I haven't seen, nor do I plan to watch, the video. But what a terrible human being. There is absolutely nothing he can say to justify his actions. Those poor kids.
I think this guy is gross. But how is it different from "stringers" who go around filming events, typically accident scenes, and selling it to news media? Are there any TV media folks here?
I think this guy is gross. But how is it different from "stringers" who go around filming events, typically accident scenes, and selling it to news media? Are there any TV media folks here?
It's a fine line, but I think that actually entering the vehicle to video dying people without even attempting to help crosses it.
That said, some of those people's actions are pretty despicable too.
What a disgusting, vile person. I was in a similar situation, obviously not near as bad as I'm alive. It amazes what people do, and seem to think is ok.
yes. good Samaritan rule. (or non-requirement thereof) one of those random things that stuck since law school
Ah, I always that the GS rule covered people who attempted to help but were unsuccessful. Maybe I was mixing things up (or perhaps it covers both situations?).
That gets into another area. You have no duty to help. But if you do, and you end up making things worse, you can be sued.
Post by downtoearth on Jul 17, 2015 14:53:38 GMT -5
I think this says something about us as a society... we see gore and violence enough to have some amongst us not be motivated to help and automatically be empathetic, but instead think, "Ah, this video will teach those terrible young drivers a lesson!" That is so, so sad.
Are there some civil cases that can't be filed? Could they make an argument that the kids may have had lesser injuries or survived if he had helped them?
No. Unless one of a very few exceptions are present (like the person in need of help being a minor you are responsible for) there is no duty to render aid so you can't be successfully sued for failure to do so.
Post by cinnamoncox0 on Jul 18, 2015 6:51:49 GMT -5
This is outrageous. I Can't undertand this. I mean, I wouslnt know what to do if faced with a car with kids and life threatening injuries, I'm not at all trained for that, but I know for sure the last thing i woudl be doing is filming. I hope I would be at least trying to comfort anyone conscious, or just get the fuck out of the way so the ones actually helping medically can get in there. I wish someone else helping had ripped the phone from his hand and smashed it. Not the more mature reaction but I can't imagine helping kids fight for their lives then look over and see some dickhead filming. One of my kids is a teen, this is extra bothersome. What a waste of space this guy is.
I don't believe for one minute he filmed this with the intention of it being a lesson to young drivers, and l-o-fucking-l at that "charitable donation" line.
This guy pounced on what he thought was a good opportunity to cash in on, and as soon as the Internet (rightfully) declared him an asshole for his shitty behavior, he had to back peddle.
There are a lot of people like this. Many more than you think. There are entire websites devoted to stuff like this and it gathers a pretty large following. I don't know what's wrong with the world. I saw a family member die in a car accident and I basically hyperventilate when I see an accident now. So I'm not sure how one stoops to the level of filming people on their death bed.
Post by miniroller on Jul 18, 2015 11:08:19 GMT -5
I hope this story gets a lot of press. I keep thinking that there has to be a line in this digital age, yet someone inevitably continues to cross it. It's sad & disgusting.
There are a lot of people like this. Many more than you think. There are entire websites devoted to stuff like this and it gathers a pretty large following. I don't know what's wrong with the world. I saw a family member die in a car accident and I basically hyperventilate when I see an accident now. So I'm not sure how one stoops to the level of filming people on their death bed.
So this brings up 2 points I was thinking about.
1- I can recall numerous videos of stuff like people getting beaten up. Specifically, one of a transgender girl in a fast food joint. You could see everyone standing around and watching and NUMEROUS phones out recording. But NO ONE helping. This whole aspect of having cell phones sickens me. People now think " Oh- I need to capture this on my phone" instead of "what can I do to help?".
2- I'm not going to judge people or expect people to dive in and help. Specifically to what you said you witnessed (and I just can't imagine, I'm so sorry) - you don't know why people aren't helping. Maybe they are scared, don't know what to do, frozen over what they are seeing. Or in situations where others ARE helping, just feel that it's better that they stand back. So this guy not HELPING - fine. BUT, well, the rest of it - we all agree on that and how wrong it is.
There are a lot of people like this. Many more than you think. There are entire websites devoted to stuff like this and it gathers a pretty large following. I don't know what's wrong with the world. I saw a family member die in a car accident and I basically hyperventilate when I see an accident now. So I'm not sure how one stoops to the level of filming people on their death bed.
I remember a few years ago when 60 minutes or 20/20, or one of those type of shows did the story on "Porsche Girl", and IIRC, her family initially found out by receiving one of those annoying chain letter emails that photos from the accident had been posted all over the internet on different "tragedy porn" sites.
I think it wound up coming out that the photos initially made it to the internet because at least one of the cops at the scene leaked them, and they were able to sue the police department. I'm glad they were able to at least get that tiny bit of justice, but in the end, it doesn't un-do the fact that there were/still are multiple websites out there mocking their 18-year-old daughter's death.