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A Florida driver faces charges for killing a 9 year old boy riding a bicycle, then speeding off to escape. Witnesses tried to stop him with the kid’s bicycle still trapped under his vehicle (www.ksl.com)
submitted 1 year ago* by to c/fuckcars@lemmy.world
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[+] 4 points 1 year ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (15 children)
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  • [–] 15 points 1 year ago (11 children)

    presumable you mean, "charged with nothing harsher than manslaughter." What charge do you think is appropriate for an unintentional homicide while doing non-criminal activities?

    Friend, read the article.

    Prosecutors say at least two witnesses "were honking, yelling, and waving" at Hunter to get him to stop. Instead, Hunter allegedly "began to pick up speed and left the scene."

    Dalton was dragged about 50 feet before becoming dislodged from the vehicle.

    Not only is manslaughter inappropriate for a hit-and-run, but him dragging the body without intention to stop suggests he may have killed this boy as he was trying to run away.

    If an upgraded charge can't be done in this case, then we need to make a new charge for future hit-and-run drivers.

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  • [–] 4 points 1 year ago (8 children)

    Having a friend who's life was derailed for years after being dragged under a van for a block, I'm guessing he didn't even notice. Just straight-up oblivious. The driver who right hooked my buddy and dragged him, as far as anyone could tell, was completely unaware of what had happened. And an Ecoline is both smaller than and has better visibility that one of these modern bloater trucks.

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  • [–] 6 points 1 year ago (7 children)

    I'm guessing he didn't even notice. Just straight-up oblivious. The driver who right hooked my buddy and dragged him, as far as anyone could tell, was completely unaware of what had happened.

    As terrible as that must have been, the driver could very well argue ignorance (they should still be in deep shit for it, though).

    But in this case, the driver was being hailed by multiple witnesses who were trying to stop him from leaving the scene, and he fled faster!

    He might claim negligence for the initial hit, but not for the rest of it.

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  • [–] 1 point 1 year ago* (6 children)

    Right but my point is that in that raised climate controlled soundproofed cab he might legitimately not heard shit. Not that it should be an excuse, but an American judge would probably disagree with me on that. Old fart's got his culpable deniability.

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  • [–] 1 point 1 year ago (5 children)

    That's what licencing is for.

    You assume that licence drivers understand the limitations and risks of the vehicle they are in.

    You assume that they would drive slowly and/or with a window down if they can't see/hear well enough to avoid hitting things in a residential area.

    Not this

    "I knew I hit a bicycle, but I didn't think there was a kid on it," Hunter said, according to the charges.

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  • [–] 1 point 1 year ago* (4 children)

    lol no I don't assume any of that and it's kinda weird how often people on lemmy are telling me what I assume

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  • [–] 1 point 1 year ago (3 children)

    Still DEFINITELY not that

    Insane attitude to have, maybe worse to verbalise

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  • [–] 1 point 1 year ago (2 children)

    You lost me mate

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  • [+] 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (1 child)
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  • [–] 1 point 1 year ago

    That's why I said there should be a new, elevated charge available in these cases.

    FWIW, there are circumstances where a charge is automatically elevated, even if not premeditated, so we know that laws can have flexibility.

    For example:

    While planning and deliberation is the key [for a 1st degree murder charge], there are circumstances where it is not necessary for a conviction. For example, a man was charged with first-degree murder in 2011 after a police officer was run over and killed by a stolen snowplow. While there was no proof that there was a plan to use the plow to kill someone, the death occurred while the police officer was performing his duties, thus leading to a first-degree charge. SOURCE

    I'm not saying drivers who do hit-and-runs should get 1st degree murder, but they should get something more than that.

    If this happened in Canada, the driver could get life in prison. But Florida looks at hit-and-run as a third-degree felony, which is equal to something like forgery or theft over $750. 🫤

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  • [–] 2 points 1 year ago (1 child)

    I do think "fleeing a crime scene" and "destroying evidence" would be mentionable. The real problem though is 80 yr olds shouldn't be driving cars or trucks.

    Its so depressing that we force 80 year olds to drive cars instead of giving people alternative transportation.

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