Man Hit By Car Issued Jaywalking Ticket

[matcom]

<snip>

WASHINGTON -- A former secretary of the U.S. Commission on Fine Arts has gotten a $5 ticket for jaywalking even though, at the time, he was lying critically injured in the street after being hit by a car.

Police told The Washington Post that Charles Atherton, 73, was conscious when he was issued the ticket before being taken to the hospital Thursday night.

But witnesses report that Atherton was unresponsive and struggling to breathe.

They said he had been knocked out of his shoes and was bloody from hitting his head on the vehicle's windshield.

Police said Atherton received the ticket because he caused the accident by crossing busy Connecticut Avenue in the middle of the block.

Atherton's daughter said the story is puzzling since her father "always felt strongly about crossing at intersections," especially since a friend was killed crossing the same street.

http://www.wftv.com/news/5457750/detail.html

[matcom]

1. kick

:kick:

[MountainLaurel]

2. Update: He's dead

Renowned urban designer Charles Atherton died last weekend of injuries he suffered after being struck by a car Thursday in Northwest Washington, authorities said yesterday.

As secretary of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, Atherton oversaw the design of major monuments and federal buildings. For 39 years until his retirement last year, he played that pivotal role on the presidentially appointed panel, which reviews and advises the federal government on issues related to architecture and design in the nation's capital.

"It's hard to imagine the planning of Washington without him being on the scene," said Thomas Luebke, the current secretary of the commission. "His leaving is going to be difficult for lots of people. . . . He single-handedly has been involved more than anybody in the public process that has created the city we know today."

Atherton, 73, died about 8:45 p.m. Saturday at George Washington University Hospital, where he was taken after the accident.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/05/AR2005120501990.html

[kick-ass-bob]

3. jeez. I wonder if they are going to go after his estate for the $5.

:sarcasm:

[MountainLaurel]

5. This is the DC police department

I wouldn't put it past them.

[RagingInMiami]

4. He probably died after learning he got the ticket

After all, if this is what the world has come to, what's the point?

[JVS]

6. Well, was he jaywalking?

[MissMillie]

7. When a driver is at fault in an accident

and has been injured, the police still cite them. (I know this first-hand.)

Why should it be different for a pedestrian?

Citing the pedestrian for an infraction may be what is necessary to clear the driver from wrong-doing or insurance surcharges.

[kick-ass-bob]

8. "witnesses report that Atherton was unresponsive and struggling to breathe

maybe that's a good reason to wait.

[DainBramaged]

9. What did the prick cop do, stuff it in his pocket?

And who hit him????????


THAT is what's important.