Don't Hit and Run a 'CSI' Fan

Recently, I was driving my son and daughter to an appointment. It was taking much longer than we had anticipated to get to the doctor’s office, due to all of the construction. Then, all of a sudden, while stopped at a red light, we were hit from behind. Startled and shocked, I made sure the kids were OK, then tried to get my bearings of what had happened. Before I knew what was occurring, the driver that hit me drove away. 

Really? Who does that? Why drive away? With really no place to stop due to the construction, I decided to go past the construction, and then stop. As I drove, I begin to drive by the car that hit us, which was waiting to turn in the left turn lane. I began waving my arms, honking, flailing every which way I can to get the driver’s attention to pull over to call the police, but to no avail. So, I do what any run of the mill avid Law & Order and CSI watcher would do: I got the driver’s license plate, description of the car and description of the driver as best I could remember in a passing second or two. 

When the police arrived, I provided them with all of the information I could remember. We discussed what had occurred and then waited. Within minutes, thanks to my TV police training, they had the address for the registered vehicle and were going to head that way. The officer then mentioned that I would likely need to come in for a lineup to identify the other driver. Now this was getting very exciting!

Unfortunately, my police business would come to a quick end. The officer called to let me know the other driver would be coming in with a parent shortly and my presence would not be required. I must admit, I was pleased the driver was coming in, but was a little bummed my years of CSI skills would not be necessary.

The officer said something to me after the accident that has stayed with me. He said, in a nutshell, “I can’t understand why people choose to not do the right thing.” I know with this driver that hit me, it could have been fear, anger, panic, construction frustration, who knows. I don’t. It would have been much easier on all of us if the driver had chosen to do what is the law and pull over. Unfortunately, the driver chose to not do the right thing. Hopefully, a lesson learned. And a court date scheduled.