AKB/OT: Rock throwing incident while driving....thoughts?

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

Yesterday I was driving to the store on a road right outside of my neighborhood and on the way I spotted three boys (aged from about 5 - 9 years old) standing on a sidewalk next to a cul de sac of homes. I was driving on the side of the road closest to them (so, about 15 feet from them) and talking on my speaker phone with a relative. I saw one of the boys wind up and throw something at the car ahead of me. I didn't know what it was, and by the time I was close to them the same boy threw something at my car and actually hit the rear panel. It was a really loud 'BANG' sound and the person I was talking to thought I was in an accident. I stopped the car, turned around, and saw the boys sprint into the cul de sac. I was able to locate them based on a description provided to the first person I saw and the parents were mortified when I spoke to them. The boys admitted what they did and apologized (the oldest was the culprit). Parents offered to pay for damage (which was enough to dent the panel and scratch through the paint; I saw the rock on the road when I went back to my car and it was the size of a baseball) and I said that was fine. I really wanted to impress upon them that a) if they had aimed a little higher they would have broken my back window, and b) if I had either of my children in the car the situation would have been much worse. Not to mention what would happen if someone with a worse temperament than mine was hit. Anyway, my wife (a lawyer) thought a police report would be necessary, but I talked her down to exchanging information with the father of the boys and getting an estimate for the damage to him so we could work out payment arrangements once we agree on the repair cost.

Anyone have a similar experience? Things work out, not work out? Should I call the police? I did dumb stuff as a kid but nothing as stupid as throwing baseball sized rocks at moving cars.

 

[bmw199]

Yesterday I was driving to the store on a road right outside of my neighborhood and on the way I spotted three boys (aged from about 5 - 9 years old) standing on a sidewalk next to a cul de sac of homes. I was driving on the side of the road closest to them (so, about 15 feet from them) and talking on my speaker phone with a relative. I saw one of the boys wind up and throw something at the car ahead of me. I didn't know what it was, and by the time I was close to them the same boy threw something at my car and actually hit the rear panel. It was a really loud 'BANG' sound and the person I was talking to thought I was in an accident. I stopped the car, turned around, and saw the boys sprint into the cul de sac. I was able to locate them based on a description provided to the first person I saw and the parents were mortified when I spoke to them. The boys admitted what they did and apologized (the oldest was the culprit). Parents offered to pay for damage (which was enough to dent the panel and scratch through the paint; I saw the rock on the road when I went back to my car and it was the size of a baseball) and I said that was fine. I really wanted to impress upon them that a) if they had aimed a little higher they would have broken my back window, and b) if I had either of my children in the car the situation would have been much worse. Not to mention what would happen if someone with a worse temperament than mine was hit. Anyway, my wife (a lawyer) thought a police report would be necessary, but I talked her down to exchanging information with the father of the boys and getting an estimate for the damage to him so we could work out payment arrangements once we agree on the repair cost.

Anyone have a similar experience? Things work out, not work out? Should I call the police? I did dumb stuff as a kid but nothing as stupid as throwing baseball sized rocks at moving cars.

Do you have any friends on the local police force? You could call and just tell them what happened and seek their advice. You can tell them you don't want to start a record for the kid but may need to use that option as leverage if the parents get cold feet. Being how horrible it is I doubt they will not pay you. This could have been so much worse. You might have ultimately saved this kids life.

 

[Pardlion]

Yesterday I was driving to the store on a road right outside of my neighborhood and on the way I spotted three boys (aged from about 5 - 9 years old) standing on a sidewalk next to a cul de sac of homes. I was driving on the side of the road closest to them (so, about 15 feet from them) and talking on my speaker phone with a relative. I saw one of the boys wind up and throw something at the car ahead of me. I didn't know what it was, and by the time I was close to them the same boy threw something at my car and actually hit the rear panel. It was a really loud 'BANG' sound and the person I was talking to thought I was in an accident. I stopped the car, turned around, and saw the boys sprint into the cul de sac. I was able to locate them based on a description provided to the first person I saw and the parents were mortified when I spoke to them. The boys admitted what they did and apologized (the oldest was the culprit). Parents offered to pay for damage (which was enough to dent the panel and scratch through the paint; I saw the rock on the road when I went back to my car and it was the size of a baseball) and I said that was fine. I really wanted to impress upon them that a) if they had aimed a little higher they would have broken my back window, and b) if I had either of my children in the car the situation would have been much worse. Not to mention what would happen if someone with a worse temperament than mine was hit. Anyway, my wife (a lawyer) thought a police report would be necessary, but I talked her down to exchanging information with the father of the boys and getting an estimate for the damage to him so we could work out payment arrangements once we agree on the repair cost.

