Way back on August 29, 2020, 21 year old Jillian Parker from Holland, Michigan, was out riding her bike on a gorgeous Saturday afternoon. She was run down from behind by 40 yr old Melissa Hubley who was driving a 2017 Buick Encore.
The reason? “SMIDSY”
“SMIDSY” is a simple Australian explanation for why cars hit pedestrians & bicycle & motorcycle operators…
SMIDSY = “Sorry Mate – I Didn’t See You”
For Ms. Hubley, she told Police she was driving along on a sunny Saturday and she killed a young woman because “the sun was in her eyes…”
-> SMIDSY <-
Finally- yesterday – on 2/9/2021 – almost 6 months after the crash- Ms. Hubley was charged with Vehicular Manslaughter- a 2nd degree misdemeanor under Ohio law… the lowest level of “Oops, I killed a person with my car” crime we have.
Next event is arraignment on 3/3/21We’ll keep an eye on this case.
We have requested the FULL report – all crash data, photos, etc – but have been stymied by Trotwood police.
I guess I need to keep emphasizing this point: –> THE SUN IS NOT AN EXCUSE –> Sun Glare is NOT A DEFENSE… Driving Forward when you CAN’T SEE is illegal… it’s not a defense, it’s an ADMISSION OF GUILT –
You should NOT BE SURPRISED BY THE SUN IN YOUR EYES AS YOU DRIVE WEST CLOSE TO SUNSET –
Typical response of a driver goes something like this:
” Yes officer I drove forward when I couldn’t see… despite having my eyes blindfolded I moved a two ton vehicle forward… Sure I ran over and killed bright young college student… I negligently destroyed her family … I stupidly, carelessly changed the lives of her grieving friends… but I couldn’t see… what else was I supposed to do???… I mean I’m sorry I killed her…but I couldn’t see… ”
DON’T DRIVE FORWARD IF YOU “CAN’T SEE” – Stop the Car – Wait – Pull Over –
© 2024.
I always had The Fear down here when my shadow was directly in front of me at dusk or dawn. Too many people are like the motorist in Unit 1: its not their problem if they can’t see the road in front of them. Its everyone else’s problem to dive for cover.
As the old saying goes, its not too comforting to be “dead right”.
Due care ought to mean something. Throw the book at her.