That means that the law system would go after the offender even if the victim doesn’t sue or wants to be merciful. When you’re reckless or most terrible when you try to escape the consequences of your actions in a traffic accident by leaving your victims on distress, then the authorities would impose severe penalties.
It was a great speech; Kim Davis’ classmates understood how important it is to wear protection when you ride bikes. They also made comments about the seat belt and other preventive measures you get now when you drive.
5 dollars
This one is Bd’s account:
It was Sunday, June 28, 2009 and what a beautiful Sunday it was, clear skies all around and the sun roaming the streets announcing that summer was here and it was here for good. After getting out of work I enjoyed my getaway from the heat as I rode my motorcycle down Broadway Avenue in Chula Vista. Every time I had to stop at a light I was instantly reminded of the unforgiving sun looking down on me. I could see those squiggly distortion lines over the hood of the cars besides me, it was summer indeed. There were a few granny-driven cars that I had to pass, they were slowing me down and making me hot. I had never done anything reckless, and I wasn’t going to start now, so I waited for the perfect time to pass in between them. I maintained a steady speed of 45 mph, a little above the speed limit but still keeping in pace with the other travelers of the road. The wind felt amazing, a refreshing bath of cold air, letting me escape from this agonizing sun. As I was approaching the intersection with J Street, I noticed a car in the opposing lane with his turn signal on, he was going to turn left and he was waiting for the oncoming traffic to pass him before making his move. While riding I was checking my own schedule in my head, what am I going to do after I get home, I will go and check on my friend Alan, he just had an accident yesterday and I wanted to see if he was doing fine. Something suddenly didn’t seem right, the car started to move for no reason, there was still oncoming traffic, I was still there, Is he blind?
As the car kept moving I hit the brakes as fast as I could, instantly locking my wheels against the pavement, I just heard my tires drifting through the road and I started to panic. What was that person thinking, and what should I do? I closed my eyes for an instant and contemplated all my alternatives. Should I jump off the bike? No, I’m going too fast. Should I lean to the side and try to dodge the car? No, I’m drifting and have no control of the bike right now. Should I scream? Should I cry? I opened my eyes to scan for any possible solution, I saw myself getting closer to the car and so far it seemed like this was going to end up bad. My life wasn’t flashing before my eyes, but hundreds of thoughts were rushing through my mind, time slowed down and my mind was working on overdrive. My hands were locked on the brakes; I was cursing every physics course I had taken, why did you fail me now friction, why did my tires decide to skid instead of slow down, I was heading on straight to chapter 28: Collisions. I closed my eyes for another second and though of why I was there, why didn’t I take the freeway, why wasn’t I on my way home?
I clocked out from work after my part time shift of handling customers at Sears. I was going to head home but as I was getting close to my bike I noticed that my motorcycle’s chain was a little loose. I had recently learned how to tighten it up; I just needed to buy a big-size socket and some of those latex gloves so my hands didn’t get too dirty with the chain grease. I bought the socket and checked the size, it was perfect. The gloves though were $19.99, I checked online and found out they were 5 dollars cheaper at Wal-Mart than at Sears, I better go to WM then, I’m heading south anyways. I’ll take Broadway instead of the I-5, its pretty close by.
Ah yes, 5 dollars, that’s why I’m here about to collide, 5 freaking dollars. I opened my eyes again hoping that the car wouldn’t be there anymore, hoping that somehow the car was going fast enough to be out of my way by the time I reach that spot. Truth can be disappointing, I saw the back door of the car a couple of feet away and I looked down to see my beloved bike, don’t forget me my dear, we had a good thing this past year. I saw the headlight touch the back door. Time was going so slow that I saw every inch of my bike getting shattered by that ugly door. Suddenly physics took me for a hostage and I was ejected instantly off my seat, I started to scream cursing my best friend Alan, he probably jinxed me. I saw my bike, then the car, then the sky, then the pavement, then the sky once again as I hit the ground. It was over in a couple of seconds, I looked to my right to see the Honda Accord slowing down, hesitating to stop in the curb, after a couple of seconds the car took off as fast as it could. I instantly got up and tried to see if I could get the plates, but it was too late. Before I could rearrange all my thoughts a couple of SUVs passed by me and screamed “we’re going after him man, don’t worry”.
As I walked to my bike I was hoping the bike wasn’t too wrecked, I had just seen it being shattered but still I had hopes that I could ride it back home. Three guys from a car-lot on the corner came to help me pick up my bike; I couldn’t move it and I noticed the front wheel was well inserted into what once was the engine, not good. The man called his assistant at the car-lot and they brought a dolly to help me move the bike to the side, it was lying there in the middle of the road. Poor baby, there goes my entire savings. “You are very lucky young man” said the salesman, you seem perfectly fine. I sat down on the curb thinking how unlucky I was. I didn’t know what to do; my first thought was to take off my jacket since the day was burning hot. An old lady with her niece came to me as soon as they saw me. She gave me a bottle of water and told me to calm down. As I drank the water I noticed my hands were shaking, I was furious. The lady helped me calm down a little and told me I was very lucky to be walking after what happened. I couldn’t stop shaking and my mind was just blinded with rage cursing my bad luck.
It wasn’t long before the ambulance and the police car arrived to the scene and started to take pictures. The ambulance wanted to take me to the hospital but I politely refused, I only had an ugly bruise in my hip and I didn’t feel it was worth the ride. I signed some papers for them while the lady testified to the police officer. The policeman came to me after being in his car for a while, he checked my bruise and told me the tow-truck was coming soon and I should call my insurance company. He said “You are very lucky, the trolley stopped the Accord and he was blocked by two vans. The driver has been arrested and you will have to file a report against him. He is going to jail for hit-and-run.” I am very lucky they said, up to this day I still can’t believe them.
2. OH GOSH, OH GOSH! HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN?
Greg was happy; he had a big smile on his face. He showed the letter from de University of California, he’s been accepted. A week later he had this convertible red car. His father made the deal; he was content and proud of his son studying at the Law school.
Driving his brand new car, Greg was entering the complex of apartments in Imperial Beach where I live. We’d been classmates in High school. So as we met he made a stop to say hello and he showed me his new car.
GREG – Hello Rose! So you live here too.
ROSE- Yes, I do. Do you have family here?
GREG – No, my girl friend lives in these condos. Hillary Brown. Do you know her?
ROSE – Nop. You know, we are more than hundred people here. I don’t get to see all the neighbors.
GREG – She lives at the H building, apartment 3.
ROSE – H building 3. Oh, I know her father, he’s a teacher in S.W. College. Yes, James Brown. But I didn’t know about his daughter. So she’s your girl. Now that you have such a pretty car! If ever you break with her, remember me. (I was kidding but one never knows and what if…)
GREG – Come on! (He opened the passenger door), Get in! Let’s see Hillary, you’re going to like her.
ROSE – Well let’s go n’ see. I like your car, that’s something. And if you guys could take me to the Imperial Beach Plaza, that’s gonna be a great ride.
GREG – I bet you!
Hillary was tall, thin and weak. No wonder why she liked Greg, taller than her of course, blond, blue eyes, strong, good looking brat. Not very clever though, amazingly she was less clever than him. They were in love you must think, it’s a reason to say