The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk RIP old black truck

If ya have nothing better to do, call/write/stop by the local offices of your local politicians... county/city people, state legislature reps in your area, write 'em letters...

or just write a letter to the state attorney general, or a good start might be the local district attorney's office.

-W

An ex-trucker buddy of mine says to call DOT also, he got ticketed once by DOT for two lugs nuts not being properly torqued. Monday phones will ring, I promise. Hillbilly, I have lived out here 30 yrs, I know a lot of folks, a little bird told me where to look, sure enough there it was. Dead end road about 2 miles from accident scene. I pay taxes, I vote, I have 2 kids that almost lost their Daddy. I plan to take both kids w/me up to the State Police HQ if I have to, Gov's office,whatever. I got time. All he had to do was keep his truck on the right side of the yellow line. This guy is driving 40 tons on the same roads as everyone of you in the cont USA. Brian

Call your state DOT, the State Patrol chief, your State House representative and your State Senator, along with every print, radio, and TV outlet within their viewing/listening coverage. Present ALL of them with the information, and that nothing has happened other than you nearly losing your life! Especially since the "authorities" so far don't give a rat's [censored] about your situation, it's time to ratchet things up a notch.

Have your attorney get a summons issued against the cops that "investigated", that usually gets someones attention!

And for those of you that still think the cops are out to "protect and serve", this is yet another example of how that is generally BS.

Go get 'em 64fleetside.



-W

Good for you Brian - Don't let it go. Next time he might kill somebody.

Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper describing all of this. Start with that then radio and tv. I have had several problems with the police not wanting to do anything even with evidence , bust there chops. As taxpayers we deserve the right to raise hell if they are too dang lazy to do there jobs that are paid for out of our hard working pockets. I would put the truck in the front yard and a sign stating this guy did a hit and run and no one will do a thing.If you know someone on a major hiway see if they wil let you park a trailer in there yard with your truck and signs or drag it to town during the busiest part of the day. If you have to put signs on your daily driver and park out front of the local truckdriver hangouts , his company or the one he leases to. Call dot, call dps, call the company he is leased to. I wish I lived close to your town I would help by putting signs on mine and helping anyway I could. This just sucks that a regular working guy gets screwed like this , it really ticks me off. Maybe he needs a Stovebolter visit? I hope everything goes well for you and am glad at least you are ok.

1. Glad to know you're OK.
2. Sorry to hear we've lost one more fine old truck to someone's stupidity and negligence.
3. In response to a comment above, I know several officer's and they all go above and beyond to "protect and serve" and sincerly hope that this officer's lack of willingness to do his job is an isolated occurance. There's no excuse for this type of behavior.

***NOTICE: I'm not a lawyer and I don't play one on TV but I do have some experience along these lines so I'll share some things I've learned along the way.***

1. Document, document, document. Have a journal of every little ache, pain, etc. that you've experienced since the accident. Also include every doctor visit you've had and what the outcome was of those visits. Include dates, times and persons present (if applicable - like if you get a sudden pain in your back). This information goes to making your claim against the other party stick in court (if it gets that far).

2. Take pictures of your truck, the accident scene and the other truck (if you can get them). Keep all the loose parts, especially from the other truck. Get a copy of the accident report (it is a public record) to put in your file. This helps make the case that it was him and helps make the claim stick as well. Again, document as much as possible.

3. More documentation. For every call you make to the state or local police (or any one that you talk to in regards to this matter - including TV and radio stations); make sure you keep a log of the call including person(s) talked to (ask for their name from the start - that tends to get their attention), the date, time and duration of the call and a brief note on what was said to help jog your memory. Make sure you note every time you called and left a message. Be resonable in your expectation of a call back - police officers have very fluid schedules and it may take some time to get back to you. But, if you call more than twice without getting a response, leave a message that you are going to escalate to his/her supervisor and pursue it at that level - and escalate as far as necessary - follow through is essential in these cases. My experience has been that if you follow through by escalating more than twice something will get done - and soon - the higher ups don't like these kinds of calls.

If you think it's worthwhile, have someone else listen in on the conversation (with everyone's knowledge) as a witness to the call. Everytime you try to contact the investigating officer, I'd recommend having a witness listen - just to be able to back you up. It's just a just "he said - he said" thing unless there's a witness. And people tend to go with the officer's version of events when given a choice - it's that thing about trusting the police that we were taught as kids.

