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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/puts on his tinfoil hat…
Yesterday, the Precedent told Dems to stop listening to internet pundits, and certain media outlets…
Then, CIA runs over an Internet Pundit…
Does this sound like Chicago or what?
Romeo13 on February 4, 2010 at 10:36 AM
Oh no! Jim’s an awesome guy. Godspeed, buddy!
BlueStateBilly on February 4, 2010 at 10:38 AM
I have been reading Treacher’s Trawler over at the DC. I will keep him in my prayers.
d1carter on February 4, 2010 at 10:39 AM
He is lucky it wasn’t more serious. Be careful out there Jim Treacher and get well soon!!!!
kangjie on February 4, 2010 at 10:39 AM
PETITION FOR A SPECIAL GRACE BY THE BLESSED CURE OF ARS
O Mother of Jesus, through thy measureless sufferings in the Passion and death of thy divine Son and by virtue of the bitter tears thou didst shed, I beg thee to offer the holy body of our divine Redeemer, covered with wounds and blood along with thine own sorrows anda tears to the Heavenly Father for the salvation of souls and for the grace to obtain:
FOR MR. JIM TREACHER, PLEASE FIX HIS KNEE!
ProudPalinFan on February 4, 2010 at 10:39 AM
Knee injuries are horrible – I hope for a speedy recovery for Jim/Sean*! I wonder if he got the ticket because the police assumed he was in the wrong – because no one in DC would ever try to run down and hit a pedestrian in a crosswalk or anything. Hopes for a speedy resolution being sent your way too!
*I’m a little confused as to whether to use his non de plume or his actual name. I’m fond of Jim Treacher, personally.
Anna on February 4, 2010 at 10:39 AM
Sounds like a retard may have been driving that SUV.
Hucklebuck on February 4, 2010 at 10:39 AM
Cindy Munford, read your last e-mail. You really don’t need to send anything else. We still have a table full on stuff from the Christmas packages. (Maybe you should one to Jim Treacher) I know they made me feel better.
hawkdriver on February 4, 2010 at 10:41 AM
Jaywalking?!? Why didn’t they just arrest Jim for flying without a license?
I guess Pelosi really didn’t like that post about how long people could stare at her picture before going blind.
Get well soon! I hope they get the SOB who was “above the law.”
DrAllecon on February 4, 2010 at 10:41 AM
Jim, did you get a glimpse of Tom Daschle or Van Jones underneath that bus from your vantage point?
ted c on February 4, 2010 at 10:41 AM
I’ll bet Barry was driving!
GarandFan on February 4, 2010 at 10:42 AM
Good thing you weren’t attacked by Canadian Mounties. They always get their man.
But have someone watch out for black helicopters while you rest, ’cause the Secret Service would like the same to be said about them…
Lily on February 4, 2010 at 10:43 AM
No, rahm drives. Dad says he’s a really great. a really great. a really great dri dr driver….he lets him drive in the driveway all the time….
ted c on February 4, 2010 at 10:43 AM
Really sorry to hear this, JT. Prayers for a speedy recovery.
Missy on February 4, 2010 at 10:44 AM
Did the police issue a citation for jaywalking because they had evidence that he did so or because they were told to issue it as part of some whitewash?
Extrafishy on February 4, 2010 at 10:44 AM
Dang! Get well Jim.
JeffinOrlando on February 4, 2010 at 10:46 AM
Best Wishes Jim and a Speedy Recovery.
Toyota Silver Lining.
Dear Taliban we have the repair fix for your Toyota -shim this.
Dr Evil on February 4, 2010 at 10:48 AM
Leave it to you Jim to literally get run over by Obama!
Get well soon!
Good think I’m not paranoid or I’d be saying it wasn’t an accident!
TheBigOldDog on February 4, 2010 at 10:48 AM
Prayers for a complete recovery. And I hope that a camera shows that the driver was at fault and can be prosecuted or at least made to pay for hospital care/physical therapy etc.
journeyintothewhirlwind on February 4, 2010 at 10:50 AM
Treach, hope you’re back on your feet and feeling a lot better soon.
Damn DC drivers are the worst, and M anywhere from Dupont to Georgetown is especially bad.
Again, get well soon.
