Don't Chase a Drunk Driver
03-31-2012, 04:42 PM
#1
Don't Chase a Drunk Driver
So I was on my way home from work yesterday on the Interstate, glad the week was over, and ready to relax. I see this car come up behind me real fast, and I'm thinking "this guy is dangerous, watch out," then in my rearview I see the car, a green Camaro, sideswipe another car so hard I heard tires squeal.
So I get ready to pull over to give a witness statement. Then the Camaro takes off and runs. So I think, oh no you don't, and chase after it to get the plate number. I get a good look at the plate and memorize it, then back off a little.
Then the Camaro goes into the right lane and rear-ends a gray BMW and tries to take off again, but there's too much traffic. The BMW starts chasing the Camaro, I guess to get the plate number like I did.
At this point the Camaro is weaving in and out of traffic and it's getting scary, so I move into the left lane to get some distance. The BMW is in front of me at that point so I figure I'll follow him since I saw him get hit and can provide a witness statement.
Suddenly the Camaro loses control and spins from the right lane to the left across the highway, careening right for me. Luckily it only manages to clip my rear bumper before hitting the dividing wall.
The woman who was driving the Camaro was so drunk, the first thing she did after getting out of the car was to pull down her pants, sit on the dividing wall, and pee, then fall and struggle to get back up. Yeah, pretty damn drunk.
Luckily no one was really hurt, even the driver and passenger of the Camaro were walking around with no apparent injuries.
Lesson learned: don't chase after a drunk driver. You can go from a witness to being a victim. But I'm fine and the damage to my car isn't bad, so I was lucky.
So I get ready to pull over to give a witness statement. Then the Camaro takes off and runs. So I think, oh no you don't, and chase after it to get the plate number. I get a good look at the plate and memorize it, then back off a little.
Then the Camaro goes into the right lane and rear-ends a gray BMW and tries to take off again, but there's too much traffic. The BMW starts chasing the Camaro, I guess to get the plate number like I did.
At this point the Camaro is weaving in and out of traffic and it's getting scary, so I move into the left lane to get some distance. The BMW is in front of me at that point so I figure I'll follow him since I saw him get hit and can provide a witness statement.
Suddenly the Camaro loses control and spins from the right lane to the left across the highway, careening right for me. Luckily it only manages to clip my rear bumper before hitting the dividing wall.
The woman who was driving the Camaro was so drunk, the first thing she did after getting out of the car was to pull down her pants, sit on the dividing wall, and pee, then fall and struggle to get back up. Yeah, pretty damn drunk.
Luckily no one was really hurt, even the driver and passenger of the Camaro were walking around with no apparent injuries.
Lesson learned: don't chase after a drunk driver. You can go from a witness to being a victim. But I'm fine and the damage to my car isn't bad, so I was lucky.
Last edited by Marklar; 03-31-2012 at 04:44 PM.
04-01-2012, 01:18 PM
#8
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Your conclusion doesn't really match the causes.
The proper conclusion would be "don't be in the path of a crashing car driven by a drunk driver".
The "chasing" part enabled you to be there, but then, someone else could have easily been in that same spot in the lane as well. Perhaps in a car that couldn't react as good as you did, and the damage would be much worse, perhaps an injury. Same or worse result without having anything to do with any chasing.
You are correct though, chasing a drunk driver is rarely worth the risks, but the chasing and the involvement are separate things.
I've called in probably over 100 drunk drivers in my driving life. Going in at midnight to work the night shift for a year and a half is where most of those came from. Pretty much at least one a week, if not more.
Probably my most memorable drunk call-in though was on I-80 in Illinois or Iowa, don't remember which state I was in at the time (coming home from Sevenstock), and while maintain ~10-15 over as I usually do, I was able to keep in sight of a car that was hitting both 20mph and 130mph. Lights off and it was like 10pm. Quite erratic, etc... Sat on the phone with the dispatcher for some time, and when I was able to see the license plate, and provided it, they said it came back to a different vehicle, and you could sense in her voice that it was suddenly much more interesting for them.
Took maybe 15 minutes before a state trooper showed up on the opposing side and was able to pick the drunk out easily. Before I had gotten out of sight a mile-sh later, 3 more had shown up.
The proper conclusion would be "don't be in the path of a crashing car driven by a drunk driver".
The "chasing" part enabled you to be there, but then, someone else could have easily been in that same spot in the lane as well. Perhaps in a car that couldn't react as good as you did, and the damage would be much worse, perhaps an injury. Same or worse result without having anything to do with any chasing.
You are correct though, chasing a drunk driver is rarely worth the risks, but the chasing and the involvement are separate things.
I've called in probably over 100 drunk drivers in my driving life. Going in at midnight to work the night shift for a year and a half is where most of those came from. Pretty much at least one a week, if not more.
Probably my most memorable drunk call-in though was on I-80 in Illinois or Iowa, don't remember which state I was in at the time (coming home from Sevenstock), and while maintain ~10-15 over as I usually do, I was able to keep in sight of a car that was hitting both 20mph and 130mph. Lights off and it was like 10pm. Quite erratic, etc... Sat on the phone with the dispatcher for some time, and when I was able to see the license plate, and provided it, they said it came back to a different vehicle, and you could sense in her voice that it was suddenly much more interesting for them.
Took maybe 15 minutes before a state trooper showed up on the opposing side and was able to pick the drunk out easily. Before I had gotten out of sight a mile-sh later, 3 more had shown up.
04-01-2012, 01:38 PM
#9
Sucks about the car but you're lucky you're okay. I know someone that was hit by a drunk driver and was on the verge of paralysis. Had to have operation after operation and still doesn't walk or feel right. Hopefully she doesn't get her license back anytime soon.
04-02-2012, 10:24 AM
#11
Glad you're OK and your damage isn't too bad. I did the same thing once after a guy took off after hitting somebody else. I got his plate number and gave it to the accident victim. I have no idea what happened afterward. And hopefully your insurance agent doesn't read the forum, because they might say that although you were hit by a drunk driver, you are partially to blame for "chasing after it" instead of falling back.
04-02-2012, 10:33 AM
#12
4 DOORS FOR MORE WHORES
Ohhh man that is just too crazy! Good thing that nothing worse happened and no one was injured.
I personally wouldn't chase the drunk driver for that long period of time, as long as i get the plate number then that is my queue to be out!
I personally wouldn't chase the drunk driver for that long period of time, as long as i get the plate number then that is my queue to be out!
04-02-2012, 10:54 AM
#13
SHKWAV
(imho) you did the right thing. Yep you got hit... yep, it could have been worse. But doing the right thing doesn't always mean it's the best / safest thing.
Bravo for doing the right thing.
Bravo for doing the right thing.
04-02-2012, 01:32 PM
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04-02-2012, 01:39 PM
#18
SHKWAV
04-02-2012, 04:03 PM
#20
4 DOORS FOR MORE WHORES
Last edited by SubliminalPollution; 04-02-2012 at 04:08 PM.
04-02-2012, 04:48 PM
#21
Im 8 drifting on a budget
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