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

 

Sorry to hear about that I was in a hit and run a few months ago where the guy ran a red light, hit my car, and sped off. I got his plate #, pulled over and called the police, who told me to file a report. I went to the station the next day and they lied to me, saying that the car in question was impounded so I must've gotten the plate wrong, even though I was 120% sure I got the right plate. They were just too lazy to pursue it any further. So... I can definitely relate but I can't really offer any advice. I hope others can help and you can get this resolved. There are definitely a lot of people out there who have been raised to not hold themselves responsible for what they do.

 

That sucks. If I was in your shoes, I would place an ad on Craigslist (or other local social website/newspaper, etc) looking for an eyewitness. I would also run searches on a brief description of the incident - an eyewitness might be trying to reach out to you, or this kid might even be stupid enough to post about it on FB, a car site, etc.

 

I would probably stop, go down and confront the kid even if it delays traffic. You know that this will lead to an accident and he needs to stop tailing you. He may have misinterpreted the "brake check" you gave him.

 

Sorry to hear of the incident.

To be fair, the "brake check" probably didn't help defuse the situation.

In situations like this I either pull over or make turn to get rid of the tail gaiter.

Hope your car will be returned just as new.


Kai

 

Just goes to show there's no shortage of jackasses out there Sorry to hear about the ordeal, I would just cut your losses and move on though. Kid isn't worth any further of your time.

 

wow thats rediculous! im a 17 year old driver and i would never do that! especially a ferrari damn!!! i wouldnt even be able to catch u in my little civic. i would give u a thumbs up or try and take a picture of your car lol. seems like that kid wanted to seem like a real idiot. they better catch him!

 

I feel for you.. but at least the car is in good hands now. Custom Cars does fantastic work. What color was the other driver's car? I'll keep an eye out for a dodge neon with front end damage.

 

I would hire a private investigator. Once I learn who the guy is, get a few pipe hitting brothers to go get medieval on em...than on his Neon...

 

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.

 

Can you tell me where in Kendall county this happened? I live in the county and can keep an eye out for the car??
Nd

 

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

 

That's frustrating--I do agree with Kai in that brake-testing a road antagonist is more likely to encourage him than anything. I'll bet somewhere on Facebook there's some yahoo bragging about how he "pwned" some dude in a Ferrari, but ultimately I'd let it go. You'll make yourself crazy and throw good money/time after bad hunting down some delinquent whose destined to live life falling in and out of trouble on his own. Life will take care of him.

 

Sorry to hear.That sucks. Especially the reality that the police would not be of much help as incidents like these are far down their list of priorities. On the other end, the brotherhood is superb and through it you might find out who he is. Chances are that he is not insured and cannot make restitution. But a good scare and lesson in responsabity is necessary.

 

Check any Neon forums from your area.

EDIT: No luck for me, I even joined one just so I could search

Good luck!! Karma is a *****!

 

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

 

Im in that area often, ill keep my eyes open. What side of the neon is damaged? front right? Left? center bumper?
I have some friends who work in body shops Ill see if anything has been around.
Nd

 

http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/news/8019913-418/oswego-police-looking-for-help-on-route-34-crash.html

 

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