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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How awful! On the one hand, it’s fortunate that it wasn’t a whole lot worse. On the other hand, knees never heal up right. Awesome of Tucker to track down the driver and I hope the arrogant bastard is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Godspeed, JT!!

califcon on February 4, 2010 at 12:21 PM

Crawford on February 4, 2010 at 12:04 PM

Well said.

OneGyT on February 4, 2010 at 12:22 PM

How do you just happen to get hit by a secret service vehicle?

How do you just happen to even be in the proximity of a secret service vehicle?

And if it was Indeed a secret service vehicle, why would they flee the scene?

hmm

Thune on February 4, 2010 at 12:23 PM

Best to Jim from HotAir’s most notorious troll.

LibTired on February 4, 2010 at 12:23 PM

Am I wrong for my initial thought was that this was a botched hit?

- The Cat

MirCat on February 4, 2010 at 12:28 PM

Tucker also talked to the driver today, who refused to discuss his employer.

Ummm…why isn’t the driver under arrest?

RepubChica on February 4, 2010 at 10:30 AM

Yes, and if Tucker knows the identity of the driver, then presumably the police do too. If police know that, then I imagine they also know who’s his employer.

The driver gets a pass and Jim gets the ticket? Hmmmm…

petefrt on February 4, 2010 at 12:30 PM

Am I wrong for my initial thought was that this was a botched hit?

- The Cat

MirCat on February 4, 2010 at 12:28 PM

They’re sending a message.

pseudonominus on February 4, 2010 at 12:30 PM

Keep an eye on the Daily Caller — this story has gotten stranger and may get stranger still.

Remember the cat in Clinton’s time…this story has huge and complicated legs…Breitbart and Carlson, with Fox will see to it.

Best to you JT. You’re a treasure.

Schadenfreude on February 4, 2010 at 12:35 PM

Does Rachael Maddow have an alibi?

Blacklake on February 4, 2010 at 12:36 PM

LAME! Pun not intended.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery for Treacher. He’s an asset to the blogosphere.

NTWR on February 4, 2010 at 12:44 PM

Best wishes, Mr. Treacher. Get some rest and then come back swinging. Media Matters has you on their radar now (right where you want them, as “they” say).

Tom_OC on February 4, 2010 at 12:47 PM

God bless you Jim; always liked your work.
God D@MN whoever did this, and if it really was SS (I find that hard to accept) or any leftist stooge doing it intentionally (I’d believe that easily), Well, two can play at that sort of game.

LegendHasIt on February 4, 2010 at 12:51 PM

Hurry up and get a lawyer or private investigator to secure all the security camera video feeds in the area surrounding the crime. If it really was the Secret Service or other government vehicle, you’re in a race against them for the tapes.

OxyCon on February 4, 2010 at 12:52 PM

Hold on, someone’s knocking at the d

Bishop on February 4, 2010 at 10:58 AM
nice knowing you bishop…but..wait there’s someone at my doo…too?

ted c on February 4, 2010 at 10:59 AM

Good knowing you guys…hold on, someone’s ringing the b…

BlueStateBilly on February 4, 2010 at 12:52 PM

where was AP last night? Was he trying to whack Tucker and got Treach instead?

Did the tag on the SUV say “HMPBOT”?

..//..

ted c on February 4, 2010 at 12:53 PM

Damn, Sean! speedy recovery.
SS drives recklessly, hits pedestrian, leaves scene of accident ? Jail time.

runner on February 4, 2010 at 12:54 PM

Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

ladyingray on February 4, 2010 at 12:55 PM

Was the driver talking on a cellphone at the time?

Get well soon Teach. Enjoy but don’t abuse the pain medications.

Mallard T. Drake on February 4, 2010 at 12:55 PM

NRO picking up some interesting tweetson Jaywalkergate.

JusDreamin on February 4, 2010 at 1:04 PM

Get well Jim. If you need knee surgery, go to the Greater Washington Orthopaedic Group, P.A. in Montgomery County. That is a great firm. It’s worth checking out.

BottomLine5 on February 4, 2010 at 1:05 PM

Just want to add my prayers for Mr. Treacher. Hope you have a full recovery.

fourdeucer on February 4, 2010 at 1:05 PM

Get well soon, Treach. You are in my prayers.

pugwriter on February 4, 2010 at 1:19 PM

Thanks for posting this Ed.

Get well soon Treach. We miss you and we need you.

Jaywalking…really….really D.C….really?

russcote on February 4, 2010 at 1:21 PM

Get well soon!

Sekhmet on February 4, 2010 at 1:22 PM

ProudPalinFan on February 4, 2010 at 11:26 AM

Any chance you could find that for me? That could help a lot.