Christien on February 4, 2010 at 10:50 AM
If you can’t beat em run em over
Capitalist Infidel on February 4, 2010 at 10:52 AM
Wait wait wait….I’m having a really hard time buying this story. You are trying to tell me that our government officials don’t follow the laws they create? You guys are bordering crazy, really losing your credibility here.
Fishy.Gov on February 4, 2010 at 10:53 AM
What are you saying Ed? Tucker tracked down the driver the vehicle that hit Jim? Was he cited for arrested for a hit-and-run? Got a link or something?
TheBigOldDog on February 4, 2010 at 10:53 AM
Wow, that’s only a couple blocks from where I work. I’ve nearly been hit a few times in dc, grazed once. But unlike JT., I was at fault in most cases. I’m still amazed at the brazen nerve of bicycle couriers in downtown dc, every once in a great while, you hear about one being hit, occasionally killed.
WordsMatter on February 4, 2010 at 10:53 AM
Jim –
Our prayers are ascending for you, sir. You are the reason I signed up for The Daily Caller. We miss you around here.
kingsjester on February 4, 2010 at 10:53 AM
Nah, I say it was Michelle.
SouthernGent on February 4, 2010 at 10:54 AM
My daughter works in D.C. and she was knocked to the ground (assault) by a D.C. cab driver who also stole her cell phone (theft) because he thought she “stiffed” him since she had only enough money to cover the ride and not the tip. The police refused to do anything about it. D.C. area police are worthless.
College Prof on February 4, 2010 at 10:54 AM
JT’s just a typical white person bitterly clinging to his CVS bag.
Alden Pyle on February 4, 2010 at 10:56 AM
This could actualy get interesting…
Trying to sweep this under the carpet with a normal citizen? Quite easy…
But little did they know that Jim Treacher has internet “friends”… meaning he has a “soapbox” from which to talk about this.
My Guess? As soon as they figure out what he does for a living, he will suddenly get the ticket pulled, and an apology.
Romeo13 on February 4, 2010 at 10:56 AM
My son was the victim of a hit & run driver. Same scenario, different city, on his way home from work in San Francisco. He sustained head injuries, from which he has completely recovered, thank God. While he was lying on the pavement, bleeding and going in and out of consciousness, people gathered around and some lowlife stole his wallet! They never found the thief and never found the hit&run driver either.
Sending good wishes to you, Jim Treacher, for a speedy recovery and for getting to the bottom of this, finding the driver, getting rid of the despicable jaywalking citation, all of it.
winfield on February 4, 2010 at 10:57 AM
Get well J.T.!!!!
yoda on February 4, 2010 at 10:57 AM
The rest of us have to watch it. A while back there were some robberies in the neighborhood. Two “men in black” I spotted them couple of houses past mine, sitting there waiting for some alien or something. Missed lic plate but yes the car is black w/tinted windows. I was taking the kids to the bus stop.
A day later or so, they came to my house by the back of the fence. Bad idea…my dog is there won’t let nobody pass. I spoke to them with my dog in front of them because they felt I was suspicious, they handed me some ID. Asked me over and over if I was in my house the Friday where there were one or two robberies. I told them perhaps but that I didn’t remember.
They asked me about the dog, gave them couple of answers and then they left. I never let them in, or get past the fence. They have never come back.
You wanna know why I didn’t trust them?
1-There were two; they were dressed in black like the movie.
2-Black tinted long car like the movie.
3-The ID they provided I didn’t trust it.
4-ROBBERIES IN MY CITY ARE HANDLED BY LOCAL COPS. I KNOW BY EXPERIENCE! Not by two “PI’s” of some sort.
Guys and gals, be safe!
PPF
ProudPalinFan on February 4, 2010 at 10:57 AM
Probably was BO and OMG’Biden coming back from the burger joint.
SayNo2-O on February 4, 2010 at 10:57 AM
HMMMMMMM: i bethcya it was no accident…
reliapundit on February 4, 2010 at 10:57 AM
Ya know, I’ve seen a black Suburban with darkened windows cruising slowly by my place recently, I wonder if it has anything to do with the comments I leave here?
