I feel violated - hit and run accident

Last Monday, after a weekend of taking my F430 to Supercar Saturdays and then LFSC Concourse, I was involved in a minor car accident. Some kid (less than 20 in my estimation) decided to mess with me while driving down the road. Driving a POS Dodge Neon, this guy gets right on my tail. Plenty of room for him to pass me, and I'm not driving aggressively or anything. I flash my brake lights first to say "back off". He gets closer instead. So I give him a minor brake-check. Still not fazed, he hangs on my bumper. So I start coasting and downshifting... All the way to 20mph. Still he won't pass. By now the cluster of cars that was in front of me is pretty far ahead, so I decide to catch up to them and hopefully put a car or two between us. I catch them quickly, but there is no room to go anywhere. The Neon is far back now, but still accelerating (I'm back down to 45mph in traffic, which is the limit). A few more seconds pass and I can see the Neon is still accelerating... And gaining on me quickly. I wonder if he will be able to stop... So I flash the brakes again (not really braking this time), but the kid brakes way too late and unable to stop, rams me from behind.

This is happening on a major road with a fair amount of traffic, and we are approaching a stoplight to a side-road, so I signal him to pull over on that road. He nods and points to acknowledge. I turn right and pull over, but the kid goes straight and takes off. I turn around and get back onto the main road, but now the are about 4 rows of cars between us and I can't see his plate. I call the police and start telling them what happened, and were I am. They want me to come to the station to file a report, to which I tell them they had better find me before I catch him or there will be more than a traffic accident to do paperwork on... That gets them moving.

Somehow, the kid turned onto a side road and I missed it. A couple blocks later a pickup truck next to me honks and tells me where the kid turned. I got the plate of the pickup and gave to the police. But the kid got away.

I feel sick over the whole incident. The car will be repaired, insurance is not giving me a hard time or anything, and Custom Cars (where the car is) seems to have a good reputation (I searched other posts on this board to verify). But I can't get over the lack of accountability and values in this kid. It makes me wonder if it is just this kid, or if that is the behavior in society today? I also keep asking what I should have done differently. Pulling off the road was one mistake. I thought it would be safer, and would be kind to other motorists to get off the busy street... But I think next time I stop right where I am, regardless of location (even highway!)

This was in Kendall county, and they appear to have no traffic cameras in the entire county. I've visited a dozen businesses up and down the road to see if any have security cameras that may have caught him so I can get a plate, or better description of the driver or passenger, or the car. It is amazing how many places have no security cameras, including a few gas stations!! Those that have cameras keep them aimed so that the main road is out of the picture.

Anyone have any ideas on how to find this kid?

Any pointers for managing the repair process and insurance?

Thanks
Mike

 

The kids car was a dark color, I think dark green. My car is red so I'm sure there was some red paint left on his bumper or hood. But since this was 9 days ago now it is likely the red paint is gone, and possible the car has been repaired.

I should have my car back next week. State Farm has been really good with this so far, no hassle on the repair cost or scope of work at all.

The investigating officer called today to ask some questions, and he mentioned he had a suspect. Was too premature for him to tell me more, but I'm hopeful.

Geno - I watched that movie the day after and that's EXACTLY what was going through my mind! Put a smile on my face, even if it is just fantasy.

Thanks for all the support everyone! Im definitely feeling better about things as time passes... Although if he is caught I will attend every court date to make sure he does not get off easy.

 

It happened on Ogden Ave. between Route 30 and Douglas in Oswego. Thanks for the support.

 

Thanks AG, both for the idea and for following-up on it!

 

Damage is front and center on the Neon. Thanks for keeping your eyes and ears open for me, it's appreciated.