Also, did anybody here ever ask to see microfilm of the Honolulu Advertiser for Aug 16, 1961 last year?

justincase on February 4, 2010 at 1:26 PM

Wow, just weird. Makes you wonder if it was on purpose. Get well soon Treach!

clearbluesky on February 4, 2010 at 1:26 PM

Get well Jim!

alohapundit on February 4, 2010 at 1:29 PM

KendraWilder on February 4, 2010 at 12:14 PM

I had forgotten about Michael Yon. Ridiculous.

justincase on February 4, 2010 at 1:33 PM

Treach was obviously getting too close to the birth certificate ; )

Get well soon, big guy.

The Ugly American on February 4, 2010 at 1:41 PM

Get well Jim! Sending you positive vibes thru the airwaves all the way from Canada :)

AlexB on February 4, 2010 at 1:46 PM

I’m so glad I’m in Vegas, blowing my money and not home in NoVa. DC is the real “sin city.” Get well quickly, Treacher. I enjoy your posts and tweets.

jintrabar on February 4, 2010 at 1:54 PM

Get well Treacher. Weird story. Sounds like The Matrix; you are Neo and Agents are after you.

Anyway, in all seriousness, if all you got was a broken bone; you really did dodge a bullet.

Geochelone on February 4, 2010 at 2:05 PM

Bummer.

Best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery, Treacher!

Nichevo on February 4, 2010 at 2:12 PM

Get well, Treach – I’m so sorry this happened to you. I hope you and Tucker can get to the bottom of this.

capitalist piglet on February 4, 2010 at 2:12 PM

This has probably already been noticed, but it’s on Treach’s page over there:

UPDATE 2:05pm:
The Daily Caller has been told by federal law enforcement sources that the Secret Service was not involved, and is working to confirm that driver of the vehicle which struck Jim Treacher was a State Department security employee.

capitalist piglet on February 4, 2010 at 2:14 PM

Jim – I wish you a full recovery and a boat load of “economic justice” from the twitball that did this to you.

Laura in Maryland on February 4, 2010 at 2:15 PM

capitalist piglet on February 4, 2010 at 2:14 PM

State Department? So Hillary tried to Vince Foster our Treacher but failed. hmmm.

I only jest cause Jim was released and will be OK, thankfully.

Geochelone on February 4, 2010 at 2:18 PM

However, the police added insult to injury by issuing Jim a citation for jaywalking,

Wait, what?
Because he was lying in the street, unable to move because of being hit by a car?

Count to 10 on February 4, 2010 at 2:21 PM

Y’know, there’s a black helicopter that keeps circling over my apart

kingsjester on February 4, 2010 at 2:25 PM

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.

Ex Blackwater?

MB4 on February 4, 2010 at 2:28 PM

Wait, what?
Because he was lying in the street, unable to move because of being hit by a car?

That’s DC. They’ll drop it if challenged though. Stupid and cowardly.

Haunches on February 4, 2010 at 2:32 PM

he SUV was driven by an employee in the State Department’s security apparatus,

In-house or contractor? Blackwater? DynCorp International? Triple Canopy?

MB4 on February 4, 2010 at 2:32 PM

Y’know, there’s a black helicopter that keeps circling over my apart

kingsjester on February 4, 2010 at 2:25 PM

don’t worry until the fastropes hit the roof and a hole gets blown in your door. Then is when you need to worry…/

ted c on February 4, 2010 at 2:33 PM

Holy COW!

Jim, I hope you are doing well… at least on the meds. And get a lawyer, I think Obama is trying to kill you!

upinak on February 4, 2010 at 2:35 PM

If DC has half as many cameras as we do, they should have everything on tape…at the bottom of the Potomac with the birth certificate and our liberty,.

Laura in Maryland on February 4, 2010 at 2:35 PM

Get well, Jim and the best of luck to you.

Mirimichi on February 4, 2010 at 2:36 PM

In-house or contractor? Blackwater? DynCorp International? Triple Canopy?

MB4 on February 4, 2010 at 2:32 PM

Hillary and the pantsuit mafia. Don’t ever, ever, EVER make fun of her cankles.

Laura in Maryland on February 4, 2010 at 2:37 PM

Get well, Jim!
I did get a ticket once after I T-boned someone who had swerved over into my land from the other side of the highway.
My insurance had lapsed & while I was in the hospital, the police visited me & gave me a $150 ticket.
So I guess a jay walking ticket isn’t as bad as that, but it certainly is insulting.
A lot of cops really suck.
God complex & all.

Badger40 on February 4, 2010 at 2:38 PM

Into my LANE

Badger40 on February 4, 2010 at 2:38 PM

Get better soon, Treach!

Is the WH now targeting conservative bloggers?

Mr Purple on February 4, 2010 at 2:39 PM

State Department? So Hillary tried to Vince Foster our Treacher but failed. hmmm.