I'd also request a meeting with the officer to have him explain the investigation process and what he's accomplished so far in that process and what the expectations are for the remainder of the process. Ask that his supervisor attend and definitely bring a witness of your own. I'd also bring a voice recorder (or video recorder if you have one available) as well and explain that you just want to make sure you fully understand what is said so you want to keep a recording for review as necessary. Just lay the recorder on the table in plain site so there's no question that the recorder is there. Also, before the discussion starts, make an introductory statement that the conversation is being recorded, state the parties at the meeting, and the date, time and place of the meeting. The police use the same justification to make recordings of interogations to make sure the evidence is admissable in court so you should be able to do the same. If they refuse to participate under those circumstances, state that on the recording and stop the meeting - nothing said to you during the investigation should be off the record. Tell them that your attorney will be contacting them for further discussion. Also, ask that any information provided to you be followed up as a letter or report in writing - this helps prove your case as well as their position if it goes to court. Again, all this does is help you make your case if it goes to court and with any insurance company involved. Stay focused and let them know your serious about this matter and you'll pursue it as far as needed.

***ABOVE ALL, DURING ALL DISCUSSIONS, PHONE CALLS AND MEETINGS, STAY CALM AND RESPECTFUL TO ALL PARTIES. Losing it just weakens your case.***

***Again, I'm not a lawyer and I don't play one on TV so take this as a lesson learned from someone that's been through a similar experience.***

I'd do some of the "pot stirring" as well that others have suggested just to let people know how poorly you're being treated. I don't think there's a TV or radio station out there that wouldn't like to get their hands on a story like this. They all like to put the "guuberment" on the spot from time to time. Also, you should be able to find an attorney that would represent you as most would jump at a chance to go after law enforcement for abuse like this.

Of course, this is all easy for me to say since I'm not on the front line with you. Just believe that my sympathies are with you (as are most bolters I would guess) and we all wish you luck in pursuing this. Sorry for the long winded post but I thought you might find some of what I've learned useful.

Oh yeah, have a MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Thanks for all the ideas, guys. I am not giving up, and at least the trooper called me back last nite(I left mess's since Wed nite) & said "he would do some checking".The best thing that could have happened has, my ins co (State Farm)is covering the loss under uninsured motorist. They have deep pockets & lawyers to go after this creep. I have documented all my calls to & fro the police, the truck IS in the front yard w/"hit & run" on it. What bugs me is this guy drives all over & cares nothing about others. It has sure been an eye opener for me, I always thought cops were good at their jobs, etc., now I realize the truth. Most just draw a check & a free car. But to be fair, I found the same thing working at new car dealerships, I had always thought"wow those guys must know their stuff", not true. Brian

Man, Brian! I don't know how I missed this thread! I was confused with that first PM you sent saying you were sore and what not. Well it's all clear now! Really glad you're ok which obviously is the most important thing.
Crappy situation all the way around. I really believe in karma and that guy will definitely get his. Hang in there and help it happen.
-David

64 im sorry to hear about that. hope you get better soon, and sorry about the truck i own a 66 c-10 and a 82 k-10 and i love my 66 thatsgoing to be my daily driver when im 16. my sister got side swiped on the drivers side in her pontiac grand am, the other car must have been doing 35-40 totally smashed in the drivers side and she walked away with a rip in her pants. thats what i like to call GM power.
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jared_gray3/detail?.dir=/7989&.dnm=65fd.jpg&.src=ph

It is good that you are alive. We can replace our Bolts but you are more valuable than any Chevy.
Im sorry about Old black Truck, she was a nice looking Driver.If you need anything down Texas way just let us know.
Cliff59

Deluxe52,Savoy54,Apache59

64FLEETSIDE I don't know where in Arkansas you are but if you are interested I know where a few Chevy's that year are in this area[I am 45 minutes from Texarkana] , I will help how I can.
I had a truck stolen and I knew who did it. They stripped it and beat the mess out of it. Left handprints all over it and the cops said they could not do anything with it, they may have just touched it while walking by geez! Of course I just had liability.
Good luck!

