Nearly a Hit and Run Victim

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BootScootin'FireFighter
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Nearly a Hit and Run Victim

Post by BootScootin'FireFighter »

I'm OK! Although I'm f*%in steaming right now. Just got home from the local target with my wife on our twin Buddy 125s and had a near catastrophic incident I needed to share and get off my chest. While sitting at a red light waiting to turn right, a D-Bag in his Ford Focus in front of us apparently didn't like our headlights shining in his car and felt like being a tough-guy, and let us know by turning around and staring at my 5' tall wife. When the light went green, he thought it fitting to wait several seconds trying to instigate before proceeding his right turn onto a main thoroughfare. He turned into the right of 2 lanes and proceeded to slow down to a slow enough speed to be obviously looking for a fight of some kind. Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of lower speed limits, but there comes a point where it's obvious this cager is looking to start trouble and nearly stopping on a busy road. My wife in the lead signaled and passed on the left, and I followed. At this point, he feels well endowded enough in his Ford Focus mind you, to accelerate up to our speed, nearly 40mph now to prevent me from passing him, and roll down his window with his arm out over the top of the door and looking over at me instead of straight ahead. Thank God this was at 9:45 at night instead of a much busier time in the DC Metro where that roadway would be chocked with traffic instead of just a small trickle of traffic.
This turned into a game of matching speed, as I would back off a bit, and he would do the same, speed up, and so on. I was in the left lane, he in the right. My wife farther ahead in the left unaware of what was transpiring. After about 1/4 mile of this nonsense, he starts drifting over into my lane about halfway. I was approaching the right turn for my apartment complex, so I felt confident that my lady was far enough ahead of this penis, to back off once again and try to get back into the right lane. I saw an opening and started to drift right and then he completely locked up his brakes. Quick reflexes had me lock up mine and lean hard left, causing me to dump the bike within 3 feet of his hatchback. I left the bike where it lay on its side and ran ahead to get his tag # as he drove off. Wifey was safe on the right sidewalk and nearly in tears thinking I'd been injured. A few cracks and scratches on the scoot, and some road rash abrasions on my right knee left hip and left forearm, and a small tear in my Corazzo jacket.

Had I rear ended his vehicle, it would have been a lot worse, somewhere along the lines of major neck or back injury. Fortunately I was wearing my full-face and my head never hit anything. I was also wearing jeans, so that helped big time, and hats off to my jacket for saving my arms from further cosmetic damage.

So I figured I had enough to go by with his liscense plate, so once the police arrived, I was kindly informed that since there was no contact and it was not witnessed, that there was no grounds to prosecute or charges to be filed in the Commonwealth of Virginia..... bull poop. My first instinct would've been to run over and start wailing on this guys car, pull him out by his ears and beat the piss out of him. I thought taking the high road would've been a better option, especially since I'm in a very competitive hiring process involving major background checks. I can't afford something like that on my record to flush all that down the drain. My main concern was that this punk focused his anger on me instead of my girl, instead of racing ahead to provoke her. Anyway I have nothing to go with except to kiss and hug Julie a lot more tonight, thank God for letting me ride another day unscathed, and sharing this story to my friends on scooters.

I'll post some pics tomorrow when it's light out. FYI, if you see a black ford focus with Virginia tags:

JKA 4198


drop a U lock on his windshield for me!

Peace, love and safe scooting! CG
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jfrost2
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Post by jfrost2 »

Police will never be on your side when you report these type of incidents, but they will be your enemy for going 2-3MPH over the speed limit just to get income anyway possible.

There will always be people like this, I've had my fair share of jerks who've tried to run me off the road too. Sometimes I day dream while riding, dreaming if they'd just get all 4 flat tires and pull over to the side of the road where I could watch and laugh. They'll always get away with it unless a officer is actually near by to watch, but with a actual cop car near, no one is dumb enough to attempt running you off the road.

There have been a few members who've been chased or run off and a off duty officer caught the offender, it's always too bad that there arent always police around to see the injustice.

All you can do is ride defensive, let people be jerks and have their way so you dont get hurt, and be aware of every car around you on the road. Sometimes in situations like yours, you have to take a fall to save yourself, and pay for the damage with your own pocket, but it's better than a broken limb and hospital stay. You can always get another bike, or fixed one up, but you cant purchase a new life.
Last edited by jfrost2 on Fri Apr 16, 2010 3:19 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Lostmycage
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Post by Lostmycage »

Glad you're OK. That's F***ed. It's a shame the police won't do anything about road rage incidents. Why is it that your gal didn't count as a witness?
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BootScootin'FireFighter
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Post by BootScootin'FireFighter »

well, there actually were several witnesses, willing to make a report. Not witnessed is that the police actually have to be there to watch it occur, nobody else is a credible enough witness to charge someone. How that is the case when all the stories match up is beyond me, but that's the world we live in. If you call to complain about an aggressive driver or speeding vehicles, there is nothing they can do to the said driver unless they were actually witnessed or clocked by the officer. I'll have to talk to a few more cops I know and get some clarification, even dig into the VA motor vehicle traffic code.
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Post by Skootz Kabootz »

That is awful! Really glad you are OK and in one piece. Hope your scooter is OK too. Your Girlfriend is lucky to have you looking out for her.

