Prayers for Jim Treacher; Update: State Dept, not Secret Service
posted at 10:00 am on February 4, 2010 by Ed Morrissey
Jim’s a great friend to Hot Air and conservatives everywhere, and in his new gig at the Daily Caller, has a good stage for his biting humor and political insight. We may have to wait a while for Jim to regale us as he was the victim of a hit-and-run accident last night. Jim’s knee is broken and remains hospitalized, as Jim himself reports from his bed:
Sometime between 7 and 7:30, not long after I got home from work, I walked to the CVS on 22nd and M to get some bread, milk, and a SmartTrip card. I was right across the street from the CVS, and I waited for the crosswalk light to tell me to go before I crossed. I had plenty of time left, according to the countdown clock. I was more than halfway there when a black SUV made an illegal left turn and hit me head-on. I absolutely had the right of way. I yelled something like, “Are you really doing this?” as it hit me before I could move. I landed on my face on the street and smashed my glasses and scraped my hand and immediately I knew something was wrong with my left knee. I lay there screaming and cursing for I don’t know how long, and a crowd of people gathered and told me to hold still.
According to some witnesses, including apparently the DC police, the SUV may have belonged to the Secret Service:
One last thing: I’m told by multiple people that the SUV that hit me was Secret Service. If this is true, I want to know why that happened. I was crossing legally, and they just left me there. At the very least, I want an apology. What happened to me was wrong.
Any hit and run is illegal, and serious injury moves it up to a felony in most jurisdictions. The police will have to investigate to see who owned the vehicle, and Jim may get his apology — and the driver a big legal bill and possibly some jail time. Hopefully, we’ll get a better picture of who hit Jim and why in the very near future.
In the meantime, our prayers for a speedy recovery go out to Jim.
Update: I misread Jim’s post the first time through; he’s no longer in the hospital. However, the police added insult to injury by issuing Jim a citation for jaywalking, which Tucker Carlson tells me is “completely false and made up.” Tucker also talked to the driver today, who refused to discuss his employer. Keep an eye on the Daily Caller — this story has gotten stranger and may get stranger still.
Update II: The Daily Caller reports that the SUV was driven by an employee in the State Department’s security apparatus, and not by the Secret Service, as had been suggested at first by The DC.










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omg
hope they track the f*ck down
ugh
and the knee, worst place to break
blatantblue on February 4, 2010 at 10:02 AM
who was driving?
Obama?
Ayers?
Michelle O?
poppieseeds on February 4, 2010 at 10:02 AM
D.C. is a rough place.
Godspeed, Treach!
DaydreamBeliever on February 4, 2010 at 10:04 AM
Wow.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery, Mr. Treacher.
Was the idiot driver talking on a cell phone by any chance?
UltimateBob on February 4, 2010 at 10:04 AM
Best to Jim
Wade on February 4, 2010 at 10:04 AM
All the best for a quick recovery for the Treach, I still use a phrase I found on his old page, the concept of ” you can kiss it high and deeep.”
bbz123 on February 4, 2010 at 10:04 AM
I’m kind of curious what would mark an SUV as SS. Tinted windows?
Don’t they try to make their vehicles as nondescript as possible?
Count to 10 on February 4, 2010 at 10:05 AM
Prayers for a speedy recovery.
BadgerHawk on February 4, 2010 at 10:06 AM
Probably updating his Kos diary via Blackberry.
justkevin on February 4, 2010 at 10:06 AM
In a world of hand-held phone cams, hopefully the light was good enough that someone got a snapshot or a video of the vehicle, since the government tends to buy tons of SUVs and other vehicles with the same basic look, making it tough to distinguish unless you have the license plate (though I guess the SUV in question also probably has some clothing fibers in its grill right about now).
jon1979 on February 4, 2010 at 10:06 AM
Treach–hang in there brother. I’m confident that we’ll get to the bottom of this. I hope there are eyewitnesses that got the tag number/vehicle ID. Maybe the vehicle was damaged.
ted c on February 4, 2010 at 10:06 AM
they are so nondescript that they are descript
blatantblue on February 4, 2010 at 10:06 AM
Best wishes for a full recovery for Jim. Broken joints are very difficult to recover 100% from. And the knee is the worst designed joint in the human body.
