Child hit by motorist in Harvest (Huntsville, Fayette: crimes, home, law)

[NoleFanHSV]

Harry,

I agree with your assessment.

The other thing to note is the curve in Vanguard Street as it comes toward the intersection. That slight bend means that the bus would obscure any kid crossing right there even more. The schools and bus drivers should learn from this situation and look at all bus stops and routes and see if there are any other potential issues that are similar to this one.

[JakeWilliams]

Spot on Harry, I totally agree with your points there.

[LCTMadison]

Originally Posted by harry chickpea

What you are attempting to show is a pattern of behavior, via hearsay. That would not be allowed in court or would be challenged by a smart attorney and disallowed.

I also saw the video where she was reacting. I think what you are reaching for is an apparent lack of remorse during a confrontation. Flip and separate for a moment. You are driving down a street and a child runs out in front of you and is injured. The neighbors immediately come out and begin yelling at you. You might as well have accidentally walked over a ground bee nest. Your reaction is going to immediately become one of defensiveness. I was initially angered by her reaction, but upon reflection recognized it as a pretty standard immediate reaction to a traumatic event with bystanders heckling.

I also disagree with the idea that there was plenty of visual contact space if the bus was at the stop sign, and the concept is well known and in the driver's manual as you have just shown.

"this girl is known for..."

Unless you have personal knowledge of her actions, that is slander and gossip mongering. The greater issue is that every event has to be treated on an individual basis, and you are tainting your own powers of judgment because of social denigration. Say instead that she had a spotless driving record, never had a ticket or incident driving, and then hit the kid. Would that make the kid's leg any less broken?

You are implying causal relationship and then shortcutting evaluation of other factors in a rush to judgment.

Exactly.

[FayettevilletoHuntsville]

Originally Posted by harry chickpea

I also saw the video where she was reacting. I think what you are reaching for is an apparent lack of remorse during a confrontation. Flip and separate for a moment. You are driving down a street and a child runs out in front of you and is injured. The neighbors immediately come out and begin yelling at you. You might as well have accidentally walked over a ground bee nest. Your reaction is going to immediately become one of defensiveness. I was initially angered by her reaction, but upon reflection recognized it as a pretty standard immediate reaction to a traumatic event with bystanders heckling.

Could you please post the video of this incident? I can't find it.

[weaverra]

Originally Posted by LCTMadison

Exactly.

living adjacent to the neighborhood and keeping up with what goes on these are comments based off of people who actually live in the neighborhood and deal with this particular driver all the time.

[Becky2517]

I'm still thinking how AL law is written it leaves a lot to 'interpretation'? If it's a 4 lane, you don't have to stop, but if it's a 2 lane you do? Is that all directions? Or cross direction? Or both? Doesn't it work like any intersection with 4 way stop signs, you stop & wait for the vehicle that was there first to go? Color me confused...I think I'll stick to my "always stop for school buses" to be on the safe side!

[weaverra]

Originally Posted by Becky2517

I'm still thinking how AL law is written it leaves a lot to 'interpretation'? If it's a 4 lane, you don't have to stop, but if it's a 2 lane you do? Is that all directions? Or cross direction? Or both? Doesn't it work like any intersection with 4 way stop signs, you stop & wait for the vehicle that was there first to go? Color me confused...I think I'll stick to my "always stop for school buses" to be on the safe side!

No, the law is not clear at all and it should be. A judge may disagree with the officers initial assertion that she was not breaking any laws concerning a stopped school bus at an intersection. I think the law needs to be changed or reworded to be more clear.

Just because the speed limit is 70 mph on 565 doesn't mean you can go 70 when it's iced over. You still have to exercise good judgment and care. They can ticket you for going over a reasonable safe speed due to current conditions. Also even though you may have the right of way to a pedestrian you still have to exercise care in trying to avoid the collision. That's the law per Section 32-5A-213. It doesn't give you the right to run the person over just because you have the legal right of way. That's where I think this situation is going. It is still under investigation and probably waiting on the parents next move.ALA CODE § 32-5A-213
ALA CODE § 32-5A-213


By the way she was acting on the video does that give you a good feeling about how her side of the story is portrayed on the accident report? It's like when an officer ask you how fast you were going when the incident occurred. "Umm I believe 20mph" when you were really going 30mph.

[weaverra]

FYI one the witnesses interviewed happens to be a Tru-green quality control manager. This is what he said "...the uh white SUV was coming across the intersection...didn't slow down...was speeding at a pretty good rate....and sto-uh hit the kid...the kid bounced off the side quarter panel pretty hard."

No charges for driver that hit child at bus stop - WAFF-TV: News, Weather and Sports for Huntsville, AL

[LCTMadison]

Originally Posted by weaverra

living adjacent to the neighborhood and keeping up with what goes on these are comments based off of people who actually live in the neighborhood and deal with this particular driver all the time.

I know 11 different families that live in that neighborhood, one of my closest friends knows her personally as she lives a couple of houses down.

So, I will take someone's first hand information about a person over someone on the internet who just seems to argue with everyone for the sake of arguing and seems to get off on bashing others, even when they know nothing about them.

[weaverra]

Originally Posted by LCTMadison

I know 11 different families that live in that neighborhood, one of my closest friends knows her personally as she lives a couple of houses down.

So, I will take someone's first hand information about a person over someone on the internet who just seems to argue with everyone for the sake of arguing and seems to get off on bashing others, even when they know nothing about them.

I guarantee you if it were your child you would be singing a different tune right now. From reading the comments on their official FB page there are several people who have dealt with this driver. Ignore the problem all you want to, but it doesn't make it magically go away. That guy that was riding with her seemed to be happy he was on camera smiling and flashing double peace signs. It's all about attitude.