Witness to idiocy.

[gridlore]

Look at the map.

I was behind a car on Charcot heading west. When our light turned green the other car moved into the intersection when a car coming south on Zanker ran the light and nailed her. The person who had been hit managed to move over to the curb, the idiot's car wasn't going anywhere anytime soon.

Thank Halford for voice dialing. I was onto 911 as I maneuvered around the wreck to a parking lot. The red-light runner, a SE Asain man, was out of his car and when I asked if he needed medical assistance replied "No, I'm fine." in perfect English.

The other driver wasn't so well off. Apart from the panic reaction, she was complaining of neck pain. I, along with several workers from the building at the intersection, kept her company and calmed her until the police and fire department showed up. At first, she declined an ambulance, but the FD talked sense into her.

While that was going on, I was performing as Doug Berry, Eye Witness. Since I saw the entire thing, the police really wanted my statement and contact information. No problem. I loathe red-light runners. As I was confirming my driver's license information, another officer walked up and said that the idiot was calling a friend to translate for him. Oh, really? I told both officers about speaking with the idiot earlier, and mentioned that I had been on my Bluetooth to 911 at the time. They found that interesting.

There is a special circle of Hell reserved for red-light runners.

Not sure if my role in this little drama is over. I can't imagine being called as a witness in any criminal trial, and assuming both drivers had insurance, the accident is pretty straight-forward. But I'll let you know if that changes.

Comments

[fabricdragon.livejournal.com]

i agree entirely about a special place in hell for red light runners

that said..... in any case where English isnt your FIRST language, it is sensible to have an interpreter before giving legal testimony or etc.

they DRIL the deaf folks on that.... because what if you mis understand a question? and your "yes " to what you thought was "a simple question is interpreted to mean yes to something else?

[chaotic-nipple.livejournal.com]

What she said. OTOH, if this guy's 'perfect English' indicates it's (one of) his first language(s), then he sucks.

[dalen-talas.livejournal.com]

Refusing first aid is just stupid. I once tried to convince a woman with a nasty scalp bleed who tripped on subway stairs to wait while I called in an ambulance, or at least got a station agent with a medkit over. She just kept saying "No", then turned and left.

Unfortunately, the current situation forces people to equate "hospital" with "financial run and/or deportation". Even at the cost of possible danger to life and limb.

[robertprior.livejournal.com]

Chap I know in the US got a $1000 bill for a ride to the hospital down the road. He had insurance, but I can see someone without it not having that kind of money to spend. (And feeling OK at first, being still in shock.*)


*I watched a woman total her car once. Paramedics arrived but she refused a ride to the hospital and they didn't push it. OPP offered to drop her off at the closest train station, but a doctor who has also stopped said she'd go into shock long before the train arrived so I drove her to the next town to hospital. In 20 minutes she was beginning to shiver, and by the time we got to the hospital she was nicely in shock. I'm really glad the doctor pushed for her to go to the hospital. (Being in Canada, it didn't cost her a penny, and all it cost me was time and gas — well worth it.)

[drewkitty.livejournal.com]

In urban areas the paramedics charge little to nothing to check you out. In rural areas the consequences of being wrong are much more life-threatening, so transport to the nearest ER somehow is definitely indicated.

[claidheamhmor]

Grrr. Red light runner, and trying to fake lack of English!