Secret Service did this? WTH? Those folks are usually pretty damn good, shocking to think one of them would ignore all the traffic laws — when it isn’t a presidential motorcade. Bizzaro story.
rbj on February 4, 2010 at 10:06 AM
Best wishes, Jim.
Damn Joe Biden and his motorcade!
gaius on February 4, 2010 at 10:07 AM
Who hits a PERSON and keeps driving?
I hope witnesses got the plate number.
bridgetown on February 4, 2010 at 10:07 AM
Thin Blue Line of Silence.
One standard for cops, another for everyone else (i.e. cops get away with it).
Lucky they didn’t shoot his dog.
pseudonominus on February 4, 2010 at 10:07 AM
The same day that the Panda Express arrives at Dulles for the trip to China, Treacher is run down by the SS. Coincidence? I think not!
rslancer14 on February 4, 2010 at 10:07 AM
I hope your head is okay jim. I know some car crash scientists and they say the knees and the head in car vs blogger accidents are the most frequently injured.
ted c on February 4, 2010 at 10:08 AM
Wow, how awful! Get well soon, Treacher! Hope they find these douchebags quickly.
NoLeftTurn on February 4, 2010 at 10:08 AM
They didn’t yell, “Watch out jack, we’re trying to get healthcare done for you!” did they?
ted c on February 4, 2010 at 10:08 AM
Speedy recovery!
unlisted on February 4, 2010 at 10:08 AM
The husband just made a snarky remark that the Secret Service and the drug dealers drive the same vehicles in D.C., check the wheels(rims) for clarification.
Cindy Munford on February 4, 2010 at 10:09 AM
Big black SUVs with tinted windows. They are all over DC. Not much reason for an ordinary citizen to be speeding and making illegal turns into crosswalks around that neighborhood at 7:00 p.m.
rockmom on February 4, 2010 at 10:09 AM
I almost had a similar experience witha black SUV with diplomat plates near the UN building. Some Euro-thug just blew a red light as I was crossing and I literally had to dive out of the way. Broke my $100 bluetooth earpiece in the process.
Sharke on February 4, 2010 at 10:09 AM
You were getting too close to the truth.
Abby Adams on February 4, 2010 at 10:09 AM
Anyone know where BO and/or Biden where about the time of the accident? Better pick them up for questioning.
BruceB on February 4, 2010 at 10:09 AM
Get well soon, Jim.
Moonie on February 4, 2010 at 10:09 AM
Get well soon!
gwelf on February 4, 2010 at 10:10 AM
Whoa! Hang in there Treach … I hope that knee turns out OK.
darwin on February 4, 2010 at 10:10 AM
Eric Holder says there’s no case.
Oh , wait, he might be the defendant?
Nevermind.
bbz123 on February 4, 2010 at 10:10 AM
OMG Rahm dispatched a SS hit team on Treacher! And they would have got away with it if it weren’t for you meddling kids!
Alden Pyle on February 4, 2010 at 10:10 AM
Quick Treach! Look under the sheets and make sure that you still have both feet. I hear that foot rustlin’ is rampant in them there hospitals and that docs will do anything just to do the surgery cuz they gets reimbursed better for it.
Did they offer you a blue or red pill?
j/k for laughs
ted c on February 4, 2010 at 10:10 AM
Get well soon and thank God for good friends to help you out.
Cindy Munford on February 4, 2010 at 10:11 AM
This is why those evil SUVs should be banned. A hybrid would never have done such a thing.
RadClown on February 4, 2010 at 10:11 AM
Mother, may I sleep with Treacher? He’s in a hosptial bed, and needs comfort…..
(creepy voice off) seriously Jim, I’m praying your you and yours, God Bless
thebrokenrattle on February 4, 2010 at 10:11 AM
What a horrible accident. Jim’s knee will probably never be 100% again and I’m sure he is in serious pain today.
rockmom on February 4, 2010 at 10:11 AM
Good luck Jim!