I only jest cause Jim was released and will be OK, thankfully.

Geochelone on February 4, 2010 at 2:18 PM

Somewhat O/T, but did you hear Anthony Young’s veiled reference to Vince Foster last night on Hannity? He said that the last time he saw Edwards, Edwards was acting strange and had asked him to meet him. Edwards was constantly checking the mirrors in his car and Young said he realized that no one knew where he was and thought of Vince Foster.

Strange that you would mention that here today.

Jvette on February 4, 2010 at 2:40 PM

I think it’s a bit out of line for them to issue him a citation when the driver ran from the scene.

Call me crazy.

HondaV65 on February 4, 2010 at 2:43 PM

I think it’s a bit out of line for them to issue him a citation when the driver ran from the scene.

Call me crazy.

HondaV65 on February 4, 2010 at 2:43 PM

Stay where you are. The black helicopters will be there in
5..4..3..2

Laura in Maryland on February 4, 2010 at 2:47 PM

Was this in D.C.? If that’s the case it’s not much of a strech to get hit by anything around here. Worst traffice and driver’s in the country. Big black vehicles are dime a dozen also. That’s why I always use the crosswalks and follow the lights because most of these yahoo’s don’t pay attention.

gator70 on February 4, 2010 at 2:49 PM

Was this in D.C.? If that’s the case it’s not much of a strech to get hit by anything around here. Worst traffice and driver’s in the country. Big black vehicles are dime a dozen also. That’s why I always use the crosswalks and follow the lights because most of these yahoo’s don’t pay attention.

gator70 on February 4, 2010 at 2:49 PM

Did you read the details of the story?

Jvette on February 4, 2010 at 2:52 PM

Has Treach posted some stuff that’s rough on Hillary lately?

ted c on February 4, 2010 at 2:54 PM

ted c on February 4, 2010 at 2:54 PM

Don’t mention the H word. Ann will show up and be concerned.

kingsjester on February 4, 2010 at 3:00 PM

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.

Wait — that’s worse than it being Secret Service, isn’t it?

Daggett on February 4, 2010 at 3:02 PM

Is Little Ricky Sanchez working for State Department’s security?

Where was Little Ricky Sanchez last night?

DSchoen on February 4, 2010 at 3:04 PM

Don’t they try to make their vehicles as nondescript as possible?
Count to 10 on February 4, 2010

Ya! Just like “unmarked police cars”

DSchoen on February 4, 2010 at 3:05 PM

Just saw this…hope you will be feeling better, I know your knee won’t for a while…
Hope those bast*rds are made to pay…but this does look “fishy”. Didn’t Dear Leader just tell us the other night not to read blogs or listen to cable tv?

lovingmyUSA on February 4, 2010 at 3:07 PM

Oh, God – it’s even worse than getting targeted by the Chicago gang – he’s being targeted by the Clintons! And you know what they say – they always get their man!

Queen0fCups on February 4, 2010 at 3:17 PM

ted c on February 4, 2010 at 2:54 PM

I don’t thinks so but he tweeked Ms Rachel Maddow a bit the other day and Media Matters was not amused.

Cindy Munford on February 4, 2010 at 3:19 PM

People have been getting run over by Metro buses, now we’ve got to be on the lookout for government SUVs too?

4shoes on February 4, 2010 at 3:27 PM

Is Little Ricky Sanchez working for State Department’s security?

Where was Little Ricky Sanchez last night?

DSchoen on February 4, 2010 at 3:04 PM

I’m sorry do you mean L’il Ricky “leave ‘em where they lay” Sanchez?

Blacksmith8 on February 4, 2010 at 3:38 PM

Godspeed Jim Treacher.

State Department, huh. Hmmmm. I suppose it could have been worse.

My collie says:

Only if Hillary releases the flying monkeys.

CyberCipher on February 4, 2010 at 3:39 PM

Jim has witnesses, and says he was safely in the crosswalk, when a vehicle made an illegal left turn, and HE gets the citation? What are they going to give the driver? A party?

Something isn’t right here.

capejasmine on February 4, 2010 at 3:43 PM

Is the State Dept also immune from lawsuits? Send Treacher an ambulance chaser!

Shay on February 4, 2010 at 3:43 PM

Rush keeps saying he believes the Clintons are prepping for a run in 2012. Is it possible that Obama is ticked off by this, and would try and frame Hillary, or someone in her department, to make her look bad, and, or get rid of her? hmmm.

I know, I know. I’m going all conspiracy here. LOL

capejasmine on February 4, 2010 at 3:46 PM

Prayers for the self-described agnostic JT!
`
But let this be a warning to him: stay on the sidewalk and drop down to pay homage when a member of The One’s Administration needs to use the road, or next time, he may not be so lucky . . .