Anyone have a similar experience? Things work out, not work out? Should I call the police? I did dumb stuff as a kid but nothing as stupid as throwing baseball sized rocks at moving cars.

If these kids were older, I'd consider the police route. At 5 to 9, though, I think I'd let the parents handle it.

 

[Jovialgent]

No similar experience but I think you handled it appropriately.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

Do you have any friends on the local police force? You could call and just tell them what happened and seek their advice. You can tell them you don't want to start a record for the kid but may need to use that option as leverage if the parents get cold feet. Being how horrible it is I doubt they will not pay you. This could have been so much worse. You might have ultimately saved this kids life.

Nah, not really. All my LE friends are Feds . I would have pushed for police intervention if I didn't think the parents would pay for damages. After talking with them for a bit, I think they're happy to pay and keep the police and insurance folks out of it.

 

[ThePennsyOracle]

Nah, not really. All my LE friends are Feds . I would have pushed for police intervention if I didn't think the parents would pay for damages. After talking with them for a bit, I think they're happy to pay and keep the police and insurance folks out of it.

IMO, if you see them do it again, call the police immediately. Hopefully mom and dad can impress upon them the stupidity of their actions.

 

[colt21]

Yesterday I was driving to the store on a road right outside of my neighborhood and on the way I spotted three boys (aged from about 5 - 9 years old) standing on a sidewalk next to a cul de sac of homes. I was driving on the side of the road closest to them (so, about 15 feet from them) and talking on my speaker phone with a relative. I saw one of the boys wind up and throw something at the car ahead of me. I didn't know what it was, and by the time I was close to them the same boy threw something at my car and actually hit the rear panel. It was a really loud 'BANG' sound and the person I was talking to thought I was in an accident. I stopped the car, turned around, and saw the boys sprint into the cul de sac. I was able to locate them based on a description provided to the first person I saw and the parents were mortified when I spoke to them. The boys admitted what they did and apologized (the oldest was the culprit). Parents offered to pay for damage (which was enough to dent the panel and scratch through the paint; I saw the rock on the road when I went back to my car and it was the size of a baseball) and I said that was fine. I really wanted to impress upon them that a) if they had aimed a little higher they would have broken my back window, and b) if I had either of my children in the car the situation would have been much worse. Not to mention what would happen if someone with a worse temperament than mine was hit. Anyway, my wife (a lawyer) thought a police report would be necessary, but I talked her down to exchanging information with the father of the boys and getting an estimate for the damage to him so we could work out payment arrangements once we agree on the repair cost.

Anyone have a similar experience? Things work out, not work out? Should I call the police? I did dumb stuff as a kid but nothing as stupid as throwing baseball sized rocks at moving cars.

Share this story with them

By John Beauge | Special to PennLive

LEWISBURG -- Parole has been denied for two of the young men charged with throwing a rock off an Interstate 80 overpass in Union County in 2014 that critically injured an Ohio school teacher.

Tyler Porter, 21, whose minimum sentence expired last July 3, was refused parole on Jan. 22. Co-defendant Brett Lahr, 22, was denied parole on Feb. 2.

The Board of Probation and Parole stated it denied parole for Porter because it considered him a risk to the community and he has failed to demonstrate motivation for success.

A negative recommendation by Union-Snyder County Judge Michael H. Sholley who sentenced him was another factor, the board said.

Porter, who also was denied parole last June, is serving a sentence of 22 months to 10 years at the Pine Grove state prison.

In Lahr's case, the board's decision cites a negative recommendation from the Corrections Department and the need for him to complete additional programs while in prison.

