Actor Dick Van Patten (Republican) Accused in Possible Hit & Run Crash

[Ian David]

<snip>

The actor was involved in a collision in Los Angeles when he was driving his BMW in San Fernando Valley and struck the back of another vehicle.

According to authorities Van Patten looked for the other vehicle and did not see it, and left the scene of the accident without exchanging information. The woman driving the other vehicle had pulled into a gas station where she telephoned police.

It is unclear whether or not the actor abandoned his vehicle and fled on foot, or whether he drove away. But Van Patten claims he drove to the Santa Anita race track, where according to his representative, Jeff Ballard, he can be found; and the only place he runs is down the race track stretch when his horses win.

Police at the scene spoke with Van Patten’s son after they were unable to locate the actor, and were considering hit and run charges. The police at the scene did decide after speaking with the actor’s son to allow the insurance companies to handle the collision.

More:
http://www.lawfuel.com/show-release.asp?ID=24742

See also:

Dick Van Patten , 81 actor
Political Contributions
http://www.newsmeat.com/celebrity_political_donations/Dick_Van_Patten.php


"Exchanging insurance information is for the little people, darling."


See prior thread:

Utah (GOP) Senate majority leader (Killpack) arrested on suspicion of DUI
Fri Jan-15-10 04:07 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4227076

Why do they let Republicans drive???

[EmeraldCityGrl]

1. after speaking to his son?

If this was an average citizen there would be a warrant out for there arrest. Amazing how agreeable the cops are when it's a celebrity
or politician.

[Ian David]

2. Yeah, I kinda noticed that, too. n/t

[vadawg]

4. i wouldnt have gotten a warrant for this one either, no one was hurt, minor damage

one of the drivers pulled into a gas station, the other said he couldnt see the other vehicle involved, seems like an everyday no paperwork crash..

on edit, unless there is something else not stated here i wouldnt have probable cause, only thing might be the hit and run but if driver 1 pulled away and driver 2 said he couldnt find the driver 1 then id have a problem convincing a judge..

[hyphenate]

8. Ever see Beverly Hills Cop?

The police in Arcadia, California, where Santa Anita is, make the BH cops look like mannerless, tactless morons in comparison. Arcadia is an extremely well off area, and I can believe that they were that polite.

Though this raises a couple of other questions. How did the cops find van Patten's son? If he "fled on foot" how confused are people on whether he left his car behind at the scene, or if he drove away? And again, how did they locate his son? Had the woman copied over the license plate on the car she believed hit her?

[Sebastian Doyle]

3. If there's anything more dangerous than a drunk driver

...it's an 81 year old drunk driver :scared:

Take his fucking car keys now!

[EmeraldCityGrl]

5. We'll never know if he was drunk

because the police felt it wasn't important enough to talk to him.
I'd be ok with this if there wasn't a double standard. People that
need a break never seem to get it.

I quess the cops in CA. are more laid back than the cops in WA.

[The Gunslinger]

6. 8 (gin and tonics) is enough

[smalll]

7. Ooh you beat me to it!

Eight is enough! :toast:

[LeftyMom]

9. My cats love his pet food.

:shrug:

[freeplessinseattle]

10. mine too-and I've seen Van Patten eat it on tv to show how

wonderful it is. Seriously-he had the reporter eating it, too, straight out of the can (not what had inspired me to buy it, btw). Maybe he was drunk when he did that, too.