, Angela Martinez, wasn't injured as badly as the innocent person she rammed into while fleeing the first victim, although at least the first one did catch her..assumed since.her name is known.
It seems like that is usually the case about injuries, unfortunately.
Good info about calling 911 and letting the police do it, but hard to imagine if it happened to me!!
I will try to remember, because it is good advise.
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 @Mikey *advice not advise. If you are going to make a big deal about proof reading someone's article, you may want to proof read your own comment.Â