filming-dying-car-crash-victims

[dlockhart]

So this is where we are as a society.


“It is not a crime to stick a camera where a kid is dying or try to sell it.”

Read more: Douchebag Arrested After Filming Dying Car Crash Victims On Phone Instead Of Helping Them
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[flipper35]

Sadly, yes it is where we are at.

[varmint]

isn't there a crime called crazed indifference?

[Neilk]

Don't click on link, they appear to show the footage that he was trying to sell. I didn't watch the video nor want to, but I don't feel like the site should get any more hits peddling the video. Correct me if I am wrong about the content. Guy is a douche.

Here is what the article says

A jerk in Ohio is being charged for entering a car after an accident and filming the two injured teenage victims, one of whom later died from his injuries, while calling them “idiots” and making no effort to help them.

The two victims, Zachary Goodin and Cameron Friend, both 17, were critically injured, after the driver lost control of the car while crossing railroad tracks and crashed into the side of a tree.

Paul Pelton, the man charged, and nearby neighbors rushed to the scene. As the neighbors were attempting to help the two boys, Pelton opened the back door and leaned into the car to film the boys right after the accident, then later attempted to sell the footage to local media after posting it on Facebook.

In a response video he later posted on Facebook, he says he posted the original footage of the victims because she wanted to “educate” other young drivers about the importance of “not speeding and driving recklessly.”

Lorain Police Detective Buddy Sivert said Pelton only committed a crime when he entered the car without permission. If convicted, he faces a maximum of 30 days in jail and a $250 fine.

“We searched to try to find anything to charge him with,” Sivert said. “It is not a crime to stick a camera where a kid is dying or try to sell it.”

[pavulon]

"Nightcrawler" is a movie about this sort of thing.

[Baz]

Neil - thanks - I didn't click on the link.

Disgusting but doesn't surprise me.

Nothing surprises me any more.

I've been saying for years we are going backwards.

[cstreit]

What a scumbag. Here is a perfect case where the teens friends ought to deliver a little neighborhood justice. Pretty sure the local cops would struggle to find something to charge them with too.

[john70t]

In the early 80's I took a lifeguard course at a camp in Canada.
In open water when the victim is panicked and trying to drown you, you should punch them and swim away underwater until they collapse or are more manageable. Then resuscitate and drag back to shore.
They said "let them drown or you'll get sued" for Americans.

[pcardude]

Someone should give him a beat down!

[Don Ro]

I watched the video and saw nothing that was gruesome.
The asshat gave a few statements but kept his eyes down below the brim of his baseball cap and wouldn't look at the camera.
An occasion for learning for him, I'd hope.

[berettafan]

So this guy thinks it's enlightened to tell us teenagers are idiots?

Who the fark lives through their teen years and doesn't realize they were an idiot for a number of them? I suggest this guy is clueless and so detached from reality as to be worthless to the rest of us.

[aap1966]

In Sydney in the 1990s a particular demographic in South Western Sydney used to delight in hassling women they considered not appropriately head-covered. Eventually, their chosen victim happened to be the girlfriend of a paratrooper based at Holsworthy Army base.
The paratroopers, being caring type guys, then visited the ringleaders at their homes, at 2 am, unannounced, to "explain" their concerns. I understand that they didn't knock.

This guy needs a 2 am unannounced visit by some-one equally keen to explain societal norms.

[wdfifteen]

This has always been an ethical dilemma for journalists. If he had had some credentials he would probably be OK. But some douchenozzle trying to get some hits on youtube isn't journalism.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

This has always been an ethical dilemma for journalists. If he had had some credentials he would probably be OK. But some douchenozzle trying to get some hits on youtube isn't journalism.

Yep.

I used to be a real photojournalist. I had the press card and hundreds of published photos in newspapers and magazines. I was there for many news stories.

I have seen it in person and still see the stories when some person just had their house burn down or destroyed by a tornado, the reporter shoved a microphone in the face of the homeowner and asks "How does this make you feel?" That is NOT journalism just sensationalism.

At one fire I was shooting pictures of the firemen in action and standing next to a reporter for the local TV station. He asked that question and the homeowner told him in very clear language and then proceeded to discuss the parentage of the reporter and the entire staff of the TV station and even further discussed his dislike of that reporter and mentioned the area was dangerous and that the reporter MIGHT have a accident and be bruised and injured if he did not leave right away. That interview was never on the air for some reason.

There are many reporters that would do the same thing if they had been there first, then have a "story" how they tried to save the people and how the reporter was actually a hero. My opinion of MOST reporters is about on par with politicians and used car salesmen. There are a few good ones but no many.

The kid is indeed a douchenozzle, he sould get a job as a reporter. He will fit right in.

[Tobra]

Even if he was a journo, this is way over the line. He needs to fall and bump his head.

My wife had a wreck occur right in front of her, stopped to render aid. 2 year old kid in the back seat died on her, no car seat. She went off on the uninjured parents in the front seat and the paramedics had to drag her out of there. I wonder what she would have done to the cameraman we are talking about. She might just shoot his ass.

[tabs]

Is the guys name Brian Williams?

And the two kids in the wreck are getting their 15 minutes. So what is the problem here?

You Boyz got this all wrong, this is what America is all about callous indifference. We should be applauding Brian for the courage to put his camera in there to film an unpleasant reality of life. Not only could this be called cinema verite but Brian displayed true entrepreneurial spirit in tying to capitalize on the situation. Cudos to you Brian. What will be your next spectacular.

[URY914]

Also in this day and age everyone wants to be famous.

"Hey, your son just got shot, you want to give us an interview?"
"Sure, let me fix my hair and I need to start crying. Give me a minute and I'll be right with you."

[asphaltgambler]

Honestly....................I don't know how you could so dis-connect yourself from someone or something within arms reach to ignore their suffering and pain, only to record it......................that person cannot posses 1 fraction of 1% empathetic gene ..........

[foxpaws]

dlockhart - odd coming from an Anarcho Capitalist... if someone will buy it, and you can sell it - the market will speak.

However, hopefully in this case no one will be purchasing, so maybe the next time rather than filming, which apparently has no value, heroics will be in order instead. Such a sad story.

I would think if there was a definition of 'bad samaritan' in the dictionary this guys picture should accompany the text.

[widebody911]

Tasteless, but not illegal. Even if they did try to press charges, any two-bit lawyer could get him sprung.