Robert Miller was crossing Hatch Street at the intersection of Rauhut Street in Burlington, North Carolina (NC) when he was hit by a white Honda, according to news-record.com. You’d think after a driver hits someone, they’d at least stop and see if the victim was okay. That did not happen in this incident.
The driver of the Honda drove off leaving Mr. Miller to fend for himself in the middle of the road. Fortunately, Mr. Miller was discovered before he suffered further trauma.
However, it is disturbing to contemplate the fact that anything could have happened after the hit and run accident occurred. Another car could have driven by and run over Mr. Miller. If he suffered a serious injury, he could have bled to death. These terrible scenarios were avoided, but it does not discount the awful decision of the at-fault driver to leave the victim lying on the road.
Nearly one in five pedestrians killed on America’s roadways is the victim of a hit and run accident, according to deadlyroads.com. Not only is a hit and run just plain wrong, it is also against the law. In NC, a hit and run accident is a Class I felony.
So if you accidentally hit a pedestrian, do not think driving away is an option. It is both morally wrong and a violation of NC law punishable by large fines, points on your driver’s license, and jail time.
PA