Thread: VA: Hit-and-run shows issue of undocumented drivers

Hit-and-run shows issue of undocumented drivers

After collision, deportation likely awaits motorist after pleading guilty

By Alex E. Rich • Staff Writer • January 29, 2011

Comments(13)

ACCOMAC -- When Angel Perez's vehicle crashed into another last summer on U.S. Route 13 in Accomac, he leapt from the vehicle and ran away.

Perez, 32, of Onancock, left the aftermath and the driver of the other vehicle, who sustained a minor injury.

"He jumped from his vehicle and ran about a block down the street," said Frank Suraci, an assistant Accomack County prosecutor. "An individual uninvolved with the accident was able to make him sit down and wait for police."

Perez was an illegal immigrant without automotive insurance, and authorities say hit-and-run accidents involving such drivers can be a problem in areas with a large population of migrant workers.

Unable to pay for the damages or show proof of legal residency, undocumented immigrants may choose to flee the scene for fear of deportation.

Perez pleaded guilty last week to a felony count of leaving the scene of an accident and a misdemeanor charge of obstruction of justice in connection with the July 23, 2010, collision at the intersection of Lankford Highway and Accomac Road.

He was arrested the day after the crash and had been incarcerated since, testimony showed. Substitute Circuit Court Judge Robert B. Cromwell Jr. sentenced Perez to a total of six years on the two convictions with all but six months suspended on condition of good behavior.

Regardless of the sentence, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement department has placed a detainer on Perez and deportation proceedings likely will begin.

The problem of drivers like Perez has been noticed by the state. Late last year, in an effort to decrease the number of illegal immigrant drivers, Virginia decided to deny federal work permit cards as proof of legal status in the United States, which is needed to obtain a driving license and purchase car insurance.

Others say people are overlooking the human element when it comes to the issue of immigration.

The Rev. Louis A. Timmons of Willis Wharf, who leads Casa Esperanza, a private agency in Wachapreague that donates food and clothing, gives counseling to the local immigrant community.

"The issues are not legal and illegal," said Timmons. "They are frightened, hurting people in a strange place that has strange ways. These people are bound to make mistakes. But that only makes them human, not just illegals."

Timmons said some of his clients have lived in the community 8-10 years and have bought houses and made homes here. He said many are struggling to find work while farms, the seafood industry, and many major tomato plants are experiencing economic trouble.

"These people come into the store crying," said Timmons. "Sometimes all we can do is sit and listen."

Lately, donations to Casa Esperanza have diminished, though many Hispanics volunteer their labor to help with the upkeep and organization of the agency. About 1,500 people a month visit -- sometimes as many as 40 a day.

Others say it's the victims of hit-and-run accidents who must deal with physical and vehicular damage. If reported to police, the crashes trigger a process by insurance companies and the state to fund the damages.

Under Virginia law, all motorists must have Uninsured Motorist insurance. Tommy Richardson of the Hall-Richardson Insurance Inc. in Keller said this should cover the cost of injuries and damages, but the victim of a hit-and-run accident must report the incident to police.

"Insurance companies will try to recover funds from the hit-and-run operator," said Richardson. "They will try to investigate and locate the hit-and-operator to refund the deductible."

The state code says it is the duty of drivers to stop after accidents "involving injury or death or damage to attended property" and to "render reasonable assistance to any person injured in such accident." If the result is injury, death, or damages surpassing $1,000, the motorist can be charged with a class 5 felony.

Still, Timmons laments the eagerness of people to condemn others. "The world is always too ready to cast blame and judgment," he said.

http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/2011 ... /101290304

Americans are the victims.

Dixie

Louis A. Timmons is an idiot.

Need to put ICE on Timmons. After the illegals come for assistance nab them and deport.

"The issues are not legal and illegal," said Timmons. "They are frightened, hurting people in a strange place that has strange ways

The issue is PRECISELY legal and illegal. They are not frightened - they march in the streets with their flags making demands. They are not hurting - they are stealing our jobs and making a good living, enought to send money back home and to drive better cars than I can afford.

Originally Posted by jean

Hit-and-run shows issue of undocumented drivers

After collision, deportation likely awaits motorist after pleading guilty

By Alex E. Rich • Staff Writer • January 29, 2011

Comments(13)

ACCOMAC -- When Angel Perez's vehicle crashed into another last summer on U.S. Route 13 in Accomac, he leapt from the vehicle and ran away.

Perez, 32, of Onancock, left the aftermath and the driver of the other vehicle, who sustained a minor injury.

"He jumped from his vehicle and ran about a block down the street," said Frank Suraci, an assistant Accomack County prosecutor. "An individual uninvolved with the accident was able to make him sit down and wait for police."

Perez was an illegal immigrant without automotive insurance, and authorities say hit-and-run accidents involving such drivers can be a problem in areas with a large population of migrant workers.

Unable to pay for the damages or show proof of legal residency, undocumented immigrants may choose to flee the scene for fear of deportation.

Perez pleaded guilty last week to a felony count of leaving the scene of an accident and a misdemeanor charge of obstruction of justice in connection with the July 23, 2010, collision at the intersection of Lankford Highway and Accomac Road.