The board says he, too, is considered a risk to the community and has not demonstration motivation for success.

It notes Lahr's unsatisfactory supervision history after being paroled in 2016 from a sentence of 18 months to 20 years. He was recommitted after being charged with driving under the influence of prescription drugs and four vehicle code violations.

Those charges stemmed from his car striking a utility pole on Route 147 in Upper Paxton Twp. on Dec. 16, 2016.

According to the board, the earliest Porter could again be considered for parole is June and for Lahr, who is at the Coal Twp. state prison, it is August.

Those two, Lahr's younger brother Dylan, 21, and Keefer L. McGee, 21, all from the New Columbia area, pleaded either guilty or no contest to charges from the 2014 rock-throwing incident.

Dylan Lahr, who Union County District Attorney D. Peter Johnson accused of being the one that threw the 4-1/2-pound rock, is ineligible at this time to apply for parole because the minimum of his 54-month to 24-year sentence does not expire until next March.

McGee was granted parole in August 2016 after he served the 111/2-month minimum of his sentence. He had cooperated with authorities.

Sharon Budd was injured just before midnight on July 10, 2014, when a rock thrown from an overpass about two miles west of Route 15 smashed the windshield striking her in the face.

Budd, the front seat passenger, suffered severe brain juries and lost an eye. The Uniontown, Ohio, school teacher underwent numerous surgeries at Geisinger Medical Center near Danville.

"She never will be able to be alone," family spokesperson Rhonda Williams said Monday.

Husband Randy Budd had posted on Facebook his wife will be considered disabled the rest of her life. He killed himself in 2016, which friends have blamed in part on his wife's situation.

The rock-throwing happened as his wife and daughter Kaylee were accompanying him on a business trip to Somerset, N.J. Neither the daughter, who was driving, nor Randy Budd, who was in the back seat, was injured in the incident.

Kaylee Budd graduated from the University of Akron in December and is working in Columbus, Ohio, Williams said. Two of the other Budd children, Luke and James, are getting married this year, she said. James Budd is in the family home helping care for his mother, she said.

 

[Cletus11]

if the parents said they would pay, i would give them a chance to do it. you could always do a police report if they don't pay. you should be able to get an estimate pretty quick to get to the parents and ask for some earnest money right away to gauge if they are going to pay.

 

[psuro]

1. You did the right thing by going back and chasing down the kids and speaking to their parents.
2. Whatever you agree to, get it in writing - your wife is a lawyer, so I am sure she will be in agreement with that.
3. After it's all said and done - car fixed, etc. I think you sit down with the kids and explain to them what the ramifications could have been had they hit a window or if someone else was driving. You make good points about that. But, don't do it now - do it after everything is fixed and you have had some time to calm down. Impress upon them that this is a criminal act, and that you could have called the police, but didn't. Remain calm and sincere.

 

[Obliviax]

Agree with the 'ro, Pardlion and Jovialgent. You handled it perfectly. You put some scare into them, informed the parents and got them to commit to pay. I'd get that in writing. And, if I saw them again call the police. But your actions were appropriate and measured.

 

[mrtailgate]

1. You did the right thing by going back and chasing down the kids and speaking to their parents.
2. Whatever you agree to, get it in writing - your wife is a lawyer, so I am sure she will be in agreement with that.
3. After it's all said and done - car fixed, etc. I think you sit down with the kids and explain to them what the ramifications could have been had they hit a window or if someone else was driving. You make good points about that. But, don't do it now - do it after everything is fixed and you have had some time to calm down. Impress upon them that this is a criminal act, and that you could have called the police, but didn't. Remain calm and sincere.

Excellent advice.

 

[MontereyLion]

As a precaution to the parents backing out of the agreement write down everything you can remember about what happened and all the information you might need in the future. Sign and date it in case you need to go after them or their insurance company later. This is good advice with any incident you are involved in. Many years ago, working retail, an older man came into our store, slipped into a cart at the entrance. I was manager in charge that day and wrote an incident report. He seemed ok. Two years later his insurance company sued our company. I had to give a deposition. Seems a week later he was in a serious car accident and died. Insurance company said when he slipped in our store he hit his head which later led to his causing the accident and dying. The incident report gave me very good information such that after the deposition the insurance company changed their mind and dropped the suit. Had I not had the report I wrote that jogged my memory, I think things would have been different. My point is while your memory is fresh...write it down. You never know when you will need a memory boost. How the hell did Joe remember anything 9-10 years later?

