Hit and Run

Since returning to Oregon two weeks ago to finish working, Jared’s been studying for his DOT certification exam that he needs for his occupational medicine job in Texas. It’s been pretty brutal--boringly so. On Saturday, July 19th, his friend Hal Gordon, who is a fishing guru told Jared that his fishing club was going to be at Laurance Lake on the east side of Mt. Hood.  Hal couldn’t make the trip but told Jared he was more than welcome to join them if he wanted to. Jared was grateful for a break, especially if it involved fishing in his float tube! The lake isn't exactly close and it took about 90 minutes to drive there.  Jared was able to spend three hours on the lake. As he headed back to the make-shift parking area by the boat ramp with his gear, he noticed the area had exploded with people. It was packed. He had driven the Civic, but even in that small, zippy car, he was finding it difficult to back out of his spot with all the vehicles crammed willy-nilly in the parking area.  It was about an 80 point turn but he finally made it. And off he went.

Approximately 13 miles from the lake he noticed a Sheriff’s car had moved into the lane behind him. Jared double-checked his speed and he wasn't over so that was good! But then the police car lights came on. Oh boy. Jared couldn’t imagine what he had done, but dutifully pulled over anyway.

As is customary, the Sheriff asked Jared for his driver’s license, registration and proof of insurance. Well….it just so happens that we already switched our insurance coverage from Oregon to Texas since, technically, that’s where we reside now and Jared is just finishing up work. Jared explained this to the officer hoping it wouldn’t complicate matters. The Sheriff said it wasn’t a problem since the coverage was current. But what he said next, floored Jared.

“The reason I pulled you over is because you’ve been reported in a hit and run.”

WHAT??? Those are words you never want to hear from an officer of the law.

Jared was flabbergasted. “Excuse me?”

“There are reports that you hit a vehicle up at the lake and then took off."

Jared explained it was definitely tight but obviously didn't know he'd hit anyone. He wondered if it was a red truck because that was the last vehicle he saw when he was doing his mega back-out job. Jared admitted it might be possible he nudged another car because of how crowded it was and apologized. 

The Sheriff told Jared to jump out and they’d both inspect his car together. They looked all over the back end of the Civic and there was no damage visible. Not one little ding or dent--(better not be…we just had that fender replaced after Jared was rear-ended two months ago). Jared was very cooperative and told the officer, “Hey, if they’re reporting damage, let’s go back. I feel badly about this." The Sheriff said he wanted some more details before turning around. So he went back to his cruiser and made a call. Dispatch indicated that the reports coming in were saying there was indeed damage to the other vehicle. And then there was something about Jared not paying his day-use fee either. 

You’ve got to be kidding! Poor Jared. He told me that when he first arrived at the lake, he wasn’t quite sure where to go and had spoken WITH the camp host personally to get directions and the man never asked for a fee or indicated where to pay one.

So they drove all the way back to the lake. They located the vehicle Jared hit and then ran from. It was indeed the huge, red pick-up truck Jared wondered about with a big hitch on the back end of it. If Jared had hit the rear of the truck, backing up, he would have rammed that hitch right into the trunk of our car since the truck sits so much higher than the Civic.

The owner of the truck actually seemed surprised that they were there.  He said there was nothing wrong and an inspection from all three parties confirmed that. No damage. Apparently someone else camping there had seen Jared back up, “hit” the truck and then drive off (less than 5 miles per hour, mind you) out of the area and took his license plate number down.  Once the Sheriff determined there was no issue with the alleged “hit and run,” he said his job was done and left.

But Jared still had the “unpaid bill” he had to deal with.

He went back to the camp host and showed his annual wilderness fishing pass. It wasn’t displayed when he arrived, so he thought that was the problem. Well, that pass doesn’t cover this particular camp fee. So Jared asked how much he owed. The host said, “Five dollars.” Jared apologized and said he didn’t have any cash on him. The host replied, “No problem, we take checks, too.” Unfortunately, that was a problem, because his checkbook is in Texas with his wife. (I’m sure the camp host was thinking Jared was trying to evade paying his day use fee—it was reminiscent of some excuses I got when I was trying to collect money from patients at our office.) But Jared really was telling the truth.

Jared said, “Okay, I really want to pay this, but I don’t have any money on me. I think there was an ATM at a store down the road. I can go there and get some cash and come back.”

The camp host smiled. He said, “Don’t worry about it. You came all the way back with the Sheriff to clear up the situation with the other car. I give one freebie a day and you got it.”

Phew! That was one very happy, ticket-and-claim free ending!