| Jul 28, 2007 @ 3:04 PM |
Hit and Run.Grrrrrrrrrrrr
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Dovestreasure
Posts: 3,419
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My daughter and I were coming home from Universal Studios last night. We were sitting at a traffic light about to get on I-4 and I glance into my rear view mirror and yell to my daughter brace yourself we are going to be hit. A moment later I called 9-11 for assistance . As I am talking to the dispatcher the man that hit me stumbles out of his car apparently drunk. He asks me If we are okay and hands me a business card. I let him know we are fine and indicated that I had called the police. We were blocking traffic so I told him I am going to try to move my car out of the way and he said he would do the same and would follow behind me. I made my move and he took off over the median and drove off. I did not get his tag number, and in all liklihood the business card he gave me was not his. The police arrived and will report the accident as a hit and run. The damage to the car although not major will be my responsibility to fix now. I have an old car and the cost could exceed the actual value of the car. Some people really suck 
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| Jul 28, 2007 @ 3:33 PM |
Hit and Run.Grrrrrrrrrrrr |
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outlaw_star
Posts: 1,089
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Well first of all I'm glad to hear you and the little one are ok and as a semi-professional in car accidents, having several in cars # 1 & 2 (currently on car 3) here are some pointers on what went wrong and how you could have had him thrown in jail for DUI.
!) Should have waited until the police arrived BEFORE moving the cars since the police like to survey the area where the accident occured and
2) it would have given him NO chance to leave the area of the accident.
3) You should have also written down the car tag when he gave you his business card
4) and/or told your daughter to get the information while you was talking to him and the police
But there is the chance that the card is either a friend of his or his acutal business card and as such you might be able to find him.
Depending on how bad the damage is you can go to a local junk yard and pick up replacement parts for less then what it would cost to buy them from the factory/dealer and do the work yourself and not bother having the insurance company pay for it and watch your rates go up as a result of this. Thats what I did with car 1 until I finally drove it into the ground (made the odometer go all the way around to 0!)
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| Jul 29, 2007 @ 1:24 AM |
Hit and Run.Grrrrrrrrrrrr
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witchietoo
Posts: 2,630
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Well that sucks big time! I hope they are able to track him down. 
At least no one was hurt. Cars can be replaced but not people!
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| Jul 29, 2007 @ 1:51 AM |
Hit and Run.Grrrrrrrrrrrr |
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fuchia04
Posts: 953
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Dove, that's a shame he just hit you and ran away. First he's profoundly irresponsible. And then he's a coward. You're right, he sucks big time.  I hope he was so drunk and stupid that he accidentally gave you his real business card... or at least one that he can be tracked down easily with.
...or better yet, I hope he's actually an ethical person who gave you his real business card intentionally, meaning to take responsibility for the damage he caused.
Most importantly though, glad you and your daughter aren't hurt. That would suck more than anything else. 
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| Jul 29, 2007 @ 9:22 AM |
Hit and Run.Grrrrrrrrrrrr
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honeybear285
Posts: 186
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Soooo sorry, I am glad that you both are OK and not hurt. It is a shame about your car. The value/age of your makes no difference, it is YOUR car and your mode of transportation, and now you have to pay to repair it. Sometimes life really sucks, but you and yours are OK that that really is the most important thing. 
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| Jul 29, 2007 @ 12:08 PM |
Hit and Run.Grrrrrrrrrrrr |
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itsreallyme
Posts: 52
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times like that I would love to be able to take justice into my own hands. track him down, drag him to the nearest cop house and turn his drunk a$$ in
glad you and your daughter werent hurt that is what really matters
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| Jul 29, 2007 @ 10:41 PM |
Hit and Run.Grrrrrrrrrrrr
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Dovestreasure
Posts: 3,419
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I have an update.. it turns out the business card , did help me find him. I left messages where he works but kept getting voice mails. He has an unsual name so I decided to google him and he actually came up. I was able to find out employment history on this man and he has held some very prestigious jobs over the years. I went to the Orlando White pages after and typed in his name and got an address and phone number. I was pretty sure this had to be him, or at least the name on the business card. I called the number and I lucked out. It was the man that hit me. He apologized for leaving, and told me a story that is very far fetched. He claimed that another car kept pushing his car over and over and that was why he hit me. He slammed into me as if he just flew up to that light and never noticed me at all. When he went over to my car to check on me and hand me the card he never mentioned that to me nor did he go address the driver in the car that kept pushing his car repeatedly. He claimed he left the accident scene to chase after the other car that "pushed him", to get the tag number. I asked why he didnt return and he said he did but I was gone. Which was not true, I was sitting there for over an hour waiting for the police officer.
