A Hit-and-run is not a felony - if you have money....

If you haven't ran across this yet, prepare to be outraged:

Vail Daily
http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20101104/NEWS/101109939/1078&ParentProfile=1062

Yup.  Allegedly hit a bicyclist, drove away without rendering assistance.  Then caught while putting his mirror and bumper into his trunk.  Bad injuries to the bicyclist - spinal injuries and bleeding into the brain, knee injury and a broken scapula (this tells you how bad it was - the scapula (or shoulder blade) is one of the three hardest bones in the body to break).

Big fines, time in jail?

Nope.  It's gonna be a misdemeanor, 'cause the guy who allegedly did it has loot.  Lots of loot.  Bags and bags of loot, the potential to make more, and I'm sure his clients and friends have something to say about it.

So, following this logic, take a look in your bank account, and add into that how much you could make at your job.  That should tell you how many people you're allowed to run over.

The logic on the side of the 'prosecution' and the district attorney is that a felony conviction would impair the accused's ability to pay restitution.

I call BS.

I'm sure someone who manages a billion in assets has knowledge of a few things like asset protection and a personal liability insurance policy.  You don't control that kinda loot and be dumb about your own money.

So, what's the true reason?  I'll let you take this to its logical conclusion, but I invite you to look at the 2 main players:

Mr. Erzinger - Accused hit-and-run driver, man with friends and money.
DA Hurlbert - political aspirations (read: needs money to fund campaigns); likes to hurt those he can and protect those he can:
http://www.crimeandfederalism.com/2010/11/mark-hurlbert-corrupt-prosecutor.html

The Victim:
Dr. Milo - most likely won't be able to perform live-saving liver transplant surgeries for a long time - if ever.

What can we do?
A few words and a plea from Jordan Rapp, professional triathlete and car vs. bike victim
http://forum.slowtwitch.com/Slowtwitch_Forums_C1/Triathlon_Forum_F1/Calling_EVERYONE_To_Action!_P3065992

What else can we as cyclists and triathletes do?  Be careful, be visible.  And don't ride around Erzinger or Hurlbert.