Adjoran on February 4, 2010 at 3:48 PM

Vincent Foster, that’s all I’m saying.

Jimmy Doolittle on February 4, 2010 at 3:54 PM

Jvette on February 4, 2010 at 2:40 PM

Saw Young say that on Hannity last night too, and it gave me the creeps. No doubt about it, he’s keeping the tapes/calls, etc to ensure his own safety.

linlithgow on February 4, 2010 at 4:07 PM

kingsjester on February 4, 2010 at 3:00 PM

+1

Laura in Maryland on February 4, 2010 at 4:09 PM

Nothing worse than a broken knee! Ouch! Wishing you a speedy recovery, Jim.
But, what am I not getting here? Last time I checked, leaving the scene of an accident was like, a crime or something???
Naw, I must have been misinformationized.

Chewy the Lab on February 4, 2010 at 4:10 PM

Because he was lying in the street, unable to move because of being hit by a car?

Count to 10 on February 4, 2010 at 2:21 PM

Nah. I suspect the impact conveniently knocked him out of the crosswalk. /s

And since it appears that there wasn’t any ‘skid marks’ to back up Jim’s story . . . after all, what do ‘eye-witnesses’ know.

CPT. Charles on February 4, 2010 at 4:20 PM

A peasant obstructed a government official. I’m surprised the peasant wasn’t also charged for staining the bumper.

JellyToast on February 4, 2010 at 4:22 PM

Hillary! I knew it.

- The Cat

P.S. I mean Clinton and ‘accidents’ ‘hits’ ‘etc’ are just part of the territory.

MirCat on February 4, 2010 at 4:24 PM

Has the driver been charged with hit-and-run and leaving the scene? If not, this should be pursued by every available avenue.

Godspeed, Treach!

hillbillyjim on February 4, 2010 at 4:25 PM

Best troll-buster evah, by the way.

hillbillyjim on February 4, 2010 at 4:25 PM

Imagine the hue and crie that we would see and hear if this had happened under Condi’s State Department and the blogger/victim had been Andrew Sullivan or Markos Mouliatis (sp?).

The trolls at DU would have a case of the vapors.

molonlabe28 on February 4, 2010 at 4:26 PM

A peasant obstructed a government official. I’m surprised the peasant wasn’t also charged for staining the bumper.

JellyToast on February 4, 2010 at 4:22 PM

No, that would have been if John Edwards were driving. Ya remember that part in The Tale of Two Americas.

- The Cat

MirCat on February 4, 2010 at 4:26 PM

the police added insult to injury by issuing Jim a citation for jaywalking

No way! That just doesn’t happen in normal society. I wouldn’t even trust the surgeon at this point.

Buddahpundit on February 4, 2010 at 4:27 PM

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.

Of course that’s the cover story. . .

I actually do believe it was an accident, but it’s fun to play the paranoia game.

rbj on February 4, 2010 at 4:30 PM

Dang!
Hang in there Treach!
Prayers for ya.

5u93rm4n on February 4, 2010 at 4:31 PM

I am wondering if there are any traffic cameras or security cameras from nearby businesses that might have this incident captured. If so, how long until they are accidentally erased/taped over?

hillbillyjim on February 4, 2010 at 4:31 PM

I sure did not know the State Department had private “security.”

Who are they and why are they driving around all night in big black SUVs and running away from accidents?

PattyJ on February 4, 2010 at 4:31 PM

Well….at least he’s alive.

The DC is a good site.

therightwinger on February 4, 2010 at 4:35 PM

struck Jim Treacher was a State Department security employee.

Perhaps one of the new imported Muslim helpers unfamiliar with motor vehicles.

BL@KBIRD on February 4, 2010 at 4:38 PM

Oh, boy! The State Dept! Goody!

My boss in DC used to work at the State Department many years ago. She used to tell me about the boss at her department and his secretary, who used to take three hours for lunchtime… together. I guess nothing has changed there!

Their total indifference definitely deserves the “foggy” in Foggy Bottom.

newton on February 4, 2010 at 4:40 PM

Hold on, someone’s knocking at the d

Bishop on February 4, 2010 at 10:58 AM
nice knowing you bishop…but..wait there’s someone at my doo…too?

ted c on February 4, 2010 at 10:59 AM
Good knowing you guys…hold on, someone’s ringing the b…

BlueStateBilly on February 4, 2010 at 12:52 PM

Where did everyone go?

Palin-Steele

TN Mom on February 4, 2010 at 4:42 PM

I had my doubts about a Secret Service agent fleeing from the scene–they are pros–but employees of other federal departments would not surprise me.

Godspeed with your recovery.

mwbri on February 4, 2010 at 4:46 PM

Are there charges pending against the State Dept dirver for hit & run??

Take care, Jim Treacher!

TN Mom on February 4, 2010 at 4:47 PM

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