Charles Pittel: If you hit someone, don’t just try to get away

Re “Bicyclists battle hit-and-run surge across L.A. County” (Page A3, Nov. 29): There are extreme ramifications when someone calls police after hitting a bicyclist as opposed to not calling. Hit and run is a felony; calling it in is not.

In 2004 I was hit by a car while riding my mountain bike, severely injuring and almost killing me. A speeding motorist swerved off the road and hit me, sending me into his windshield. He called, and police gave him a $168 fine for an unsafe passing attempt.

In a civil suit the driver admitted he hit me on purpose because he has post traumatic stress, for which he receives $3,900 a month from the government. Money that cannot be collected on by a plaintiff.

The California Attorney General’s office has said there is nothing they can do because of the legal double-jeopardy rule; someone cannot be tried twice for the same crime.

Don’t be a hit-and-run driver. Call it in. With our legal system, the odds are with the driver, not the bicyclist.

This story was originally published December 1, 2014 at 1:56 PM with the headline "Charles Pittel: If you hit someone, don’t just try to get away."