On September 10, 2009 my cousin Jeff Thomson was pulling a mobile home on the interstate when his hitch broke. He pulled his rig over to the side of the off ramp on the interstate and got out of his truck. Jeff walked back to talk to the man driving the little truck with the "Wide Load" sign on it. The man went to the back of the truck while Jeff stayed by the side, front of the truck. A drunk driver,a Mr. John Edward Hicks of Huntersville, North Carolina driving a Toyota Highlander, hit Jeff and the truck at full speed. The drunk driver, Hicks, then took off. Hicks was spotted about 40-45 minutes later headed west-the other way, never going back to the scene. He left Jeff there to die. Jeff was flown to Charleston General Hospital with life threatening injuries, some of which will take many months if not years to heal fully. To this date Jeff has had three surgeries, two the first day and one the next. He still has to have many surgeries to come. As of today Jeff has beat the odds, but he will be in the hospital for a long time to come. Hicks, the drunk driver that hit Jeff was out on bond less than 24 hours after the accident. The law in West Virginia for a non-fatal hit and run is up to one year in jail and no more than a $1000.00 fine. That is not right, while my cousin fights for his life the drunk driver is with his family, going on with life. Jeff will require months if not years of therapy. Help Jeff and his family get the justice they deserve.
* NOTE* Mr. Hicks DID NOT return to the scene of the accident, he was spotted on the other side of the highway headed back west-going back to where he came from 40-45 minutes after the accident occurred. He did not stop at the scene of the crime, he did not stop to see what he had done. If the man that was with Jeff was not there-Jeff would have been left alone to die. The drunk, Hicks, blood alcohol level was at .197, over two times the legal limit in West Virginia. My cousin-7 weeks later has not gone home at all. That is a hit and run-I feel no sorrow for a person that can committ such an act.
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My family and I would like you to sign the petition for Justice for Jeff so we can give a copy to the Governorning bodies including the Legislature of West Virginia. Also to the to the Mayor, and Prosecuting Attorney of the township in which the hit and run occurred. We must let them know that there will be no way that people will stand for someone committing such a devastating act on another human being and just getting a slap on the wrist. We all need to make our communities a safer place to be. Our street, our interstates need to be safe of drunk drivers, to many innocent lives are taken or drastically changed because of someone’s stupidity. If it was someone in your family what kind of justice would you want for them
Links
This is a copy of how the law is written in West Virginia:
Hit and Run Laws West Virginia
a) The driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to or death of any person shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident or as close thereto as possible but shall then forthwith return to and shall remain at the scene of the accident until he or she has complied with the requirements of section three of this article: Provided, That the driver may leave the scene of the accident as may reasonably be necessary for the purpose of rendering assistance to an injured person as required by said section three. Every such stop shall be made without obstructing traffic more than is necessary.
ACCIDENT RESULTING IN DEATH:
(b) Any person violating the provisions of subsection (a) of this section after being involved in an accident resulting in the death of any person is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by confinement in a correctional facility for not more than three years or fined not more than five thousand dollars, or both.
ACCIDENT RESULTING IN PHYSICAL INJURY
(c) Any person violating the provisions of subsection (a) of this section after being involved in an accident resulting in physical injury to any person is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by confinement in a county or regional jail for not more than one year, or fined not more than one thousand dollars, or both.
(d) The commissioner shall revoke the license or permit to drive and any nonresident operating privilege of any person convicted pursuant to the provisions of this section for a period of one year.
Section C of this law pertains to Jeff. This is an insult to anyone who has to go through what Jeff is going through. A slap on the wrist! This law is wrong!
Please take the time to sign this petition. Please help our entire family to help my cousin Jeff, and to help those in the future taken down by such a sensless act. Thank you.
Amy Stanton
Maxine K. signed
just now 
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