 

[baircub1!]

Yesterday I was driving to the store on a road right outside of my neighborhood and on the way I spotted three boys (aged from about 5 - 9 years old) standing on a sidewalk next to a cul de sac of homes. I was driving on the side of the road closest to them (so, about 15 feet from them) and talking on my speaker phone with a relative. I saw one of the boys wind up and throw something at the car ahead of me. I didn't know what it was, and by the time I was close to them the same boy threw something at my car and actually hit the rear panel. It was a really loud 'BANG' sound and the person I was talking to thought I was in an accident. I stopped the car, turned around, and saw the boys sprint into the cul de sac. I was able to locate them based on a description provided to the first person I saw and the parents were mortified when I spoke to them. The boys admitted what they did and apologized (the oldest was the culprit). Parents offered to pay for damage (which was enough to dent the panel and scratch through the paint; I saw the rock on the road when I went back to my car and it was the size of a baseball) and I said that was fine. I really wanted to impress upon them that a) if they had aimed a little higher they would have broken my back window, and b) if I had either of my children in the car the situation would have been much worse. Not to mention what would happen if someone with a worse temperament than mine was hit. Anyway, my wife (a lawyer) thought a police report would be necessary, but I talked her down to exchanging information with the father of the boys and getting an estimate for the damage to him so we could work out payment arrangements once we agree on the repair cost.

Anyone have a similar experience? Things work out, not work out? Should I call the police? I did dumb stuff as a kid but nothing as stupid as throwing baseball sized rocks at moving cars.

I would have checked in with the add about having a local cop stop by to talk to the kids in a “ scared straight” way.

Maybe it’s me or a generational thing but there seems to be little respect these days.

We would throw snowballs at cars.. run like hell... but rocks ?

Sharing a my own story from last night...a couple of the fathers took our boys for dinner at a sports bar last night after we won a big Cup game ( Soccer)...

Kids at 11 & 12... boys sat at a separate table while we had a couple beers... unknowingly one of the kids was horsing around and started bending the silverware.. ( not expensive stuff but not the point)..

The COOK comes out ( whom the Dad s know because we stop by for beers every so often) with the bent fork.

Big guy... tattoos... angry looking... and goes to our boys wanting to know “ who the hell” is ruining his silverware ?

Dads watched... not wanting to interfere because it was fascinating to watch the fear in the kids eyes when it wasn't their “ parent” scolding them.

They all went in an apologized personally as a group afterwards.. they never ratted on the kid who bent the forks... but went in together.

Having a little fear and respect., is not a bad thing...IMO..

 

[ivan brunetti]

When I was a kid we would occasionally throw snowballs at cars. That is dangerous enough! Hit somebody's windshield and they could easily turn into an oncoming car. Baseball sized rocks is an entirely different league though.

I think you did the right thing. As long as the parents are willing to pay, no need to get the police involved.

 

[Cletus11]

i don't think kids that are 6-9 years old are old enough to really know right from wrong in that grand of sense. They probably knew throwing rocks at cars is bad. but they are not old enough to understand a snowball versus a little rock versus a big rock and the difference and issues that can occur between the three.

 

[psuro]

i don't think kids that are 6-9 years old are old enough to really know right from wrong in that grand of sense. They probably knew throwing rocks at cars is bad. but they are not old enough to understand a snowball versus a little rock versus a big rock and the difference and issues that can occur between the three.

I bet they do now.

 

[emertmakeshiteup]

There was a cliff like location above a road in a park. At the end of that road HS kids would park to do what you do at that age. When 12/13, nights we "slept out" we would patiently wait for a car to come back down and egg it. It was pretty much impossible to get caught. I guess that experience is why I was highly recruited by a lurp (LRRP) ambush team in nam!