BTW, which conservative is next?
FireBlogger on February 4, 2010 at 10:12 AM
I know I’ve laughed at several of Jims comments here. At some points he’s had my sides hurting. Indeed, he has a biting humor. lol
Best wishes, for a speedy recovery Jim, and prayers to you as well.
Absolutely he had the right of way. Even if the crosswalk light goes out, pedestrians in a crosswalk ALWAYS have the right of way.
Secret Service eh? I have my thoughts on that, but will wait for further details.
Get well soon, Jim, and give the nurses a hard time. LOL
capejasmine on February 4, 2010 at 10:12 AM
Prayers for Jim. Get well soon.
WashJeff on February 4, 2010 at 10:12 AM
Very true! It’s like seeing an unmarked Crown Vic w/o hubcaps and a drivers side controllable spotlight.
Godspeed Treach!
bernzright777 on February 4, 2010 at 10:12 AM
License plates.
uknowmorethanme on February 4, 2010 at 10:13 AM
Knee injuries suck. Get well soon.
crr6 on February 4, 2010 at 10:13 AM
Don’t give the man any ideas!
blatantblue on February 4, 2010 at 10:14 AM
Adding my wishes to Jim for a speedy recovery to the many others.
Hit and Run is the ultimate drive by and the owner of the vehicle and most especially the driver will face their comeuppance when caught, so better they turn them selves in.
And I bet everyone now may start to appreciate those cameras keeping watch over U.S. when we have to be in public.
MSGTAS on February 4, 2010 at 10:14 AM
Did the CIA send the Peruvians in to take him down?
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/02/04/rep-hoekstra-says-justice-denied-shootdown-innocent-americans/
bbz123 on February 4, 2010 at 10:14 AM
Probably not. We aren’t British.
uknowmorethanme on February 4, 2010 at 10:15 AM
Anything but the KNEE!! Dang, that is going to hurt him forEVEH!
Speedy recover Treacher and many years in jail for the scumbag that hit ya. Or a good wack to the knee with a baseball bat. Whichever.
Elizabetty on February 4, 2010 at 10:16 AM
Well that sucks big time Jim!
Best wishes for a speedy recovery, and welcome to DC…
JusDreamin on February 4, 2010 at 10:16 AM
Saw his tweets last night, and after the first two, I realized the punch-line I was waiting for was not coming. :(
I mean seriously, who the heck hits someone and doesn’t stop?!
That’s barbaric.
Hopefully some of the nearby places have surveillance cameras or something to add to the witnesses’ statements.
Ba$tards need to pay for this.
tehd on February 4, 2010 at 10:16 AM
Hang in there, Jim, and best wishes for a full recovery. If we get a few more profanities from you in the near future, we’ll understand.
Bob's Kid on February 4, 2010 at 10:16 AM
Prayers for Jim Treacher. I hope the jerk who hit him gets caught .
Get well soon Treacher!
cubachi on February 4, 2010 at 10:17 AM
I’m guessing the investigation will unexpectedly fail to turn up any leads.
Buddahpundit on February 4, 2010 at 10:17 AM
Police already covering it up?
uknowmorethanme on February 4, 2010 at 10:17 AM
Jaywalking? AYFS!?
WisCon on February 4, 2010 at 10:18 AM
If it was a law enforcement official responding to a call, they’re beyond prosecution.
But it’s just as likely that it was some guy who wasn’t paying enough attention to the road.
hawksruleva on February 4, 2010 at 10:18 AM
Headline in Local News
“Injured Blogger Involved in Nurse Sex Ring at Sibley Memorial Hospital”
blatantblue on February 4, 2010 at 10:18 AM
Best wishes to Treacher, I hope he’s a fast healer!
hawksruleva on February 4, 2010 at 10:19 AM
ouch, :( get well soon.
trailortrash on February 4, 2010 at 10:19 AM
HUH??? So law enforcement can just run people down in the streets with no worries if they are responding to a call???!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
bridgetown on February 4, 2010 at 10:20 AM
True Story: when I was new to Hot Air I came across one of Jim’s famously sarcastic postings here. I had never heard of the guy and I replied to his comment with very harsh words. I learned, by clicking his name-link, that he was not a troll but one of the good guys. Went back to the thread and apologized profusely. Treacher should have flamed me for the flaming remarks but he was 100% kind to me. Moral to the story: Treacher is not only one of the wittiest people in his field, he is the kindest.
