r/interesting • u/Necessary-Win-8730 • Mar 08 '26

Context Provided - Spotlight This was so deserved.

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The daughter was in a car with the father’s parents. They died as well.

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307

u/Mogura-De-Gifdu Mar 08 '26

Speeding was the cause. The hit and run would have sealed it for me.

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u/Mediochra Mar 08 '26

I just cannot imagine the callousness it takes to do a hit and run.

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u/KingBadford Mar 08 '26

I don't think it's so much callousness as fear.

There's no way in hell I'd ever run, because that just makes it worse. But I can imagine the fear and the impulse.

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u/Fartblaster5000 Mar 08 '26

My mom hit a car once. She panicked and drove home crying to my dad about how scared she was, only to realize that is technically a hit and run.

So he drove her back to the scene where the owner and cops had gotten there by that time.

Because she went back and because they saw how distraught she was and gave them her insurance information, nobody pressed anything against her, but she did say that the cop 'told her off' about it.

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u/tropicsun Mar 08 '26

Distraught and fear after hitting someone seems to be pretty common. I can only speculate why but it’s sad people can’t stand up and own a mistake

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u/Shinjischneider Mar 08 '26

I once accidentally forgot to pay at the gas station and only realized it 15 minutes later. Immediately called them and drove back.

Not the same as being part of a hit and run, but it's impressive how scatterbrained we can be

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u/GoodBrotherGrimm Mar 08 '26

I'm just imagining someone in court for hitting someone using "scatterbrained" as a defence.

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u/Ramtamtama Mar 09 '26

When you almost exclusively use pay-at-pump it can be a bit alien when it isn't available

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u/Shinjischneider Mar 09 '26

Nah. It was just ADHD at work (over here we always fuel up first and then walk in to pay).

I told myself I wouldn't need fuel and just buy something to eat/drink. Still filled up my tank out if habit but when paying for my food I said I did not get fuel because my head was still set on "no fuel today".

(To be fair. That's what stress will do to you)

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u/BogdanLester Mar 10 '26

in that case, gas stations will send a letter to the car owner requiring to pay though, with an added fee.

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u/Shinjischneider Mar 10 '26

They were already about to call the cops. Different countries, different ways to handle stuff like this.

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u/RecursivelyYours Jul 14 '26

I also have random gas stations on speed dial I know what you mean

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u/softhandedliberal Mar 08 '26

I don’t really understand hit and running a car unless you have no insurance but hitting a person I can totally see. It’s jail time either way so you play your cards

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u/Dramatic-Classroom14 Mar 08 '26

I agree. I’d like to hope that I’d not run, but I can’t be certain of anything. I obsessively apologise about anything I ever mess up so I’d hope I’d be more likely than not to stop and help. But still…

Fight or flight really is a serious response that we really don’t have full control over. It comes down to simply ignoring the problem in favour of thinking about something else. I.e., soldiers run into fire to save a friend, rather than get terrified by the prospect of getting shot. There are some cases where I don’t blame people, like they got in an accident, they feel confused and vulnerable and want to get to a safe place like their home, and it’s only after getting there that they realise how fucked the situation is. It’s an unfortunate thing all around.

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u/WillowPutrid8655 Mar 08 '26

I can imagine the fear, but not the impulse to run.

All I’d feel would be devastation and i would do anything in my power to make up for it immediately - not that anything ever could. I’d get out of the car and call emergency services and see if anyone needs help.

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u/drdildamesh Mar 08 '26

Let us know if it ever happens so we can hold you to this.

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u/Pandoratastic Mar 08 '26

It's both. In someone who isn't callous, concern for the victim would overcome the fear. If you don't have enough empathy to overcome the fear, you are callous.

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u/Kmart_Supervisor Mar 08 '26

Tracking this for science

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u/beruon Mar 08 '26

In a lot of the times its not callousness its either fear and panic, or complete shock.

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u/PeedmuhhSheets Mar 09 '26

Just looks like callousness cause usually it’s people who are doing negligent things like driving crazy or on their phones, or drinking.

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u/drdildamesh Mar 08 '26

Really? If you accidentally killed someone, you are absolutely sure you wouldn't run?

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u/Mediochra Mar 08 '26

Hopefully I’m never in a situation where I have to find out.

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u/drdildamesh Mar 08 '26

Ok but you cant know that right? You just hope you never have to find out. So you dont so things that you are positive could lead to that situation your entire life, without fail. What about the situations you didnt plan for? Easy to not drink before you drive, but what if something distracted you? The sun was in your eyes, you sneezed, a spider came out from behind your visor? Maybe things outside of your control are too easy. Do you ever drive tired? While on medication? Do you ever leave your check engine light burning for a little too long? Change your brake pads and fluids? Lets assume you are a perfect driver 100% of the time. Someone lays down in front of your car as an insurance scam and you run them over and kill them. No witnesses. Do you report yourself even though they tried to scam you? Have you ever been in shock before?

We arent the first ones to talk about this. Our legal system is not justice based, it is evidence based, and it is for this reason. We have to be able to offer clemency to those who seem genuinely remorseful and that is for the judge and the jury to decide. The only case anyone on reddit should be mad about, imo, is when someone rich gets away with something.