 

[ClarkstonMark]

a year or so ago some 13 year old kids through rocks at cars on an overpass on I75. They hit a car and the driver was killed.
Share this as well.
https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/20...ill-pending-in-deadly-i-75-rock-throwing.html

They plead guilty to manslaughter after being charged with murder.

 

[ga.lion]

Yesterday I was driving to the store on a road right outside of my neighborhood and on the way I spotted three boys (aged from about 5 - 9 years old) standing on a sidewalk next to a cul de sac of homes. I was driving on the side of the road closest to them (so, about 15 feet from them) and talking on my speaker phone with a relative. I saw one of the boys wind up and throw something at the car ahead of me. I didn't know what it was, and by the time I was close to them the same boy threw something at my car and actually hit the rear panel. It was a really loud 'BANG' sound and the person I was talking to thought I was in an accident. I stopped the car, turned around, and saw the boys sprint into the cul de sac. I was able to locate them based on a description provided to the first person I saw and the parents were mortified when I spoke to them. The boys admitted what they did and apologized (the oldest was the culprit). Parents offered to pay for damage (which was enough to dent the panel and scratch through the paint; I saw the rock on the road when I went back to my car and it was the size of a baseball) and I said that was fine. I really wanted to impress upon them that a) if they had aimed a little higher they would have broken my back window, and b) if I had either of my children in the car the situation would have been much worse. Not to mention what would happen if someone with a worse temperament than mine was hit. Anyway, my wife (a lawyer) thought a police report would be necessary, but I talked her down to exchanging information with the father of the boys and getting an estimate for the damage to him so we could work out payment arrangements once we agree on the repair cost.

Anyone have a similar experience? Things work out, not work out? Should I call the police? I did dumb stuff as a kid but nothing as stupid as throwing baseball sized rocks at moving cars.

At their age I wouldn’t involve the police. I would however advise the families that if you see these kids acting in a similar manner you will report them to the police and advise the police of this incident as well. Scare the sheet out of them. Dang if they caused an accident that killed someone their life would be very different.

 

[TiredOldLion]

Hope it doesn’t come to the point you have to use the McAndrew forum on 4-29 to back up your claims. Might need subpoena power to get the real IDs of the board advisors.
LOL

 

[Psychedelic_MackDaddy]

Yesterday I was driving to the store on a road right outside of my neighborhood and on the way I spotted three boys (aged from about 5 - 9 years old) standing on a sidewalk next to a cul de sac of homes. I was driving on the side of the road closest to them (so, about 15 feet from them) and talking on my speaker phone with a relative. I saw one of the boys wind up and throw something at the car ahead of me. I didn't know what it was, and by the time I was close to them the same boy threw something at my car and actually hit the rear panel. It was a really loud 'BANG' sound and the person I was talking to thought I was in an accident. I stopped the car, turned around, and saw the boys sprint into the cul de sac. I was able to locate them based on a description provided to the first person I saw and the parents were mortified when I spoke to them. The boys admitted what they did and apologized (the oldest was the culprit). Parents offered to pay for damage (which was enough to dent the panel and scratch through the paint; I saw the rock on the road when I went back to my car and it was the size of a baseball) and I said that was fine. I really wanted to impress upon them that a) if they had aimed a little higher they would have broken my back window, and b) if I had either of my children in the car the situation would have been much worse. Not to mention what would happen if someone with a worse temperament than mine was hit. Anyway, my wife (a lawyer) thought a police report would be necessary, but I talked her down to exchanging information with the father of the boys and getting an estimate for the damage to him so we could work out payment arrangements once we agree on the repair cost.

Anyone have a similar experience? Things work out, not work out? Should I call the police? I did dumb stuff as a kid but nothing as stupid as throwing baseball sized rocks at moving cars.

The question is: What would have worked for you (when you did dumb stuff as a kid)?

When I was 10-14, I never thought twice about throwing snowballs at cars (and, sometimes ICE balls). I don't know what would've worked for me to make me stop. I did stop after 14.

My friends and I probably damaged cars and scared the bejesus out of people. We didn't understand what we were doing. Just kids hanging out having fun.

