Hartford Hit and Run: Compassion Lost

By now all of us have heard of the horrific hit and run that occurred in Hartford, CT. This was the second shocking hit and run in the State of Connecticut, one leaving a 78 year old man paralyzed and the other killing a 11-year old girl.

The incidents have so outraged many that the Governor of Connecticut felt compelled to issue a statement:

Statement of Governor M. Jodi Rell on hit & run crashes in Hartford, New Haven
By Gov Rell's Office

Governor M. Jodi Rell today issued the following statement on the tragic hit-and-run crashes in Hartford and New Haven that have left a 78-year-old man paralyzed in Hartford and an 11-year-old girl dead in New Haven: “In recent days pedestrians have been the victims of hit-and-run crashes in both Hartford and New Haven. I am asking anyone in Connecticut who may have information that could help police to please call them right away. It is crucial that police identify the motorists who ran these innocent people down and then cravenly fled the scene. “The video of the Hartford scene is beyond chilling. There seems little question that the driver of the car that struck Angel Arce Torres on May 30 knew what happened. Yet the driver sped off, leaving his victim sprawled and motionless in the street. Almost as chilling is the reaction of some passers-by, who did little in the moments after the crash to assist Mr. Torres. “Similarly, police are still searching for the driver of a car that struck fifth-grader Gabrielle Lee on Wednesday night near the intersection of Whalley Avenue and Davis Street in New Haven. A child’s life was ended in an instant – yet no one has come forward to accept responsibility. “These incidents and others – such as the savage and inexplicable, indefensible attack on former Hartford Deputy Mayor Nick Carbone on Monday – shock our state to the core. Such violence simply will not be tolerated. Those who are responsible must be identified, prosecuted and punished. “My heart goes out to the families and friends of Mr. Torres, Mr. Carbone and Gabrielle. Again I urge anyone who may have information about these violent crimes or any others to call the police. Only by working together will we successfully identify and punish the predators who threaten our safety. “Please help bring justice to the families of Mr. Torres, Mr. Carbone and Gabrielle.”

The sense of right and wrong have not only been lost on the drivers, but on the bystanders as well. A great many in our society have lost our sense of humanity, simple compassion for our fellow man. My 13 year-old son looked at the video in horror and asked –“Why isn’t anyone helping that poor man?” My son was not satisfied with the answer – “I do not know why…”

There were plenty of people who took the time to snap video and pictures with the cell-phones, but God forbid that would reach out and help! What goes through a persons mind when they decide to ignore the suffering of a person right there in front of them?

Is this just another example of how human life has been devalued? Should these bystanders be charged with a crime? Would you have acted the same, or intervened? What do you think your child would have done if confronted with this situation?