| This is a true story that will hopefully serve as a warning to those
of you who must travel through Lewisburg. |
On a recent
trip for a film shoot to Point Pleasant, West Virginia, I was riding with
two of my friends. We were taking turns driving my friend's car.
I was going about 74 to 76 mph on 64 West. The speed limit is 70.
We were near the county of Greenbrier in Lewisburg, West Virginia.
Suddenly, a dark colored jeep pulled right behind me.
From my rear
view mirror, I can see a redneck hick with a crewcut wearing a bright green
shirt and sunglasses at the wheel. He looked like someone from the
movie, "Deliverance." There were now less than two car spaces between
us. I didn't know what he wanted, but I do remember some parts of
West Virginia still being less than friendly to non Caucasians.
I stepped on
the gas to put a little more distance between us. However, he decided
to tail gate me for the next mile. The faster I went, the closer
his car got closer to mine. Normally if I was driving my van, I wouldn't
have given this piece of turd any concern. But now I was driving
my friend's "smaller" car, I had to be more careful. A little tap
from the jeep and we would have been goners.
At one point, he got
so close when I looked into the rear view mirror, all I saw was the headlights
and the front of the jeep. I couldn't even see the windshield. It
was getting too close for comfort. I decided to pass the car beside
me and change into its lane. The car next to me was going very fast,
and he wouldn't let me into its lane. Neither would the car behind
him. I don't know how fast I was going, but the jeep behind me suddenly
put on its sirens and pulled me over for speeding.
The officer
stepped out in his army pants and boots. He looked more like he was
a hunter than an officer of the law. He asked me what the speed limit
is. I replied, "70." Then he asked me how fast I was going.
I couldn't answer him because I honestly did not know. I figure it's
a little over 80, if he pulled me over. Still everyone else on that
stretch of highway was going as fast if not faster than I am. The
main fact is: I wouldn't be going as fast as I did, if the officer didn't
tail gate me so closely. I didn't know he was an officer, I didn't
know what he wanted. For all I know, he wanted to hunt me down like
a deer or burn me on a crucifix.
I didn't know
if he was a real cop or a pretender, I just wanted it to end quickly.
I didn't even bother to argue, I just gave him my driver license.
I noticed the side of his jeep have a logo that said "Department of Natural
Resource." When he was talking to me, he had an attitude about him.
It's like he felt superior to me. When he was talking to my Caucasian
friend who owns the car, they were joking and laughing. When it was
my turn to talk to him again, I received the chilly attitude again.
In all my years
of driving, this was my very first ticket. It was for speeding 82
at a 70. The date was August 29, 2002. The time was 12:25 p.m.
Unfortunately, it didn't say how much the fine was or where to send the
check. There was only a phone number, but no area code. The
officer did this even though he's been told we were from Virginia and just
passing through. And I have only till October to call the number
or have my license suspended. Before I can ask, his jeep pulled out
onto the highway going at least 90.
Fortunately
some of our friends in another car saw us pulled over, so they stopped
at a gas station at the nearest exit. They gave us a call on the
cell phone which was my only way to figure out the area code. Soon
after, I called the number, but they refused to tell me how much the fine
is unless I plead guilty. I did find out what the court cost is:
$115 which would be more expensive than any fine they're charging me.
Unfortunately,
there's really not a thing I can do other than paying the fines and watching
my insurance go up because some racist cop with delusions of grandeur basically
entrap me. There was no witness or evidence that'll help me in my
case. It's basically my word against his, and I don't see the judge
trusting mine over his. My two friends were sleeping in the car when
all this happened. Otherwise, I would have gotten one of them to
tape the whole incident on the digital camera we had in the car.
Even if I did
drive 5 1/2 hours to Lewisburg to contest the case, who knows what little
surprise he'll have planned for me. Since he had it in for me, he
might shoot me and said I planned to go for his gun. Or that he suspected
I was a terrorist. Ever since the heightened security of this country
due to the terrorist attacks, men like this have greater freedom in exercising
their abuses of power. At times like this, I wish I was working for
Internal Affairs instead and have the ability to take powers away from
turds like this.
Of course after
this incident, I'm never driving through Lewisburg, West Virginia again.
Then again, it's not like I'll be missing much. I wasn't planning
to go to any lynching anytime soon.
(From 9/15/02) |
| If you have to drive through Lewisburg, God help you if you do, be
very careful. |
Update: Couldn't get his badge ID number
or name, but I did find out it's Unit 427 State Police. Also the
fine is $139.00 even.
(From 9/30/02)
Update: On the ticket, it said I have until
Oct.13 to pay the fine. When I called, the lady told me I have only
until Oct.9. She said I had 40 days from when I was issued the ticket
to do it. She didn't understand why Oct.13 was listed on the ticket
instead. It's just more evidence the guy had it in for me.
(From 10/1/02)
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| Thank you to those of you who have been sending your thoughts and comments.
They are much appreciated. |
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