So, I don't know the answer. Maybe have a cop or fireman show these kids a crash caused by snowballs (or, in your case, rocks).

FYI... for the most part, habitual offenders, I find, come from some sort of troubled home. So, trying to appeal to their "better angels" may not work because at their age their brain is stunted by their upbringing, IMO.

This is one reason why I advocate for mandatory community service starting in the 3rd grade: Nursing homes, jails, hospitals. The sooner children see the REAL world, the better.

 

[chiro31]

If these kids were older, I'd consider the police route. At 5 to 9, though, I think I'd let the parents handle it.

You are assuming the parents will A. Give a shit B. Actually do something

 

[demlion]

I have a friend who went thru something like this ~15 years ago. He found out who the kids were and contacted the parents. They were good parents, but the kids, one especially, were out of control. Smashed a side window out of his car, but nobody hurt.

Having no kids of his own, he and his wife started paying attention to these kids---going to their LL games, hiring them to mow the lawn, taking them and the one kid's dad fishing, encouraging them to volunteer at his church. He would always hang around and speak to each of the boys after the games, so they knew he was keeping a n eye out for them

It was the damndest thing I ever saw. After 5-6 years of this, I asked him about it. Why did he do it?

"They needed to be reminded that I was watching," was all he would say. Maybe he had a time in his life when he needed that. And he recognized himself in them.

All three are working full time. One is a welder, one a plumber, the other is a teacher.

What an example he set for them. And for me.

 

[mgkpsu]

 

[psu7113]

Yesterday I was driving to the store on a road right outside of my neighborhood and on the way I spotted three boys (aged from about 5 - 9 years old) standing on a sidewalk next to a cul de sac of homes. I was driving on the side of the road closest to them (so, about 15 feet from them) and talking on my speaker phone with a relative. I saw one of the boys wind up and throw something at the car ahead of me. I didn't know what it was, and by the time I was close to them the same boy threw something at my car and actually hit the rear panel. It was a really loud 'BANG' sound and the person I was talking to thought I was in an accident. I stopped the car, turned around, and saw the boys sprint into the cul de sac. I was able to locate them based on a description provided to the first person I saw and the parents were mortified when I spoke to them. The boys admitted what they did and apologized (the oldest was the culprit). Parents offered to pay for damage (which was enough to dent the panel and scratch through the paint; I saw the rock on the road when I went back to my car and it was the size of a baseball) and I said that was fine. I really wanted to impress upon them that a) if they had aimed a little higher they would have broken my back window, and b) if I had either of my children in the car the situation would have been much worse. Not to mention what would happen if someone with a worse temperament than mine was hit. Anyway, my wife (a lawyer) thought a police report would be necessary, but I talked her down to exchanging information with the father of the boys and getting an estimate for the damage to him so we could work out payment arrangements once we agree on the repair cost.

Anyone have a similar experience? Things work out, not work out? Should I call the police? I did dumb stuff as a kid but nothing as stupid as throwing baseball sized rocks at moving cars.

Make a claim with your auto insurer and let the insurer go after the family to get its money back. That way you don’t have to go to the effort of working things out with the family. A police report wouldn’t hurt, but isn’t a necessity.

 

[91Joe95]

Yesterday I was driving to the store on a road right outside of my neighborhood and on the way I spotted three boys (aged from about 5 - 9 years old) standing on a sidewalk next to a cul de sac of homes. I was driving on the side of the road closest to them (so, about 15 feet from them) and talking on my speaker phone with a relative. I saw one of the boys wind up and throw something at the car ahead of me. I didn't know what it was, and by the time I was close to them the same boy threw something at my car and actually hit the rear panel. It was a really loud 'BANG' sound and the person I was talking to thought I was in an accident. I stopped the car, turned around, and saw the boys sprint into the cul de sac. I was able to locate them based on a description provided to the first person I saw and the parents were mortified when I spoke to them. The boys admitted what they did and apologized (the oldest was the culprit). Parents offered to pay for damage (which was enough to dent the panel and scratch through the paint; I saw the rock on the road when I went back to my car and it was the size of a baseball) and I said that was fine. I really wanted to impress upon them that a) if they had aimed a little higher they would have broken my back window, and b) if I had either of my children in the car the situation would have been much worse. Not to mention what would happen if someone with a worse temperament than mine was hit. Anyway, my wife (a lawyer) thought a police report would be necessary, but I talked her down to exchanging information with the father of the boys and getting an estimate for the damage to him so we could work out payment arrangements once we agree on the repair cost.

