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I was involved in a traffic accident on Friday, Oct. 24, at about 7:50 a.m. A dark blue SUV attempted to cross five lanes of traffic on Navarro Street from the Stripes Convenience Store parking lot to turn right on Red River Street. The driver did well up until I happened to be in the outside southbound lane on Navarro when he hit the front end of my white Mustang. He then proceeded to turn south on Navarro sideswiping me and busting my mirror as well as scratching and leaving his paint on the side on my car; he drove two blocks, turned right on Trinity and sped off. I prayed that he was going to come back around and check on me, but he did not. I have yet to see him.
My light was green so I wasn't able to slow down enough to prevent hitting the curb on the Warehouse Distributing business side hard enough to blow out my two passenger tires. I suppose I should be thankful that I did not hit the metal light pole or box that I came very close to or the wooden light pole across the parking lot entrance there I eventually stopped.
While I watched the SUV take off with the passenger's head sticking out of his window while they turned, I also noticed vehicles behind me stopping or slowing down and then going around me when they could. Although I realize that this is a bad time to have an accident, (when is there a good time?) when everyone is trying to get to work, including myself, I was amazed at the number of people who stopped to assist me or just to see if I was OK - absolutely zero. Neither did anyone follow the SUV.
Getting my bearings, I was finally able to drive off the road into the business' parking lot where an employee, Ray, came out to see if I was OK and to let me use his phone to call the police. The officer responded in record time, evaluated and took pictures and then went to talk to witnesses. I walked across the street to Navarro Tire Service where employees, Artie and Richard, were able to assist in getting me back on the road. Richard even walked over and changed the tires for me while Ray was jacking my car up. These gentlemen went above and beyond their call of duty to help me out, and I am grateful.
After the officer updated me on the information he got and assured me he would do everything he could to find this driver and vehicle, I was late for work by one hour with only a sore knee and spirit.
Who knows if this driver will be found or come forward? Something he may not know, though, is it was considered a minor traffic accident. These days, a hit-and-run traffic accident is considered a felony crime. And someone else besides you and your friends who were with you, know who you are. May you sleep well at night. I can't really blame you; I was scared myself. But running was wrong. I am asking anyone who saw the accident to come forward and call the Victoria Police Department with any information.
As we come upon this busy time of the season, I hope we can all keep our wits about us and be compassionate for the not so fortunate person who did not get missed. His or her outcome may not be as lucky as mine.
Tiffinie Newman is a resident of Victoria.