Roth Chases Down Hit And Run Driver
By Bryan Dean/The Oklahoman ~ Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Jim Roth made a citizen’s arrest this afternoon after he witnessed a hit-and-run collision near the state Capitol.
Oklahoma City Police Master Sgt. Gary Knight said the wreck occurred near NW 23 and Ollie.
Roth, contacted by The Oklahoman, said he was driving west on NW 23 about 12:30 p.m. when a man in the car next to him rear-ended a woman and pushed her car into a sport utility vehicle.
“I stopped and realized that the guy who had caused the accident quickly pulled up and took a right turn on a side street and sped away,” Roth said.
Roth said he cut through a parking lot and drove north on Western, hoping to cut the fleeing driver off. He caught up to the driver as they reached NW 25 and Western.
“I pulled in front of him and blocked his car and told him to get out,” Roth said. “I told him what he did was illegal and he was leaving the scene of an accident and that we should go back and see if everyone was OK.”
Roth said several other people stopped to see what was going on and helped him block the man’s car. Roth said he called 911, and Oklahoma City police quickly arrived and arrested the man.
Knight said Mallikarjuna Pawgad Mutt, 23, was arrested on a complaint of leaving the scene of an accident and two traffic violations. Knight said Mutt, an OCU student, told officers he fled because he only had a learner’s permit and not a driver’s license.
“Any time you are involved in a traffic accident, you need to stop,” Knight said. “It’s not just for safety reasons. If you flee the scene of an accident, you are just adding to the number of charges you are going to be facing.”
Roth said at least one woman involved in the wreck was treated by paramedics.
He said he never considered whether the man might be armed or that confronting him could be dangerous.
“It just outraged me that he rear-ended a young lady and his instinct was to flee the scene instead of helping her,” Roth said. “It offended me.”
Oklahoma City Police Master Sgt. Gary Knight said the wreck occurred near NW 23 and Ollie.
Roth, contacted by The Oklahoman, said he was driving west on NW 23 about 12:30 p.m. when a man in the car next to him rear-ended a woman and pushed her car into a sport utility vehicle.
“I stopped and realized that the guy who had caused the accident quickly pulled up and took a right turn on a side street and sped away,” Roth said.
Roth said he cut through a parking lot and drove north on Western, hoping to cut the fleeing driver off. He caught up to the driver as they reached NW 25 and Western.
“I pulled in front of him and blocked his car and told him to get out,” Roth said. “I told him what he did was illegal and he was leaving the scene of an accident and that we should go back and see if everyone was OK.”
Roth said several other people stopped to see what was going on and helped him block the man’s car. Roth said he called 911, and Oklahoma City police quickly arrived and arrested the man.
Knight said Mallikarjuna Pawgad Mutt, 23, was arrested on a complaint of leaving the scene of an accident and two traffic violations. Knight said Mutt, an OCU student, told officers he fled because he only had a learner’s permit and not a driver’s license.
“Any time you are involved in a traffic accident, you need to stop,” Knight said. “It’s not just for safety reasons. If you flee the scene of an accident, you are just adding to the number of charges you are going to be facing.”
Roth said at least one woman involved in the wreck was treated by paramedics.
He said he never considered whether the man might be armed or that confronting him could be dangerous.
“It just outraged me that he rear-ended a young lady and his instinct was to flee the scene instead of helping her,” Roth said. “It offended me.”
posted by Mike McCarville @ 4:18 PM
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