Anyone have a similar experience? Things work out, not work out? Should I call the police? I did dumb stuff as a kid but nothing as stupid as throwing baseball sized rocks at moving cars.

Too bad you don't live in PA so that you could enroll them in the cash for kids program.

 

[jim cummings]

We used to ball up clay and tag cars from down in a ditch along side the road until the blue Jeep Wrangler decided to have his top down.

You could hear it smack the side of his face and hear him yell WTF. Assholes and elbows is all I gotta say. This was in the 90s so the SOL has passed.

 

[PSU Mike]

Sorry to hear. I had it happen to me around Silver Spring the first year I lived in DC. The kids were older. As luck would have it I had just pulled a hammy for the only time in my life the day before. Probably saved a few people from a very uncomfortable situation.

 

[fastlax16]

And stories like this are why I have front and rear dash cams. Cheap insurance, with the added benefit of being handy to record races .

 

[LoyalandTrueLion]

Yesterday I was driving to the store on a road right outside of my neighborhood and on the way I spotted three boys (aged from about 5 - 9 years old) standing on a sidewalk next to a cul de sac of homes. I was driving on the side of the road closest to them (so, about 15 feet from them) and talking on my speaker phone with a relative. I saw one of the boys wind up and throw something at the car ahead of me. I didn't know what it was, and by the time I was close to them the same boy threw something at my car and actually hit the rear panel. It was a really loud 'BANG' sound and the person I was talking to thought I was in an accident. I stopped the car, turned around, and saw the boys sprint into the cul de sac. I was able to locate them based on a description provided to the first person I saw and the parents were mortified when I spoke to them. The boys admitted what they did and apologized (the oldest was the culprit). Parents offered to pay for damage (which was enough to dent the panel and scratch through the paint; I saw the rock on the road when I went back to my car and it was the size of a baseball) and I said that was fine. I really wanted to impress upon them that a) if they had aimed a little higher they would have broken my back window, and b) if I had either of my children in the car the situation would have been much worse. Not to mention what would happen if someone with a worse temperament than mine was hit. Anyway, my wife (a lawyer) thought a police report would be necessary, but I talked her down to exchanging information with the father of the boys and getting an estimate for the damage to him so we could work out payment arrangements once we agree on the repair cost.

Anyone have a similar experience? Things work out, not work out? Should I call the police? I did dumb stuff as a kid but nothing as stupid as throwing baseball sized rocks at moving cars.

Happened to a family member of mine 2 weeks ago. Played out the same way. Except she payed for it. Kid threw a rock hit the car. Family member slammed on the breaks. Quick turnaround. Went back in. Kid was living with elderly grandparents. Not much of a home life. I was told grandma was crying. And grandpa forced an apology and based on his anger. I assume kid (7) paid for the damage in his own way.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

The question is: What would have worked for you (when you did dumb stuff as a kid)?

When I was 10-14, I never thought twice about throwing snowballs at cars (and, sometimes ICE balls). I don't know what would've worked for me to make me stop. I did stop after 14.

My friends and I probably damaged cars and scared the bejesus out of people. We didn't understand what we were doing. Just kids hanging out having fun.

So, I don't know the answer. Maybe have a cop or fireman show these kids a crash caused by snowballs (or, in your case, rocks).

FYI... for the most part, habitual offenders, I find, come from some sort of troubled home. So, trying to appeal to their "better angels" may not work because at their age their brain is stunted by their upbringing, IMO.

This is one reason why I advocate for mandatory community service starting in the 3rd grade: Nursing homes, jails, hospitals. The sooner children see the REAL world, the better.