64 glade to here the trooper called you back but dont rest call dot any way

64fleetside i heard your buying a 64 suburban from a friend of mine. hope you have fun with it. matt

Matt, I am meeting RJ tonite in Liberal,KS ,,I hope the burb is as nice as it looks,-I will be drivng it next week. I think my 5 y/o is almost as excited as I am. brian

He Fleet,
is there anything we can do? Like writing a letter to the chief of police there and encourage them to solve the crime. Don't you think that that would give them the idea somebody is watching them. Say 200 letters from all over the world would give them maybe the urge to do something? If there is anything else you come up with, let me know, I'm in and I bet some of the boys and girls here are willing to spent a dollar on postage.

Good luck
Richard

He Brian,
we might even sent some emails to this gentleman on his own website Mike and Janet Huckabee He wants to have an idea what his voters want, we can help him there.
If you want to go to the Police first try here for the person you want to talk/write to. Arkansas state police and maybe you want to help them and aply for this job
Vacancy

A Happy New Year

Richard

Nice '64 Burb that Brian picked up in Liberal, KS! He stopped by here (OKC, OK) on the way home and showed off the new toy. It's a very straight and complete truck from RJ in CO. They met halfway and did the deal. Congrats, Brian, and it wsa nice meeting ya! Get to put another 'Bolter name to a face!

Well, fellas I made it home safe & sound w/64 burb from RJ, it was just as he described & looked just like the pics, runs & drives around the block fine. RJ & wife Joyce are great people. burb has typical 40 y/o roughness around the edges but complete, solid, straight for its age. I'm sure my family thinks I'm nuts for driving over 1000 miles round trip for old bus but I love it & so does my 5 y/o, he had to have a ride as soon as it was off the trailer. Met Patrick outside OKC & shook his hand. Gave some C60 running boards to RJ for burgie in Colorado, they are closer than they were. the police say they have done all they can(or will) do, I guess they expect the ins co to figger it out. Meanwhile this guy is driving 80k lbs around w/each one of you(in cont US) as well as me. brian

hey glad to hear about the new burb. i really wanted to buy that one but i just didnt have the money. i ended up buying a 61 burb from RJ. matt

here are some pics of the Suburban home safe after 560 mile trip home thru the windy, smoking state of OK.(w/borrowed 1/2 ton truck & trailer) burb at home had a great trip, met Patrick & RJ & his wife Joyce, had great weather. OK is very dry, after meeting Patrick we could smell smoke strongly outside OKC. Didn't run into anything but could see it in the air brian

Hey Brian, that burb looks like the one i just sold,haha. thanks for the smooth tranaction.sorry we couldn't stay and talk more but we drove all the way home the same nite.i also got to met a fellow bolter (Brian)and his friend that rode with him.i'm glad it (burb) went to a good home.good luck with it. thanks again RJ

Matt, don't lie to brian you stole that 61 burb. haha. RJ

Wow thats a wild story my friend, I'm sorry bout your luck but you are still here...I talked with a St. trooper buddy of mine...He said to go to the Sgt...if no luck see his Lieutenent...Definatly goto the DOT thier infraction Nazi's and often like pushing even the HP's buttons as well as the tv news especially since thier giving you grief about following up on it...***Go see an attorney*** A S A P! who will probono you (that's no money up front only pay if he gets you a settlement...nothing more then a 1/3...and go get his [censored]...If I can help anyway please let me know

If you need a list of Attorneys in your area let me know I have one of the best Personal Injury attorneys in the country and he has associates in every state in the union...he's belongs to an assocation that on the the top 2% of the attorney's are allowed in...He's the best.

hey brian be sure to keep us updated on the progress oh the burb. matt

Congratulations on the new Burb, Brian! I'm glad you found a new 'bolt.

Sorry about your accident 64fleetside, I hope you have a quick and full recovery. I can't believe that the police don't take hit and run by a commercial driver seriously. Seems an investigative reporter might be a valuable asset as those at the top are political animals by nature. Usually a news story makes those wheels start to turn a little. It is a shame that you would have to resort to that but they aint shedding any tears for you. I hope you get justice from that cold-blooded, reckless, criminal. Take care, David.