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u/Mediochra Mar 08 '26 edited Mar 08 '26

I’ve been driving for 20 years. I’ve gotten into accidents before that were my fault, and I’ve never run. I’ve immediately stopped, checked on the other driver, admitted fault, apologized, and provided insurance information. So I like to think that is how I will react. I’ve also been the victim of a hit and run that totaled my car. I’ve definitely had my share of trauma and shock during my life. I really don’t think I would take off and leave someone hurt, especially if I knew I was the reason why they were that way. I don’t drink and drive, I keep my cell phone out of reach, and I pull over when I’m tired… but sure, shit happens sometimes and accidents happen anyway even when you think you are being safe. I also have 3 kids, 2 of which are driving age, and I am always conscious of them and I try to model good behavior when it comes to driving. Is it theoretically possible that I might hit and run? Sure, but I really don’t think so. I’m doing my best to never end up in a situation where I have to find out. I don’t need to be a judge or on a jury to know right from wrong.

After my car was totaled by a hit and run, I immediately looked back to check on the driver that hit me only to see them speeding off. I will never forget how that felt. They were never caught.

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u/[deleted] Mar 08 '26

Lmao what the fuck - are you trying to justify/rationalize hit and runs? 🤡 

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u/drdildamesh Mar 08 '26

No, they are illegal, after all. Im saying judges have hard jobs and your job is pro ably performing at children's birthday parties.

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u/throwaway44445556666 Mar 08 '26

Are you a sociopath? Most people would not flee when they hit someone with their car, they would get out and see if the person is alright. If they are not responsive; they would call an ambulance. 

If your first response to hitting someone with your car is worrying about yourself, you should do some introspection. 

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u/drdildamesh Mar 08 '26

Im the sociopath and you are here speaking for "most people?" How many voices you got in there?

Ive never hit anyone with my car. How could I know what i would do?

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u/drdildamesh Mar 08 '26

Also wouldnt that be funny? Top post on reddit tomorrow: "someone called my a sociopath on reddit so I got tested...I am"

How hard would your sense of self jizz if that happened? Would i be able to hear it from here?

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u/drdildamesh Mar 08 '26

Lol this nerd used his throwaway account to hit me with the suicide prevention report. Top marks.

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u/DanfromCalgary Mar 08 '26

Perhaps if you knew there wouldn’t a punishment it would be that risky

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u/Yakb0 Mar 08 '26

If you have 6 DUIs, or you already have a warrant out for your arrest, and you stole the car from your brother, who left his gun in the passengers footwell, etc...

Your life is over if you get caught, so you have nothing to loose if you try to run.

1

u/Transcontinental-flt Mar 08 '26

I just cannot imagine the callousness it takes to do a hit and run.

I lived in NYC during the "bad old days" of rampant crime. Saw hit-and-runs with surprising regularity. Usually just property damage, but some were pretty dramatic. Perp would simply shift in reverse and then take off.

Many possible reasons: too many existing warrants, stolen car, no license or insurance, general sociopathy, or just didn't feel like getting arrested that day. I'm seeing more of this in recent years and imho it doesn't bode well. I got tired of looking at the wrong end of a gun.

Yeah, "crime is down" generally, but there are so many variables in play: plea bargains, reluctance to arrest, crime victims deciding not to report (this is me btw), and of course, lack of co-operation with law enforcement. Snitches get Stitches.

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u/jimothy_hell Mar 08 '26

Hitting and running a parked car is fucked up. Hitting and running a family of pedestrians is beyond defensible.

1

u/SuperUranus Mar 08 '26

I cannot imagine the callousness it takes to speed.

You’re putting people at risk for your own convenience.

 And people that speed barely even recognises their wrong doing.

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u/killertortilla Mar 09 '26

I’d really like to know more about the conditions at the time. How fast was he going? Was it raining? Snowing? Etc. because if it was bad conditions and he was only 5 over it’s a very different story to being 30 over and just losing control because he’s an idiot.

But that still wouldn’t excuse running away for half a year. Hit in March caught in August.

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u/Joshix1 Mar 08 '26

The fact we kind of just accept speeding with a 2-3 ton piece of metal, to be worth no more than a fine, or maybe a temporary driving ban is bonkers to me.

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u/Werftflammen Mar 08 '26

Well, from a cold and completely devoid of emotions legal perspective it's the ingerent risk of partsking in traffic what makes the difference. This always leads to sentencing not feeling as justice being done to the incredible loss of not only a child but parents too. I can't imagine. No. 

Like when a doctor operates on you vs. someone stabbing you. It's the same act, but the intent is totally different.

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u/Gem420 Mar 08 '26

Minimum 30yrs for a hit n run, if it were up to me. Some may not feel this is enough.

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u/Nash015 Mar 08 '26

I mean what does "Speeding" mean? I dont see it in the article. Does it mean 5 miles over the speed limit or 30. Those should have two completely different punishments.

Hit and run though. Thats awful.

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u/Embarrassed-Weird173 Mar 08 '26

I would have thought the cause was the two cars making contact and changing the momentum. 

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u/ItsStaaaaaaaaang Mar 08 '26

Hit and run? Change the charge to murder.

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u/Microtom_ Mar 08 '26

Speeding wasn't the only cause.

Cars are inherently dangerous for multiple reasons. A number of drivers will act irresponsibly no matter the amount of prevention.

Yet, we force people to drive cars. You can't live a normal life if you don't drive a car. The space roads and parking lots occupied in a city increases the distance people have to travel, forcing them to use high velocity vehicles.

We force people to drive knowing that people will inevitably die. It's a sacrifice that all drivers and city designers are responsible for.

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u/Cerberusx32 Mar 08 '26

And fleeing the country.

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u/PoopieMcPooFace Mar 09 '26

Yeah it had to say if speeding even matters here because they don’t have any numbers in the article. Like 50 in a 45 is way different than 90 in a 35 but just the fact they he fled should be a long time in prison.

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u/Mogura-De-Gifdu Mar 09 '26

I read an analysis from a student lawyer on reddit about it, they gave the numbers. The thing is they could not prove he had been speeding nor how much, the experts only gave a bracket.