Hold on, someone’s knocking at the d
Bishop on February 4, 2010 at 10:58 AM
So, Jim was treated with a ticket for “acting stupidly” and crossing the street? WTFO? BTW, just for planning purposes Jim, what kind of beer do you like?
ted c on February 4, 2010 at 10:59 AM
nice knowing you bishop…but..wait there’s someone at my doo…too?
ted c on February 4, 2010 at 10:59 AM
In the words of Frank Drebin, “You take a big chance getting up in the morning, crossing the street, or sticking your face in a fan.” Hope Treacher makes a speedy recovery.
OneGyT on February 4, 2010 at 11:03 AM
I know we’re all having fun with the conspiracy theories but would it really surprise anyone if this was actually politically motivated? I know I wouldn’t put anything past these people.
Capitalist Infidel on February 4, 2010 at 11:04 AM
I would send JT something in a heart beat if I knew where. Obviously it is your call but we could make sure y’all have a heck of a Going Home and Welcome party.
Cindy Munford on February 4, 2010 at 11:04 AM
/takes off his tinfoil hat to go get a cup of coffee…
/sits back down….
Now… I’m not saying there could be some consipiacy….
Wait, whats that strange buzzing sound….
Mmmmm..mmmmmm…mmmmmm…. Obama is teh Won!
Romeo13 on February 4, 2010 at 11:05 AM
He was cited for JAYWALKING??????? Are you KIDDING???? This most definitely needs investigating. This is just too damned weird. Get well soon, man. We need you.
Mad Mad Monica on February 4, 2010 at 11:05 AM
Capitalist Infidel on February 4, 2010 at 11:04 AM
And for good reason. Besides what he’s doing openly to destroy this nation there’s also this stuff: http://butterdezillion.wordpress.com/2010/01/11/red-flags-in-hawaii-2/
OT: Is anybody else having trouble getting onto Free Republic?
And my best wishes for Jim Treacher. Has he been addressing particularly controversial subjects lately?
justincase on February 4, 2010 at 11:06 AM
My prayers go out to you! Get well soon.
Brat4life on February 4, 2010 at 11:08 AM
Someone must’ve reported JT to the WH snitch line awhile back – and they’re just now getting around to him… ;)
Midas on February 4, 2010 at 11:09 AM
It would be terrible if the names of the driver and the officer were accidentally leaked. There would probably a few thousand people investigating. So I hope their names don’t become public.
GoodBoy on February 4, 2010 at 11:10 AM
I sure wish Jim Treacher had a cool new “hotair.com” hat to make him feel better as he recovers.
ted c on February 4, 2010 at 11:10 AM
pass me some of that Victory Gin
ted c on February 4, 2010 at 11:11 AM
Strange story. I doubt this is the last of it.
ORconservative on February 4, 2010 at 11:12 AM
As longer as his funny bone is intact, I suspect Treacher’s gonna be fine. Get well.
Christien on February 4, 2010 at 11:12 AM
The prayers have already started, Ed.
Please do keep us up to date on this, I want to know where this goes.
Always enjoyed Jim’s humor on this site, I miss it.
Joe Pyne on February 4, 2010 at 11:13 AM
The Thought Police—new and improved in SUVs.
ted c on February 4, 2010 at 11:15 AM
So sorry to hear this, Treacher! Just glad that your brain is still intact. Hope that pull out bed is comfortable – sounds like you’re going to be spending a lot of time there.
Maybe John Edwards could work pro bono as his lawyer:)
Buy Danish on February 4, 2010 at 11:15 AM
Treacher, you where glasses!? NERD!
RightWinged on February 4, 2010 at 11:16 AM
My money is on a Kennedy…
D2Boston on February 4, 2010 at 11:19 AM
I guess I’ll be extra careful heading home these days.
And just in case anyone is looking in from certain places… I just me some Barry!
mankai on February 4, 2010 at 11:21 AM
That’ “I just love me some Barry!”
mankai on February 4, 2010 at 11:22 AM
Wait wait … seriously? Dude gets hit by a car and they dinged him for JAYWALKING?!?
Oh that is effing it.
TheUnrepentantGeek on February 4, 2010 at 11:23 AM
Did another guy push Treach onto the street or did that SUV jump that curb?
ted c on February 4, 2010 at 11:25 AM
Hey Jim, get well…
What is the police doing issuing a Jaywalking ticket…good thing they didn’t make him walk a straight line with a broken leg, he would have been cited for being drunk in public.
right2bright on February 4, 2010 at 11:26 AM
I remember seeing a long form for the SAME BIRTH DAY of a baby girl. It is suspicious indeed. I still have the hunch that he won’t be POTUS for the whole term.
