Speeders kill dog on Wild Oaks Lane

[David Creel]

Last Wednesday on July 15, around 3:30 in the afternoon a car driven by teenagers were speeding down Wild Oaks Lane and killed our beloved dog. They did not stop; instead they fled from the scene of their crime. My daughter was checking our mail located at 9231 Wild Oaks Lane. Rather than slow down as the vehicle approached her the assailants swerved around her and then hit our dog. She tried to chase after them on foot but they sped away. The car is described as a goldish colored Toyota, possibly a Corolla, about ten years old. We need to find these individuals before their negligence harms another family. Any information regarding the identity of these irresponsible people will be greatly appreciated.

[Frankly]

How did they hit the dog if it was on a leash according to the law? Was the dog in the road or in the yard?

[David Creel]

David Creel wrote:

Last Wednesday on July 15, around 3:30 in the afternoon a car driven by teenagers were speeding down Wild Oaks Lane and killed our beloved dog. They did not stop; instead they fled from the scene of their crime. My daughter was checking our mail located at 9231 Wild Oaks Lane. Rather than slow down as the vehicle approached her the assailants swerved around her and then hit our dog. She tried to chase after them on foot but they sped away. The car is described as a goldish colored Toyota, possibly a Corolla, about ten years old. We need to find these individuals before their negligence harms another family. Any information regarding the identity of these irresponsible people will be greatly appreciated.

The dog was not on a leash but the car was speeding--excessively. I wonder if the leash would be bothering you so much if my daughter had also been hit or had it been your dog. The driver was speeding and swerved to miss her, thus hitting the dog. He shouldn't have been speeding and he should have slowed down when he saw a person standing in his way! That would have been the responsible thing to do. But beyond that, he didn't even have enough compassion to stop, instead he ran. I'll let the readers be the judge of who was wrong here.

[Someone]

I don't think there is a leash law in the county

[David Creel]

Someone wrote:

I don't think there is a leash law in the county

Frankly may be insensitive, but he's also correct; there is a leash law in Jackson County. I'm more concerned about the guy that ran over my dog, he is clearly irresponsible AND dangerous. Next time it might not be someone's dog, it could be someone's child. I certainly hope not.

[Michael]

David Creel wrote:

<quoted text>
Frankly may be insensitive, but he's also correct; there is a leash law in Jackson County. I'm more concerned about the guy that ran over my dog, he is clearly irresponsible AND dangerous. Next time it might not be someone's dog, it could be someone's child. I certainly hope not.

Come on guy be real. Hold old is your daughter? If she's at the age where she needs to be supervised about playing in the street, than it damn sure isn't the drivers fault her parents weren't being supervisors, or taught her not to go into the street. As for your dog, we're all sorry to hear about it but come on, leash law, I just got a 100.00 leash fine for my dog being off it's leash in diamondhead. If my dog would've gotten hit I damn sure would've excepted responsibility instead of trying to find the guy online to blame. Easiest thing to do is to bury your dog, and get over it man. Good luck.

[Frankly]

Insensitive? I prefer "factual". The facts are as follows.

1. The speeder shouldnt have been speeding.(like this doesnt happen every day right or wrong on every road in America).

2. The dog should have been on a leash.

I'm sure that anyone would be upset about someone nearly hitting their child no matter how old they are. Heres the kicker though bub. Everyone makes mistakes. Some people just get away sometimes and live to get old and complain about the same stuff that they did when they were young. Sorry about your dog but for petes sake move on. Even if you found out who it was you wouldnt be able to press charges cause you were BOTH wrong.

[David Creel]

My daughter is 24 years old. I think we all have the right to walk out to our mailboxes and check our mail without having to worry about getting run over by a speeding vehicle. If you guys think it's acceptable, that's fine. Just don't come speeding down my street cause here's the new deal BUB--I'll get your tag number and file charges against you.

[Frankly]

oooooh stop it. You are really scaring me there big guy. No more John Wayne marathons for you skippy.

[Robert]

Mr. Creel, don't take this the wrong way but your dog should have been on a leash. My condolences if it was special to your family but you should have been obeying the law like every other dog owner.

I agree though the speeders should be ticketed.

But unless you clocked them with a radar gun and you are a registered law enforcement officer....then it would never stand up in court.

If you see them speeding again, feel free to get the tag and call in the pd....

[David Creel]

Robert wrote:

Mr. Creel, don't take this the wrong way but your dog should have been on a leash. My condolences if it was special to your family but you should have been obeying the law like every other dog owner.
I agree though the speeders should be ticketed.
But unless you clocked them with a radar gun and you are a registered law enforcement officer....then it would never stand up in court.
If you see them speeding again, feel free to get the tag and call in the pd....

Robert, thanks for your comments. I think you're spot on here. I wonder if the court would accept a video of a speeding vehicle? I thought about asking the county to put in a speed bump but most residents on this street drive responsibly. So why should everyone have to put up with a speed bump because of one bad driver? It looks like the kid that did this is avoiding the area for now, which is a good thing for us. I just worry about the other neighborhoods he is driving through. I don't wont to see anyone's dog or child get hurt.

[Jason]

David Creel wrote:

<quoted text>
Robert, thanks for your comments. I think you're spot on here. I wonder if the court would accept a video of a speeding vehicle? I thought about asking the county to put in a speed bump but most residents on this street drive responsibly. So why should everyone have to put up with a speed bump because of one bad driver? It looks like the kid that did this is avoiding the area for now, which is a good thing for us. I just worry about the other neighborhoods he is driving through. I don't wont to see anyone's dog or child get hurt.

They would not accept a video of a vehicle unless there was a clear shot of the driver's face and you knew his identification in order to sign the charge. Reckless driving would be the appropriate charge since you are obviously not going to be allowed to run radar yourself. There is a problem though. In order to be allowed to sign charges yourself, you would need to know a good bit of information about the perp. So unless its a driver that you know personally, just a tag number would not do. In your case I would recommend calling in the tags to the police and one of two thing will happen.

1. They will eventually stop the car that you are calling about and identify the driver in order for you to sign charges.

2. They will get so tired of you calling that they will send officers into the area to write a bunch of tickets.

In either case the problem will be addressed in some way. Just be careful when you do call to be courteous to the dispatcher.......

[David Creel]

Jason,
You sound pretty knowledgeable about law enforcement. If I may ask, are you in the business?

[Jason]

I do not want to appear rude but I choose not to discuss my employment in this forum. Sometimes people are punished for speaking the truth in public. You can research the entire Mississippi code at the following site. Traffic laws are listed in title 63.

http://michie.com/mississippi/lpext.dll...

[Robert]

David Creel wrote:

<quoted text>
Robert, thanks for your comments. I think you're spot on here. I wonder if the court would accept a video of a speeding vehicle? I thought about asking the county to put in a speed bump but most residents on this street drive responsibly. So why should everyone have to put up with a speed bump because of one bad driver? It looks like the kid that did this is avoiding the area for now, which is a good thing for us. I just worry about the other neighborhoods he is driving through. I don't wont to see anyone's dog or child get hurt.

Understood. Regrettably there isn't much we can do without opening ourselves up to lawsuits.

Again, if you catch them, call the PD, that's about all I can tell you.

Good luck.