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Forget about being a good samaritan

SPJ

SPJ

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http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090226/ap_on_fe_st/odd_good_samaritan_ticketed

Injured good Samaritan ticketed for jaywalking

Thu Feb 26, 7:34 am ET

DENVER – A good Samaritan who helped push three people out of the path of a pickup truck before being struck and injured has gotten a strange reward for his good deed: A jaywalking ticket.

Family members said 58-year-old bus driver Jim Moffett and another man were helping two elderly women cross a busy Denver street in a snowstorm when he was hit Friday night.

Moffett suffered bleeding in the brain, broken bones, a dislocated shoulder and a possible ruptured spleen. He was in serious but stable condition Wednesday.

The Colorado State Patrol issued the citation. Trooper Ryan Sullivan said that despite Moffett's intentions, jaywalking contributed to the accident.

Moffett had been driving his bus when the two women got off. In the interest of safety, he got out and, together with another passenger, helped the ladies cross.

Moffett's stepson, Ken McDonald, said the driver of the pickup plowed into his stepfather, but not before Moffett pushed the two women out of the way.

When he awoke in intensive care, he learned of the ticket. "His reaction was dazed and confused. I was a little angry," said McDonald.

The other man also was cited for jaywalking, while the pickup driver was cited with careless driving that led to injury. Sullivan said the two elderly women haven't been cited but the investigation is ongoing.
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Saw that....I'd fight that ticket tooth and nail! We have allowed our government (both federal and local) to replace kindness and humanity with legislation. We then stay silent when our elected officials ignore the spirit of the law in favor of the letter of it. My question? There's always a loophole for some dope pusher, kid toucher, or illegal alien...where's this guy's loophole!?!?!
 
captnemo said:
Saw that....I'd fight that ticket tooth and nail! We have allowed our government (both federal and local) to replace kindness and humanity with legislation. We then stay silent when our elected officials ignore the spirit of the law in favor of the letter of it. My question? There's always a loophole for some dope pusher, kid toucher, or illegal alien...where's this guy's loophole!?!?!
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He could have been kind and human at a corner. With a crosswalk.
 
Seamus Haley said:
He could have been kind and human at a corner. With a crosswalk.
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Bingo. This isn't a case of a "good samaritan" running out into traffic and pushing the little old ladies out of the path of a moving car and then getting punished for his good deed.

He led them into traffic- his negligence is what put them in harm's way to begin with, and that is what he was cited for.
 
While this is true, that's why I mentioned a loophole. Are you telling me you guys always use a crosswalk? I'm picturing a snowy day with 2 old ladies that he was trying to get home as quickly as possible...the ticket didn't have to be written.
 
captnemo said:
While this is true, that's why I mentioned a loophole. Are you telling me you guys always use a crosswalk?
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When one is present. I wait for signals as well on any street that has them. Using corners and caution when crosswalks aren't painted.

Mostly because I'd rather not get hit by a truck.

Or cited for jaywalking.

Or put drivers in danger as they swerve to avoid me.
 
Yeah, I can go with that. I just thought the ticket was unnecessary and added insult to injury...I think the truck was enough of a jaywalking deterrent for him in the future.
 
I understand how much it must suck to have a citation after being hit by a truck for just helping little old ladies...

However, I'm a fan of not making exceptions, because then everyone thinks that their case is exceptional when it's in fact not. If the police make an exception for this one guy, who's to say that the next jay walker that gets hit doesn't try to say they were helping someone across the street? What brings up another question, is why didn't he see the truck coming? I was taught to look both ways before crossing the street, and that's even at a crosswalk. If the truck came after the street appeared clear, then you should be aware of that. To me, that's like opening up a retic's enclosure, seeing the snake in one corner, then turning your back to it thinking "Well, it's over there right now, so I shouldn't have to worry about it,"
 
They could have been required to ticket the guy because of having to give the truck driver a ticket as well.

True, he could have been helpful at a corner where you're supposed to cross, but you're also supposed to drive in a manner that takes into account other people's stupidity (or misfortune). If he hadn't given the dude a ticket for jaywalking, when the reckless driving ticket went to court, conviction could have problems if all that were a part of the accident didn't get their fair piece of the pie, not to mention auto insurance for the medical bills.
 
I guess I can understand both points of view, but I still feel that sometimes it's not necessary to add insult to injury. This guy would have thought twice next time with or without the ticket.

As for ticketing the driver....also unnecessary, but I didn't hear whether or not he was ticketed, and/or the circumstances. Perhaps if he was speeding or being reckless, I could understand it. These days though, it seems if there's an "accident", the local government needs to profit, meaning a ticket needs to be written.

Perhaps, also, I should have prefaced by stating that I am from NJ. This is a state where I could be parked legally...in a parking spot...time on the meter, and if I get hit by another motorist, I am partially at fault for being there!!!! Ah, the beauty of "no fault" legislation...a bit jaded I guess.
 
The other man also was cited for jaywalking, while the pickup driver was cited with careless driving that led to injury.
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Everybody got an equal part of the pie, except the old ladies.
 
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