I am still convinced he was trying to avoid a DUI. I am going to be contacted by a detective in the next few days and will give them the information I have. Even though he did give me his insurance info over the phone and made things right in the end I still think he needs to be held accountable for a hit and run. I am not a vindictive person but what he did was wrong.
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| Jul 29, 2007 @ 11:34 PM |
Hit and Run.Grrrrrrrrrrrr |
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honeybear285
Posts: 186
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It does sound like he was trying to avoid a DUI, maybe not his first. At least you won't be out-of-pocket for the repairs, but yes, he does need to be held accountable.
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| Jul 30, 2007 @ 8:57 AM |
Hit and Run.Grrrrrrrrrrrr
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honbee42
Posts: 348
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Dove, how awful. I'm so glad that you and your daughter are alright though. That is the main thing. 
I'm glad you were able to trace the guy down. Sounds more like the guy was either trying to avoid a D.U.I. or had already been convicted of that once before and not only did he have a D.U.I. record, but was driving without a license because of it.
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| Jul 30, 2007 @ 12:53 PM |
Hit and Run.Grrrrrrrrrrrr |
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bluefrogflyer
Posts: 17
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hi dove, im glad you and your daughter were not hurt. thats the main thing!!! Now get him thrown in jail for DUI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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| Jul 30, 2007 @ 3:30 PM |
Hit and Run.Grrrrrrrrrrrr
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fuchia04
Posts: 953
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I agree with you all. It's pretty obvious this guy was just trying to wait 'till there was no evidence of intoxication left in his system. I hope that it turns out there is some way to prove he was intoxicated. Dove, I'm glad you were able to track him down. At least, no one was hurt and you will not be stuck having to pay for the damage he caused. He does need to be held accountable; otherwise he could do it again, and the result is likely to be much worse.
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| Jul 30, 2007 @ 3:49 PM |
Hit and Run.Grrrrrrrrrrrr |
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Dovestreasure
Posts: 3,419
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Thanks everyone for your comments. His insurance company contacted me today , but they have not been able to get ahold of him yet to verify the information I gave them. They did however verify the police report. The adjuster will be looking at my car tomorrow. People who drive under the influence are not only stupid but selfish, and could not care less about the lives of others.
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| Aug 1, 2007 @ 1:51 AM |
Hit and Run.Grrrrrrrrrrrr
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itsreallyme
Posts: 52
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people like that should just be shot I have nothing nice to say about drunk drivers 
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| Aug 1, 2007 @ 5:04 PM |
Hit and Run.Grrrrrrrrrrrr |
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Dovestreasure
Posts: 3,419
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There really is nothing good to say about drunk drivers. I think if you drive under the influence you should not get a second chance. Driving is a privledge and not a right.Each drunken driver should serve Mandatory Jail time, get a Suspended license,partake in a substance abuse program as well as having to face and listen to families that have lost a loved one due to the negligence of a drunk driver.Once the sentence and all programs are completed I think a driver who has been convicted of driving under the influence and his driving privledges returned should have a special tag indicating that he or she has had a DUI. After a period of time and a proven track record , then a offender may earn back the right to lose this labeling. Driving drunk is serious business and deserves a serious consequence even if their is no injury or loss of life involved.
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| Aug 1, 2007 @ 5:40 PM |
Hit and Run.Grrrrrrrrrrrr
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outlaw_star
Posts: 1,089
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Each drunken driver should serve Mandatory Jail time, get a Suspended license,partake in a substance abuse program as well as having to face and listen to families that have lost a loved one due to the negligence of a drunk driver.
Good idea but the suspended drivers license option wont work, While checking out the HSCO website I found about 8 people arrested for driving with a suspended drivers license and most of them were repeat offenders.
I would suggest in addition to the suspended license that their vehicle be sold and the money given to a victims support program or MADD program.