ProudPalinFan on February 4, 2010 at 11:26 AM
I had no idea you could get Smart Trip cards at CVS. Go figure.
WordsMatter on February 4, 2010 at 11:27 AM
Jim, I hope you make a complete recovery!
4shoes on February 4, 2010 at 11:29 AM
Hope you feel better, Jim
orfannkyl on February 4, 2010 at 11:30 AM
WHAT THE FU%K?!?!?!
Jim, get well buddy, we got your back!
Seven Percent Solution on February 4, 2010 at 11:31 AM
This is very funny & I am sure JT will appreciate it.
Cindy Munford on February 4, 2010 at 11:32 AM
What does that mean?
sarainitaly on February 4, 2010 at 11:33 AM
Oh. I hadn’t realized it was in DC. That would narrow it down some, wouldn’t it?
Count to 10 on February 4, 2010 at 11:33 AM
Stay strong Treacher…..you are the man and we are with you.
Baxter Greene on February 4, 2010 at 11:34 AM
Justincase – Freerepublic is probably under a denial of service attack from all the Paulhriods (Ron Paul fans) and Weinerbots (rabid fans of Michael Savage) :)
Bleed_thelizard on February 4, 2010 at 11:37 AM
Prayers sent….
Bleed_thelizard on February 4, 2010 at 11:37 AM
This is AWFUL. Thankfully Jim is okay. It could’ve been much worse.
conservative pilgrim on February 4, 2010 at 11:39 AM
Not insult – tactics: “Sorry, we’re not allowed to do anything. Mr. Treacher was in the wrong.”
eeyore on February 4, 2010 at 11:40 AM
Get well, Jim! They told me if I voted for McCain, political opponents would be kneecapped by secret service agents in hit and run accidents. . . and they were right.
pt on February 4, 2010 at 11:40 AM
I guess he doesn’t make enough money (yet) to sic the IRS on him, so a hit and run will have to do.
Get well soon, Jim, with your wit and sass intact!
PattyJ on February 4, 2010 at 11:41 AM
DC is a supremely dysfunctional city. If not for the fact that it’s the nations capital, it would pretty much be a third world country. The only thing they truly do effciently in DC is ticket cars for parking and moving violations. Oh, and also theya are super efficient at mailing out tickets for traffic light camera violations.
WordsMatter on February 4, 2010 at 11:42 AM
Tell them that the payment for your ticket is sitting in the hospital bedpan. Get ‘er while its hot!
ted c on February 4, 2010 at 11:43 AM
Get well soon, Jim.
ScottMcC on February 4, 2010 at 11:45 AM
jaywalking? was there proof of that? how about a summons for crossing a double yellow line b/c his leg was sprawled across the street. unreal. i hope they had some of those crazy red light cameras or maybe a business nearby had security cameras that captured the incident?
anna on February 4, 2010 at 11:46 AM
sounds like nyc! bloomberg’s economic plan= ticket til it hurts.
anna on February 4, 2010 at 11:48 AM
This is not an act of bi-partisanship President DeathStarCare has been touting! You know the driver is going to blame Boooosh! Take care Jim and wishing you a very speedy, and complete recovery.
freeus on February 4, 2010 at 11:48 AM
So is there any street cams in the area that could caight the action
ConservativePartyNow on February 4, 2010 at 11:52 AM
Bummer about your specs, even worse about your knee. Hey, at least you didn’t crack your grill. Now, it’s all about rehab dude. Get started as soon as they say you’re ready.
The Race Card on February 4, 2010 at 11:53 AM
Sounds like they are johnny on the spot with jaywalking violations. And it’s probably a good bust when you think about it, Jim was still laying in the street after that light had changed…
JusDreamin on February 4, 2010 at 11:53 AM
Dude!Get better soon Treach.
bitsy on February 4, 2010 at 11:53 AM
Where was Rick Sanchez at the time?
agmartin on February 4, 2010 at 11:54 AM
Talk about taking one for the team!!!!