A short while back I had a guy run up beside me in his SUV, match my speed, and deliberately drift over into my lane and try to run me off the road (here's my post about it). Totally f'd up no matter how you look at it. Fortunately for me some traffic stopped up ahead forced him to slow down and I lane split to get away. Sorry you didn't have that same opportunity.

I was angry for days after my incident. Best thing I can say it to try your best to let the anger go. It wasn't easy for me, and I had to work hard to stay in an appropriate, safe, state of mind for riding. But for my efforts I am now a wiser/safer rider and better prepared for any other jerks I may encounter on the roads. Hopefully they will be few and far between for all of us.
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PIStaker
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Karma is a bitch

Post by PIStaker »

Karma is a bitch bro.
...Just wish it didn't take so long.
A douche will always be a douche.
Leave the dirty work for someone else.
Scoot on.
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Quo Vadimus
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Post by Quo Vadimus »

One wonders if you could still make a case in civil court with all of those witnesses...

Glad you're both okay.
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Post by lmyers »

When I pull up behind a car at night and am just sitting waiting on a light, I turn the front tire to the left a bit so my headlight doesn't shine in their mirror. I wish trucks and SUVs could do the same. Glad you came out of it intact and your wife wasn't the immediate target.
Vic
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Post by Vic »

Quo Vadimus wrote:One wonders if you could still make a case in civil court with all of those witnesses...

Glad you're both okay.
Oh, that is a GOOD idea!

I would love to see some dirtbag like that get a nice dressing down by Judge Judy!

-v
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nateandcourt
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Post by nateandcourt »

Vic wrote:
Quo Vadimus wrote:One wonders if you could still make a case in civil court with all of those witnesses...

Glad you're both okay.
Oh, that is a GOOD idea!

I would love to see some dirtbag like that get a nice dressing down by Judge Judy!

-v
Yes you most certainly can make a case in civil court. Even if charges were not placed against him. Just be sure to go to court prepared, with witnesses if possible. (notarized statements in my state are considered hearsay)

If this is the path you choose please remember that he will still be on the road afterwards. He already seems easily provoked, and may target you. I hate situations like this.

I maced a guy who approached my scoot once looking for a fight. Sped off as he crawled back into his car. Went to the local police station told them what happened in-case he tried to file charges. Your state may be different, but in Louisiana we have a "shoot the carjacker" law. According to the police he was lucky, but I never carry on my scooter. I would not feel safe for myself or others if I happened to go down.
"Ah, this is obviously some strange usage of the word 'safe' that I wasn't previously aware of. "

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Ray Knobs
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Post by Ray Knobs »

nateandcourt wrote: I maced a guy who approached my scoot once looking for a fight. Sped off as he crawled back into his car.
That's awesome.

I feel the opposite about carrying. For some reason that scooter attracts a lot of attention good and bad.
I just got a nice IWB Cross Breed super tuck holster for my XD.
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nateandcourt
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Post by nateandcourt »

Ray Knobs wrote:
nateandcourt wrote: I maced a guy who approached my scoot once looking for a fight. Sped off as he crawled back into his car.
That's awesome.

I feel the opposite about carrying. For some reason that scooter attracts a lot of attention good and bad.
I just got a nice IWB Cross Breed super tuck holster for my XD.

You are correct on attracting attention, I fly past honda kids all day long only to hear them rev the engine to beat the scooter that passed them... :roll:


Was it the deluxe model? I do not have one but man they are comfortable. They had some demos at my cousin's shooting range. ugly as heck though haha.
"Ah, this is obviously some strange usage of the word 'safe' that I wasn't previously aware of. "

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Ray Knobs
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Post by Ray Knobs »

There own website says "the ugliest holster you'll every own"

It's seems very comfortable, i gotta start using it more often.

