Basically, writing a story where there's a guy driving down the road, and he ends up hitting a guy who runs out right in front of him. Turns out, the person he hits and kills is a superhero. I'm kinda wondering what the whole process of the aftermath/investigation may look like. I want his face plastered everywhere, and for him to be the poster boy for everything the city hates, but I guess it wouldn't really make sense if he were charged with anything, for example. I mean, is there any way he'd be able to go home that night? As it stands now, in this story, the guy has an interview the next morning where some of the questions makes him think about what he did, but not sure how I'd reconcile that with people filming him, and immediately making him public enemy #1, as I'm sure the interviewer would be aware. Any ideas? Kinda just trying to show him hit the superhero, show a bunch of people filming him, and I guess I'm not sure what could happen next for someone who becomes instantly recognizable and hated.
(Not a Lawyer in the U.S.) Depends on if it is a hit & run or if he stops and calls 911 and tries to render aid. If someone runs out in front of your car you probably won't be charged with anything unless you leave the scene of the accident or it can be proven you broke some law that contributed to the accident (drinking, speeding, not stopping for pedestrians at a clearly marked crosswalk, etc.). 'Bonfire of the Vanities' was a decent movie about an accident that appeared to be a hit and run (but wasn't so simple) and how the community united against the suspected driver. The characters face similar dilemmas (do they report it? Hope no one finds out?). This was before cell phones and is set against the backdrop of racial tensions in NYC. Not sure about the book, but it is probably better.
Yeah, that's kinda what I was thinking, that he wouldn't face charges. Guess what I'm really concerned about is what the aftermath of being infamous overnight for killing a city's beloved superhero would look like. I guess I'm looking for something he can be arguing about in the car while on the phone with his GF or something (he hides the fact he was on his phone) where we can then cut to the next day, where he relives the events of the night before. I was thinking a big interview, maybe where they ask him, "how do you handle unexpected changes or challenges?" or something. Or perhaps something that shows a secondary character flaw that he can improve upon later (the main story revolves around him trying to absolve his guilt by suiting up as a vigilante himself).
If he was involved in a fatal accident the Police would seize the phone. He would also be breathalysed. He wouldn’t necessarily be arrested, especially if people were witness to the fact the hero ran out directly in front of his car but he would likely be cautioned for his offence and brought in for an interview at a later date after Police have completed initial enquiries - dash cam, cctv, reconstruction, witness statements, etc. He'll be in diffs when police triage his phone and see a call at the same time as the accident.
Hmm, that's a good point. They'd probably check his phone during their investigation. Perhaps something else, like him messing with the touch screen on his car, trying to change music or something. I was initially concerned about the immediate aftermath of the accident, but I'm now thinking that maybe I could cut to just a couple of months later, show that his face is still very much prominent in the news, show him having to sort through the death threats in his mail, etc. No need to cut to the very next day. Have it all be implied.
He would likely be arrested at the scene. Then the police turn the investigation or to the DA who would make the decision on what if any charges would be filed.
Yeah, I figured that'd be the case. I've since decided to just cut to a couple of months later, well after he's been cleared, and show that he's now the most hated man in the city. Now my only issue is figuring out how exactly to have my main character make a CHOICE that has him accidentally killing the superhero.
Your setup seems to preclude the MC making a choice. What choice does the MC have when someone runs out infront of his car. Based on several suicidal deer, you don't have time to do anything. You can cover the back story with a few news paper headlines. Sman, killed in car accident. Driver arrested. John Doe acquitted in death of Sman. What will the city do now? Sman is gone, and his killer acquitted. Back story covered, and the reason the MC is so hated explained.
Hey @frigocc—I just stumbled across this video and immediately thought about your story. I don't know how I never heard of this guy before, but apparently there was a 'real' superhero in Seattle named Phoenix Jones. Just a sort-of normal guy who got fed up and made a suit consisting largely of body armor, and started patrolling the streets kicking ass, with a GoPro camera. There might be a few things you could use or think about. One thing that stood out to me—since he was doing his thing only a few years ago, lots of people got cellphone video of him, like everywhere he went. Anyway, here's the vid. I'm sure there are many more: The Psychotic Cosplayer that went from "Fighting Crime" to Prison Time EDIT—whoah, this is really wild! I just returned to Youtube and was immediately shown this video: I Was a Real-Life Superhero This guy was part of the super-team that helped Phoenix Jones, and he was also a comic book artist, and created a comic book about his exploits. I was wondering, after seeing the last video, if all the guys were in such great shape and trained MMA fighters like Jones, but yeah—no. This guy's a pasty shlubby geek. EDIT—I watched a little more of the second video, and he says at the time he had been studying Krav Maga for years and doing the Insanity workout, so I retract my previous statement. Still though—the word that comes to mind is delusional. EDIT—I finished the video, and I must say, my respect for this guy is now through the roof. He's a great person.
A close coworker friend of mine hit and killed a bicyclist that ran out in front of her. Here is what I know from what she told of of the incident. Police and emergency workers came out. They determined the victim was dead on arrival. Medical examiner was called out to confirm. My friend was given a breathalyzer and the usual battery of field tests to determine if she was anyway impaired (she wasn't). She was then put into the back of a patrol car while the police investigated the scene. She wasn't arrested, but her pick up was impounded. The body was removed and taken to the morgue for further examination. More forensic evidence was collected. My friend was released, but was told charges could be pending depending on further investigation by police and the prosecuting attorney's office. It was weeks later that she was notified that no charges would be filed. The death was ruled accidental. Her pick up was returned to her. Unfortunately, she has not mentally recovered from the event, two years later. To make matters worse, it happened a mile from her house. She drives by that spot every day.