He was arrested the day after the crash and had been incarcerated since, testimony showed. Substitute Circuit Court Judge Robert B. Cromwell Jr. sentenced Perez to a total of six years on the two convictions with all but six months suspended on condition of good behavior.

Regardless of the sentence, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement department has placed a detainer on Perez and deportation proceedings likely will begin.

The problem of drivers like Perez has been noticed by the state. Late last year, in an effort to decrease the number of illegal immigrant drivers, Virginia decided to deny federal work permit cards as proof of legal status in the United States, which is needed to obtain a driving license and purchase car insurance.

Others say people are overlooking the human element when it comes to the issue of immigration.

The Rev. Louis A. Timmons of Willis Wharf, who leads Casa Esperanza, a private agency in Wachapreague that donates food and clothing, gives counseling to the local immigrant community.

"The issues are not legal and illegal," said Timmons. "They are frightened, hurting people in a strange place that has strange ways. These people are bound to make mistakes. But that only makes them human, not just illegals."

Timmons said some of his clients have lived in the community 8-10 years and have bought houses and made homes here. He said many are struggling to find work while farms, the seafood industry, and many major tomato plants are experiencing economic trouble.

"These people come into the store crying," said Timmons. "Sometimes all we can do is sit and listen."

Lately, donations to Casa Esperanza have diminished, though many Hispanics volunteer their labor to help with the upkeep and organization of the agency. About 1,500 people a month visit -- sometimes as many as 40 a day.

Others say it's the victims of hit-and-run accidents who must deal with physical and vehicular damage. If reported to police, the crashes trigger a process by insurance companies and the state to fund the damages.

Under Virginia law, all motorists must have Uninsured Motorist insurance. Tommy Richardson of the Hall-Richardson Insurance Inc. in Keller said this should cover the cost of injuries and damages, but the victim of a hit-and-run accident must report the incident to police.

"Insurance companies will try to recover funds from the hit-and-run operator," said Richardson. "They will try to investigate and locate the hit-and-operator to refund the deductible."

The state code says it is the duty of drivers to stop after accidents "involving injury or death or damage to attended property" and to "render reasonable assistance to any person injured in such accident." If the result is injury, death, or damages surpassing $1,000, the motorist can be charged with a class 5 felony.

Still, Timmons laments the eagerness of people to condemn others. "The world is always too ready to cast blame and judgment," he said.

http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/2011 ... /101290304

well go back to Mex & Demand what you want not In our country
why you can not get what you want in your country . Im not over looking any thing they kill & rap. you name it they did it . & they have better car then we do ? with No insurance . why we Hav eto have every thing . & they don't some thing not right with this PIx
the gov Better starte doing your job
& get the all the illegal Immigrants out Not just Mexico all, Of them from all the other country . get hellout

no Amnesty

"The issues are not legal and illegal," said Timmons. "They are frightened, hurting people in a strange place that has strange ways. These people are bound to make mistakes. But that only makes them human, not just illegals." They made the decision to break the law {In a strange place} and they have to pay the consequences for their actions There goes that "free ride" mentality again Lets just forgive them because they are "human too" STOP with all of the politically correct nonsense,and the utter stupidity of these statements Rev. Timmons You are not serving your creator (GOD) by making excuses for criminal behavior to the detriment of ANOTHER PERSON THATS WHY WE HAVE LAWS MR. TIMMONS

The issues are not legal and illegal," said Timmons. "They are frightened, hurting people in a strange place that has strange ways. These people are bound to make mistakes. But that only makes them human, not just illegals."

Oh, and I suppose the victims are less human?
They SHOULD be frightened Timmons. What makes them so special that they should not be frightened of breaking the law?? That is why law enforcement works for most people.

Struggling to find work... Again, that major concern for illegals over American citizens. And this guy is supposed to be a reverend. I wonder if he ever counsels these people to go home, to not break laws and steal identities, to have the decency to stop when they hit a car or person to minister to them - the real victims. To man up. This guy needs to follow the Bible much better and teach the illegals that their being in this country illegally is breaking the law and crime has consequences; and to go home and do things the honest way.

"These people come into the store crying," said Timmons. "Sometimes all we can do is sit and listen."

That's all?? Why not tell them that their victims are crying and hurting because of what they are doing? His compassion should be for the victims first. He is supposed to be teaching God's way and what the Bible says no matter his emotions.

Others say it's the victims of hit-and-run accidents who must deal with physical and vehicular damage. If reported to police, the crashes trigger a process by insurance companies and the state to fund the damages.

And then honest people pay the higher premiums to make up for illegals crimes.

Maybe more legal, honest, law-abiding people need to start crying to these church leaders more. Hmmm, wonder if they would care..??

(Mod Edit/double posted/removing one/RB)

"The issues are not legal and illegal," said Timmons. "They are frightened, hurting people in a strange place that has strange ways. These people are bound to make mistakes. But that only makes them human, not just illegals."

The issue IS precisely "legal and illegal," but you want to change the issue to muddy the waters in order to bring into play the compassion argument!

All the other nonsense you threw into the discussion is irrelevant! These people are trying to muster up the compassion argument on behalf of these criminals since the rule of law is clearly on our side! What's so heartless about deporting someone to their rightful country of citizenship, especially when they entered this country in violation of our sovereignty?

ANSWER THAT QUESTION!