Get Well Treach.
carbon_footprint on February 4, 2010 at 10:20 AM
And the police tried to give him a ticket for jaywalking? Why didn’t they pursue the hit-and-runner??? Sounds fishier and fishier by the moment….maybe Pelosi was driving???
chai on February 4, 2010 at 10:20 AM
Looks like the Liberals are really out to get him now! Watch you back good buddy and get well soon.
Browncoatone on February 4, 2010 at 10:21 AM
So true, I was jogging along by the Lincoln Memorial in early fall, it was getting dusk and no one was around. Just as I got to where the tree line met the side walk I heard someone crashing through the bushes to get me. I’m thinking I’m going to get mugged or killed for my running shoes by some gangbanger!
My heart jumps into my throat as a big honkin deer bolts out of the brush and land right in front of me! I scream like a B-movie bimbo. We both look at each other wide eyed for a second and then he bolts off across the street into the woods on the other side.
Heh, almost done in by a frickin deer in the middle of DC.
Alden Pyle on February 4, 2010 at 10:21 AM
Prayers are sent your way JT. While you’re just laying around drop in a slap some of our trolls.
thomasaur on February 4, 2010 at 10:21 AM
b.hussein said IGNORE the bloggers, not run them down!!
Treacher is one of the best – Godspeed on the recovery dude & may they catch the dirty bastard.
Ris4victory on February 4, 2010 at 10:22 AM
Seriously, WTF??? This is outrageous!
rockmom on February 4, 2010 at 10:22 AM
I cannot say what I’m thinking right now because this is a more or less family friendly blog. However, suffice it to say that jackasses who cite hit-and-run victims for jaywalking probably give tickets to rape victims for improper use of contraceptives.
Physics Geek on February 4, 2010 at 10:22 AM
I hope he sues and makes millions.
JammieWearingFool on February 4, 2010 at 10:22 AM
Oh man, hope you have a speedy and full recover Treacher.
That’s not correct. They have to respond with “due regaurd” to those around them. Several years ago we had and EMT running hot to a call here and collided with a vehicle. Somebody was killed and the EMT was prosecuted. I don’t recall what the charges were but, she was found guilty.
boomer on February 4, 2010 at 10:22 AM
How do the police give him a ticket for jaywalking when they obviously weren’t there? Did he land in the wrong place? I am glad the driver has contacted him but I have to point out the if it does turn out to be Secret Service it’s time for service wide driver school because this is not the first time they have hit someone.
Cindy Munford on February 4, 2010 at 10:23 AM
There has to be video for that corner. Jim said he was coming out of a CVS.
danking70 on February 4, 2010 at 10:24 AM
Chicago politics. (thuggary)
stenwin77 on February 4, 2010 at 10:25 AM
Get better SOON Treach! and Go Get Them Tucker for Treach so that when he’s all healed up The Daily Caller can expose the jerk who did this!
Branch Rickey on February 4, 2010 at 10:25 AM
hey, AP was thinking out loud a few weeks back about going clubbing with Tucker Carlson….er, I think he meant clubbing Tucker Carlson….
Jim, was Tucker with you and did the tag on that SUV read “HMPBOT”?
If so, go to writemalkin@hotmail.com.
/
ted c on February 4, 2010 at 10:26 AM
And was it a Toyota?
mrt721 on February 4, 2010 at 10:26 AM
Get well Jim.
Open season on Conservatives?
Speakup on February 4, 2010 at 10:26 AM
sinister….
ted c on February 4, 2010 at 10:26 AM
The important thing is that he’s well enough to be posting this.
Prayers Up, get well soon!