Prayers for a complete recovery, Jim.
Jvette on February 4, 2010 at 11:55 AM
Get well Jim!
csdeven on February 4, 2010 at 11:55 AM
If this was Secret Service, remember, WE PUNCH BACK TWICE AS HARD!
fossten on February 4, 2010 at 11:58 AM
Of course they issued a citation to Jim, now the SS can deny any wrong doing and Jim gets screwed once again.
Ya don’t think when they called it in someone talked to someone who made sure the SS was taken care of?
Jim needs to get himself some of that Gov’ment money.
Rbastid on February 4, 2010 at 11:59 AM
No. 1 – I wish you a fast and complete recovery.
No. 2. – Keep us posted!
diogenes on February 4, 2010 at 12:00 PM
Dammit, Jim, I’m a teabagger, not a doctor.
Get well soon. And SUE, SUE like there’s no tomorrow!!
misterpeasea on February 4, 2010 at 12:02 PM
Ya know, when I was learning to drive, it was pounded into my head that a pedestrian — even a pedestrian breaking the law — has the right of way. Your car is a ton or more of steel, moving faster than a human can run; the pedestrian is nothing compared to that. It’s the driver’s job to keep from hitting the pedestrian.
I don’t think there was a conspiracy behind Treacher getting hit, but there sure as heck was behind the driver not being cited. In fact, digging around turned up a few stories about DC increasing fines for failure to yield to pedestrians.
And, DC law, 2201.11:
The driver should be nailed to the wall, the police who let him off should be fired and barred from ever working in law enforcement again.
Crawford on February 4, 2010 at 12:04 PM
Thought’s and prayers buddy :)
get well soon.
Hope they catch the guy!
FontanaConservative on February 4, 2010 at 12:09 PM
Prayers are being said.
Shiny_Tiara on February 4, 2010 at 12:10 PM
It’s unfathomable to me that the feds might be deliberately targeting conservative media figures, and not being a conspiracy enthusiast I’d normally hesitate to put that kind of spin on things. Yet after what happened to Michael Yon and others, and now Jim Treacher, it sure makes my mind go places that I really don’t like at all.
Jim’s in my thoughts and prayers! A broken knee is one of the more horrendously painful fractures. Ugh.
KendraWilder on February 4, 2010 at 12:14 PM
Keep us updated on this.
David Shane on February 4, 2010 at 12:16 PM
Jim,
Take care of yourself and get better. We need you alive and well.
Cap’n Ed,
Don’t be surprised by the turn of events. What you have seen is the nature of the DC Police: they will never, I repeat, never catch who did it, but they will cite the victim for whatever reason, even though the victim is innocent.
I know that of which I speak. My husband and I lived in the DC area over ten years ago. He was taking his parents to Union Station for their train ride back to CT when he made a right turn to the turning lane before an intersection. At that precise moment, someone in a Toyota was speeding in that turning lane and then hit him right on the back passenger door – where my mother-in-law was seating. She was fine, but when my husband asked that man for his license, registration and insurance, the man answered with every curse in the Spanish language, which my husband knew. (He had great teachers on that. ;-) ) The man cursed some more, jumped into his car, and drove away. (To this day, we suspect he was here illegally, which we believe was the reason why DC police never pursued him for it.)
The worst part was that DC police cited my husband for making that turn (on that turning lane!) and asserted that the man “had control of the lane.” What?!? DC police even said so to our insurance company, which took no time to rise our premiums, even after repeated appeals from us. Needless to say, we tried as much as we could never to drive into DC if we wanted to keep our sanity. And when we moved here to TX, we switched to another car insurance as soon as we could.
DC Police is just a symptom of a big problem: the DC area (and I mean NoVA, DC and MD) has become nothing but a fiefdom. DC police will never cite a Congresscritter or member of the Executive branch, but the lower-working ants in the area will never see a bit of justice. Sure, maybe the DC Police have better fish to fry, but they will never cite or arrest someone with the connections to get away with it. And I can assure you that, in our current times, they will NEVER heap Hell upon the people who broke Jim Treacher’s knee – if they have anything to do with the Secret Service or anyone close enough to the big honchos there.
Because, of course, remember – Their Man is there!
newton on February 4, 2010 at 12:21 PM
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