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LEO advice needed- Hit & Run

Doppelgangirl

Doppelgangirl

Dreaming of the ‘90’s
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Hey everybody.

So, the day before yesterday I was coming out of a store and hit by a truck walking to my car.

The guy did stop, apologize, etc. I almost just brushed it off. But I was hit pretty hard, so I wanted his info. As I'm standing at the passenger window, I notice a Bud Lite can in the cup holder, bag of BL in passenger seat. I went to take a pic, he threw it in the bag. I went to take another pic, he put the bag in the backseat. He was clearly very nervous, wrote down his name & phone number, but the number is barely legible. I did manage however, to get a picture of his plates, and am going later to see if the store has it on video.

Yes, I should have called police. Thought I was basically ok, figured I could file a report later. Duh.

Here's the thing...

After doing some research, discovered the guy that hit me **was** the police. 25-year retired lieutenant of the county SD, actually ran for Sheriff of our county in 2012!

This happened while at my folks. It's a small GA town, old-boy-club type place. The same people investigating the incident are probably this guys former subordinates. I'm tempted to just keep my mouth shut, because something like this will definitely cause a 'stir' around there.

But I also feel obligated to report it even more so. Precisely because of this mans position. How many people has he taken to jail for the very same behavior??? I guess I'm afraid of the small town blowback that will fall on my family. Maybe I'm overthinking it, which is why I'm posting.

Advice, anyone?
 
Do what you feel is right. Always. Sometimes that means bad will come your way. But doing what you feel is right regardless of the consequences is all that you can ever do or you end up being just like that which you oppose or are against.
 
Doppelgangirl said:
Hey everybody.

So, the day before yesterday I was coming out of a store and hit by a truck walking to my car.

The guy did stop, apologize, etc. I almost just brushed it off. But I was hit pretty hard, so I wanted his info. As I'm standing at the passenger window, I notice a Bud Lite can in the cup holder, bag of BL in passenger seat. I went to take a pic, he threw it in the bag. I went to take another pic, he put the bag in the backseat. He was clearly very nervous, wrote down his name & phone number, but the number is barely legible. I did manage however, to get a picture of his plates, and am going later to see if the store has it on video.

Yes, I should have called police. Thought I was basically ok, figured I could file a report later. Duh.

Here's the thing...

After doing some research, discovered the guy that hit me **was** the police. 25-year retired lieutenant of the county SD, actually ran for Sheriff of our county in 2012!

This happened while at my folks. It's a small GA town, old-boy-club type place. The same people investigating the incident are probably this guys former subordinates. I'm tempted to just keep my mouth shut, because something like this will definitely cause a 'stir' around there.

But I also feel obligated to report it even more so. Precisely because of this mans position. How many people has he taken to jail for the very same behavior??? I guess I'm afraid of the small town blowback that will fall on my family. Maybe I'm overthinking it, which is why I'm posting.

Advice, anyone?
Click to expand...

My advice: stay true to you and let your conscience guide you.

What I think I would do -

1. lean toward a medical assessment if I felt pain or noticed any evidence of injury.

2. seek consultation from a personal injury attorney.

3. specific to my personality and skill set - I would write my own 'incident report' and send it via email, U.S. mail or hand-delivery to more than a few influential people in the community.
 
Kal'Stang said:
Do what you feel is right. Always. Sometimes that means bad will come your way. But doing what you feel is right regardless of the consequences is all that you can ever do or you end up being just like that which you oppose or are against.
Click to expand...

Trippy Trekker said:
My advice: stay true to you and let your conscience guide you.

What I think I would do -

1. lean toward a medical assessment if I felt pain or noticed any evidence of injury.

2. seek consultation from a personal injury attorney.

3. specific to my personality and skill set - I would write my own 'incident report' and send it via email, U.S. mail or hand-delivery to more than a few influential people in the community.
Click to expand...



Yes, I was hurt.

But what bothers me most is the sheer amount of **hypocrisy** involved. It burns my biscuit!
 
Fun side note:

I got a 'technical' DUI in the same county over a decade ago. There's a 50/50 chance this guy was the supervisor the night I got arrested.
 
be careful....

first piece of advice is to see if there is visual evidence to help backup your story....

otherwise it is a he said/she said type of event that can easily be swept away, but as you said, he could cause issues for you and the family

if visual evidence, by all means, then follow through

if not, let sleeping dogs lie
 
Doppelgangirl said:
Hey everybody.

So, the day before yesterday I was coming out of a store and hit by a truck walking to my car.

The guy did stop, apologize, etc. I almost just brushed it off. But I was hit pretty hard, so I wanted his info. As I'm standing at the passenger window, I notice a Bud Lite can in the cup holder, bag of BL in passenger seat. I went to take a pic, he threw it in the bag. I went to take another pic, he put the bag in the backseat. He was clearly very nervous, wrote down his name & phone number, but the number is barely legible. I did manage however, to get a picture of his plates, and am going later to see if the store has it on video.

Yes, I should have called police. Thought I was basically ok, figured I could file a report later. Duh.

Here's the thing...

After doing some research, discovered the guy that hit me **was** the police. 25-year retired lieutenant of the county SD, actually ran for Sheriff of our county in 2012!

This happened while at my folks. It's a small GA town, old-boy-club type place. The same people investigating the incident are probably this guys former subordinates. I'm tempted to just keep my mouth shut, because something like this will definitely cause a 'stir' around there.

But I also feel obligated to report it even more so. Precisely because of this mans position. How many people has he taken to jail for the very same behavior??? I guess I'm afraid of the small town blowback that will fall on my family. Maybe I'm overthinking it, which is why I'm posting.

Advice, anyone?
Click to expand...

Hire an attorney-if you have an lasting damages, you will need medical care.
 
gdgyva said:
be careful....

first piece of advice is to see if there is visual evidence to help backup your story....

otherwise it is a he said/she said type of event that can easily be swept away, but as you said, he could cause issues for you and the family

if visual evidence, by all means, then follow through

if not, let sleeping dogs lie
Click to expand...


Video evidence confirmed.

Plus an eyewitness.
 
TurtleDude said:
Hire an attorney-if you have an lasting damages, you will need medical care.
Click to expand...

Curiously--

If there is ample evidence do you think an attorney would take a case on contingency?

Or am I going to be out-of-pocket regardless?
 
Doppelgangirl said:
Curiously--

If there is ample evidence do you think an attorney would take a case on contingency?

Or am I going to be out-of-pocket regardless?
Click to expand...

honestly-depends on your damages and state law. in some areas, if you win the other side has to pay your reasonable attorney fees. In some states, its a percentage of what you win
 
depends on damages

you said earlier, your injuries were very minor

the reason you wanted to come forward is that you thought he was LEO

so what is in for the attorney? what damages can be claimed? he get 35-40% of damages claimed plus expenses...no damages, no paycheck

i would take what you have to the DA...not an attorney....and leave it at that....and see if they can build a case
 
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