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| Aug 1, 2007 @ 6:55 PM |
Hit and Run.Grrrrrrrrrrrr |
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honeybear285
Posts: 186
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Great idea Outlaw that way they don't have a car to drive. I am not sure if you have to show proof of a driver's license and insurance before you buy a car, but that should be mandatory as well ....how about mandatory community service as well for DUI offenders, maybe at a coroners. You know seeing the end results of drunk driving before the bodies are prettied up for the funerals. Worms,I tell you, they are worms.
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| Aug 1, 2007 @ 7:12 PM |
Hit and Run.Grrrrrrrrrrrr
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Dovestreasure
Posts: 3,419
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All great ideas.. I suggested the special tag on their car so those of us on the road will be aware that this is an individual that was convicted of driving under the influence.Public humiliation MAY act as a deterrant to some.It would be great if previous offenders that complete all aspects of their sentence also be required to have restricted license for some mandated length of time.If bars were required to card all drinkers and notated the drunk driver classification, this individual would NOT be allowed to be served alchoholic beverages. I know they can still drink at home and get on the road, but its mind boggling how many individuals stumble out of a bar and drive home. 
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| Aug 1, 2007 @ 8:21 PM |
Hit and Run.Grrrrrrrrrrrr |
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witchietoo
Posts: 2,630
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I would suggest in addition to the suspended license that their vehicle be sold and the money given to a victims support program or MADD program.
They wouldn't do that for two reasons
You can get a hardship license if you are the only one working and that is your sole means of transportation and income.
If there is only one car in the household, you can't punish the whole family. Anyone who has ever lived with an alcoholic knows, you can't control them, they tend to lie and do whatever to get their fix. This is one I know about very well as I lived it for 6 years. One time my ex took my SS Monte while he was drunk one night and I was sleeping. I went out to go to work and the car was basically totaled, no way I could drive it 1/2 an hour away, it was that bad. Went in woke his drunk butt up, he calmed he hit a wall, only had two beers and was fishing. I let it go for a bit, waited till he was asleep again and then I called the cops. Turned out the jerk hit a parked van and did 4,000 worth of damage on it. Me being me and really really pissed...I turned him in. They impounded the car only as it was evidence and I was the only one allowed to get the car out. 125.00 later I picked up the car, got an estimate at the same time. 7200 worth of damage to it. I still get pissed about it...I liked that car it replaced my mustang Anyway, he was arrested (he admitted to the cops he was drinking and left the accident,) the car was totaled, I didn't get anything as it wasn't fully paid off yet and he ended up in rehab for 30 days two weeks later. No rehab didn't work, that would be a major reason he is an ex...lol
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| Aug 1, 2007 @ 8:28 PM |
Hit and Run.Grrrrrrrrrrrr
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witchietoo
Posts: 2,630
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You know seeing the end results of drunk driving before the bodies are prettied up for the funerals.
Honeybear as great as that would be, it doesn't always work. When I was in EMS I hung out with a bunch of heavy drinkers...I can't tell you how many times they drove drunk. They could pick up the bodies, but always had that it will never happen to me attitude. I know for me, accident due to drunks was one reason I wouldn't drink and drive. Having a couple of friends killed by a drunk driver helped that too, but some people just don't get it and do it anyway. I also made a deal with my parents way back when, I just had to call for a ride if I was drinking. I could go back for my car in the morning, no questions asked. My dad was a cop, so if he couldn't get me he would send a patrol car for me. Never once did he say a word to me about drinking as I did the right thing and never drove drunk. Even now and the parties I have gone to, I have one, maybe two drinks and that is it for the night.
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| Aug 1, 2007 @ 8:53 PM |
Hit and Run.Grrrrrrrrrrrr |
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fuchia04
Posts: 953
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Well, I know I wouldn't appreciate being hit by a drunk driver. Considering I walk miles to work along busy streets, I would be especially vulnerable to any drunk driver happening that way, so I can definitely agree that we need to do whatever it takes to keep these very irresponsible individuals of the roads. It amazes me, that DUI convicts have the nerve to get back in the car and drive on a suspended license.  That definitely deserves a lengthy prison sentence. I like Outlaw's idea of confiscating their car, so they can't do it again - I think the proceeds should go to the victims. What a fitting punishment that would be! 
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