Atlantic City, N.J.
State Police declined to charge the 20-year-old driver of a pickup truck for leaving the scene of a crash that critically injured Gov. Jon Corzine because the man said he was trying to make room for the governor's motorcade.However, authorities said Saturday they were leaving open the possibility the driver could face other charges, saying the investigation is not complete. Investigators still want to interview Corzine, who remained on a ventilator, unable to speak.
Surgery on the governor's injured leg was successful Saturday, and another operation was planned for Monday.
The pickup truck driver, who is blamed for Thursday night's wreck, told investigators he did not stop because he did not realize he was involved. The man's name was not released by state police because he was not charged.
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I can believe the high rate of speed because I've seen examples of it myself. Not with Corzine, but with then NY governor Cuomo's motorcade on the New York Thruway. In addition, this motorcade was said to be traveling with emergency lights flashing.
If the motorcade's speed was really that high, then the driver of the red truck should not be held liable for anything. It is quite arguable that the motorcade caused its own accident, creating a hazard neither the roadway nor the surrounding drivers were prepared for and are not supposed to be prepared for.
Note to self: No, you were never really trained to defend yourself against a 9,000 lb truck bearing down on you at over 90 mph.
An unbelted passenger - in this case the governor - could certainly have compromised the driver's ability to control the vehicle. In that case, the governor would have played a significant contributing role in the final outcome.
I hope we all learn something more than "wear a seatbelt" from this event, but I hope we at least learn that.
My sympathy to Governor Corzine and his family.