How To Get Away With A Hit-And-Run In Los Angeles
-Be drunk: Experts believe that many hit-and-run drivers are under-the-influence and want to avoid that $10,000 cost (and more, for hitting someone or something) that comes with a DUI conviction. Flee and sober up: It's hard to prove you'd been drinking long after the fact.
Marie Hardwick
-Be undocumented: No, being undocumented doesn't help you escape prosecution. But it may give you a potent reason not to stop -- which seems to be all it takes in this city. Many hit-and-runs are caused by illegal immigrants who flee because they're afraid of being deported and having their vehicles taken because they're driving without licenses. LAPD Chief Charlie Beck acknowledged that hit-and-runs could be reduced significantly if the undocumented could be tracked through drivers licenses and had to go through the minimum drivers' ed required to become licensed.
Of course, we're not actually telling you to hit, then run. We're making a point. This is out of control.
[Added]: -Don't turn yourself in. We forgot to add here that all the above effort would be worthless if you felt a modicum of guilt and went to police later which, surprisingly, some of you actually do.
[@dennisjromero / djromero@laweekly.com / @LAWeeklyNews]
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