Juno77 on February 4, 2010 at 10:27 AM
Was it a Toyota Prius with its brakes going out or a Tundra with its accelerator stuck? If so, there’s a recall for that, I think i heard….
ted c on February 4, 2010 at 10:28 AM
Then run lights at a minimum if you want to blow through traffic signals on the way to a call. I can understand no sirens, but you can turn lights off two blocks before you reach the scene and still be sneaky.
Oh, and anytime you’re speeding you’ll need to have lights on, too. Otherwise you’re just taking advantage of your office and simply speeding, and we the public are tired of it.
Get well soon, Treach.
rogerb on February 4, 2010 at 10:28 AM
I’m guessing the driver was Rahm Emanuel.
hang in there, treach!
james23 on February 4, 2010 at 10:28 AM
Reportedly, Patrick Kennedy was behind the wheel of the SUV.
UltimateBob on February 4, 2010 at 10:28 AM
.
Why would DC police make a charge (jaywalking) against him that’s demonstrably false, assuming there’s an abundance of witnesses to confirm the WALK sign was still on GO.
The SUV made an illegal turn to hit him, and the police charge Jim? Hmmmmmm…
petefrt on February 4, 2010 at 10:28 AM
If it was a congressman heading to a vote, they’re exempt too. He was just tryin’ to get healthcare done for ya, y’know./
ted c on February 4, 2010 at 10:29 AM
Ummm…why isn’t the driver under arrest? Where I come from, hit-and-runs are a felony when someone is seriously injured at the scene. And also in Washingotn state:
RepubChica on February 4, 2010 at 10:30 AM
D.C. police: We aren’t certain what happened, but the “jaywalker acted stupidly.”
Nalea on February 4, 2010 at 10:30 AM
If the individuals and their intentions are liberal enough, yes.
TedInATL on February 4, 2010 at 10:30 AM
Rahms shoulder must still be sore from brickbatting all the senators knee caps, this is his plan B.
ted c on February 4, 2010 at 10:30 AM
Speedy recovery Jim T.
TampaBayBull on February 4, 2010 at 10:30 AM
Between the Secret Service, Biden motorcades and Patches Kennedy, DC just isn’t safe for pedestrians.
Urquhart on February 4, 2010 at 10:31 AM
Simply awful. Best to you Sean.
RushBaby on February 4, 2010 at 10:32 AM
Just because someone refuses to discuss their employer doesn’t make him a CIA agent. Whoever did it is likely scared of the charges that come with hit and run. How can Tucker even be sure he was talking to the actual person and not some wacko who wanted to pull his leg? I find that strange.
Regardless, best wishes Jim. I hope you get better soon. Just be comforted by the fact that if Obamacare had passed and been implemented, you’d still be lying in the street this morning waiting on an ambulance.
:)
Thunderstorm129 on February 4, 2010 at 10:33 AM
Sure, I will give a shout out and a get well to the DC Trawler.
Brass on February 4, 2010 at 10:33 AM
I’ve heard of the Chicago way, but this is ridiculous! Hit and run, he’s got the right of way, and corruptocrats in DC try to cover for the SS by slapping Treacher with a jaywalking ticket. Uh huh. Dag! His knee’s messed up and I didn’t even get to sleep with Treacher. Mother!
SilentWatcher on February 4, 2010 at 10:33 AM
Does Tucker have some nefarious plot to get dailycaller.com traffic up? /
ted c on February 4, 2010 at 10:33 AM
Prayers and best wishes for a speedy recovery, Mr Treacher.
mz.josephine on February 4, 2010 at 10:34 AM
Did this happen at the one intersection in DC that didn’t have a CCTV camera?
daesleeper on February 4, 2010 at 10:34 AM
DeathtoMediaHacks was from Washington DC. Just Sayin.
Jim Treacher, get well soon and I hope we find out who did this.
hawkdriver on February 4, 2010 at 10:35 AM
Let’s have a tea party and demand the charges be dropped!!!!
But later, when there is no blizzard.
Cindy Munford on February 4, 2010 at 10:35 AM
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