I did not want to leave this to the metaphorical dung beetles that live in Spurious Generalities, so thought I'd post this here. It is not religious, but involves discussion of morals, so thought this was the nearest thing. If the mod wants to move this, don't bother - just close it!

Ok

So yesterday a girl from my halls of residence (first year at uni we live in halls) was knocked down by a car on a crossing opposite the flats; she died last night.

So it would be easy to just say "this was an unfortunate accident", but the problem is the person in the car ran a red light and hit her, carrying her a good 15-20 metres before dropping her in the middle of the road... then drove off.

So sure myself and everyone here is extremely angry and sad, as most of us came running out the flats the moment we heard the tyres screech. However the car had already gone (we have to run out of a central courtyard and onto the road), and no one saw the liscene plate.

Now two questions I pose to you:

1) An accident is an accident, but is driving off unforgiveable?

2) What kind of punishment does a person who does this really deserve to get?

As far as we know, the person who did it hasn't turned themselves in as of yet.

My own view is that this is unforgiveable, it goes to show how much of a shit people DON'T give about other human beings. Though a lot of people have been saying over the last 12 hours "I hope that fucker wraps himself around a tree in the car", I can't agree. The worst punishment is one they are going to get - having to live with the fact that their recklessness and stupidity killed a bright young girl who was only 21 and was training to be a doctor who in the future could have saved peoples lives.

Sorry... This is a half rant, but the questions stand. I would like to know what you guys think.

Driving off is very bad, if the person is someday sorry, they can be forgiven..

We aren't to decide what punishment they get. It is our job to try to forgive the person. Not let him off the hook, but to forgive them. Hope and pray that they will become better people.

Hitting her is an honest accident. If the guy was sober and not speeding, well we all make mistakes and he should be let off the hook.

However, considering that he just drove off rather than stopping to do everything in his power to help her, I think he should be given a manslaughter sentence. Pity you didn't get his number plate.

quote:The worst punishment is one they are going to get - having to live with the fact that their recklessness and stupidity killed a bright young girl who was only 21 and was training to be a doctor who in the future could have saved peoples lives.

Unfortunately, some people don't care about other people.

Which university are you at?

[This message has been edited by sp0rkius (edited 11-01-2005).]

Birmingham, UK

A lot of people, especially her flat mates got totally trashed last night which never helps things if you are depressed.

quote:Originally posted by Twiggy:



Now two questions I pose to you:

1) An accident is an accident, but is driving off unforgiveable?

2) What kind of punishment does a person who does this really deserve to get?



1)Accidents do happen. But if it were truly an accident, why wouldn't the driver have stopped? I suspect a drunk driver, or something along the lines of the driver having something to hide, and that's why he didn't stop. Stolen vehicle? Outstanding warrant, maybe? Drugs in the car?

2)Sounds like vehicular manslaughter to me. Don't know what the laws are in the UK.

Sorry to hear about your classmate dying. That's terrible.