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Post by irishtim »

I like the padding above the belt line. That'd be a big help when reholstering. Nice!
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Post by LuvMyScoot »

What a nutjob this guy is! Glad you and your girl are both ok. Makes me want to go down to VA, hunt this guy down and plant a really girly "I heart scooters" on his back bumper during the middle of the night.
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Post by bigbropgo »

LuvMyScoot wrote:What a nutjob this guy is! Glad you and your girl are both ok. Makes me want to go down to VA, hunt this guy down and plant a really girly "I heart scooters" on his back bumper during the middle of the night.
WHOA, simmer down missy.

Just playin. I know what you mean though. I think it was Cheshire that has a crazy story from last year with a guy right in his face. Its hard to know the right action to follow. Seek justice or move on and be thankful all involved are ok.

Or find out where he lives and burn the dudes house to the ground. :twisted:
no i don't ride a scooter, i am a scooter pilot!
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Post by gearhead »

glad you are ok. this makes me think of putting nos on mine just in case something like this happens to me
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Post by UnionZac »

Glad you're ok. That completely sucks, but thank god it wasn't as bad as it could've been. Its pretty sad that police wouldn't at least follow up with the dude. Even if they couldn't prosecute him, you'd think they would enjoy harassing someone w/some actual justification for a change.

I think scooterist (and probably dealers as well) need a lobby.
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ishi
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Post by ishi »

The cop may have said you have no recourse, but it might not be true.

If you want justice, get a lawyer. If you have witnesses then you should be able to do something to him.

Lawyer up and tell him you want this guy f***ed.

You might end up owning his Ford Focus, then he can try to exhibit road rage from the sidewalk as he hoofs it home from work.
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phuocsandiego
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Post by phuocsandiego »

So did you sue him in a civil case in court? Tell us the outcome please... this guy won't even show and will lose by default. Then you can really start messing with him by getting a court order to garnish his wages to pay the settlement... you can't let people like this take advantage of you. :evil:
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Post by Vic »

nateandcourt wrote:
Ray Knobs wrote:
nateandcourt wrote:

I feel the opposite about carrying. For some reason that scooter attracts a lot of attention good and bad.
I just got a nice IWB Cross Breed super tuck holster for my XD.
You are correct on attracting attention, I fly past honda kids all day long only to hear them rev the engine to beat the scooter that passed them... :roll:

Was it the deluxe model? I do not have one but man they are comfortable. They had some demos at my cousin's shooting range. ugly as heck though haha.
Or, people could be so thoroughly convinced that you are either too scary to care how ridiculous you look or too insane to know it and they leave you alone for that reason.

I am here to say that there are some really-REALLY scary parts of Cincinnati.

Last year I was on my pretty little Sunset Orange Buddy with my bright raspberry textile jacket and my shiny pink helmet, I had a purple polka-dot fleece scarf wound around my neck and my favorite pair of petal pink Keds on.

Now, I am seriously navigationally impaired, I can find my way out of a wet paper bag, given enough time, but much more than that and you had better be prepared to send in reinforcements.

"Can't find my ass with both hands, a map, a compass and a Boy Scout to lead the way" is how I generally sum things up. And that is a pretty large target to find. :wink:

This was my first time attempting to navigate Cincinnati by myself (and my last, I assure you). I left the bar at about 6pm, I was not seen, nor heard from, again until I finally located Metro Scooter (to my understanding this is typically a 10 minute ride, often less) at about 10pm (yeah, 4 hours for a 10 minute ride). I then had to turn around :cry: and locate another location on the map that I had never been to, that only took about 2 hours.

I managed to find the airport, toured downtown, went along the riverfront and I suspect that I might have even made it into Kentucky at one point in time, I also saw some extremely scary parts of town where I studiously kept my helmet facing forward and kept right on going.

I think that they looked at the chick in the crazy getup, riding, of all things, a SCOOTER and decided that they did not want any part of whatever it was I might have ben bringing with me because obviously, I had to be bringing something!

-v
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BootScootin'FireFighter
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Post by BootScootin'FireFighter »

that's funny.... The airport is in Kentucky!
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Re: Karma is a bitch

Post by kneil67@yahoo.com »

monamibuddy wrote:Karma is a bitch bro.
...Just wish it didn't take so long.
A douche will always be a douche.
Leave the dirty work for someone else.
Scoot on.
karma is justice without satisfaction :wink:
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Post by Vic »

No, I found another, much smaller airport. I couldn't tell you where it was, but it was not the Cincy airport located in KY, if I had found that I would have at least had a clue where I was! I was good and lost.
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I figured out at this year's rally that at about 9:30pm that fateful night I had stopped at a Kroger that was less than 100 yards from the shop to get some Advil. :roll:
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I signed up VZW Navigator on my Blackberry when I got home. I also verified that I can, with a simple phone call, 24/7/365, add Navigator back on and get directions back home again in an instant!
.
-v
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