I had one incident like this when I was a kid (noting I was probably in 7th or 8th grade). My friends and I found what we thought was an abandoned (and mostly junked) car near a trailer park. We were into those high powered sling shots at the time and we took turns shooting at it. Turns out it had an owner. Cops were called, but I don't recall having to pay for anything. My dad was a Marine so getting him involved meant I was not going to repeat that behavior ever again.

 

[GregInPitt]

As a precaution to the parents backing out of the agreement write down everything you can remember about what happened and all the information you might need in the future. Sign and date it in case you need to go after them or their insurance company later. This is good advice with any incident you are involved in. Many years ago, working retail, an older man came into our store, slipped into a cart at the entrance. I was manager in charge that day and wrote an incident report. He seemed ok. Two years later his insurance company sued our company. I had to give a deposition. Seems a week later he was in a serious car accident and died. Insurance company said when he slipped in our store he hit his head which later led to his causing the accident and dying. The incident report gave me very good information such that after the deposition the insurance company changed their mind and dropped the suit. Had I not had the report I wrote that jogged my memory, I think things would have been different. My point is while your memory is fresh...write it down. You never know when you will need a memory boost. How the hell did Joe remember anything 9-10 years later?

Yes, writing down every detail you can remember in a log/diary is a must. I would add that I hope you have the contact information for the driver of the other car. If the boys' parents would attempt to back out of payment you would have a witness along with the details of the incident which would be an open and shut case in the event getting the police involved would be necessary.

And then you have to hope that the parents have already implemented a plan to impress upon their boys the seriousness of what they did, by explanations of the possible injury as well as where it hits the little darlings the most - in their pocket books!

 

[Rhino80]

I had a similar incident , but with green tomatoes instead of rocks. I got a buddy of mine who is a State Policeman call the kids dad. They arranged for my friend to go and scare the living crap out of the kid. Told him they were going to take him to Juvenile Hall and all he was allowed to take was a change of underwear and a toothbrush. Thought it was a good way to teach the kid a lesson and not put anything in writing. I've been out of PA a long time but hopefully the kid wised up.

 

[Ken82d]

Here’s my rock throwing kid story. Summer of 03, I’m rolling through southern Iraq. We had reports of kids throwing rocks at convoys, and as we pass through a neighborhood in Basra, I can see kids poke out of an alley and throw rocks at vehicles ahead of us. As we approach the alley, my passenger, a British lieutenant colonel yells “stop.” I stop my vehicle, and he runs off towards and down the alley chasing the kids with his hand on his sidearm. A moment later, he returns to the vehicle and tells me they won’t be throwing rocks anymore. I drive off and five minutes later, I ask, as I point to his sidearm, if he used it. He laughs back at me saying “heavens no, but I did use it to put the fear of god in them.” Good times and no police report filed either.

 

[Hugh Manatee]

Yesterday I was driving to the store on a road right outside of my neighborhood and on the way I spotted three boys (aged from about 5 - 9 years old) standing on a sidewalk next to a cul de sac of homes. I was driving on the side of the road closest to them (so, about 15 feet from them) and talking on my speaker phone with a relative. I saw one of the boys wind up and throw something at the car ahead of me. I didn't know what it was, and by the time I was close to them the same boy threw something at my car and actually hit the rear panel. It was a really loud 'BANG' sound and the person I was talking to thought I was in an accident. I stopped the car, turned around, and saw the boys sprint into the cul de sac. I was able to locate them based on a description provided to the first person I saw and the parents were mortified when I spoke to them. The boys admitted what they did and apologized (the oldest was the culprit). Parents offered to pay for damage (which was enough to dent the panel and scratch through the paint; I saw the rock on the road when I went back to my car and it was the size of a baseball) and I said that was fine. I really wanted to impress upon them that a) if they had aimed a little higher they would have broken my back window, and b) if I had either of my children in the car the situation would have been much worse. Not to mention what would happen if someone with a worse temperament than mine was hit. Anyway, my wife (a lawyer) thought a police report would be necessary, but I talked her down to exchanging information with the father of the boys and getting an estimate for the damage to him so we could work out payment arrangements once we agree on the repair cost.

Anyone have a similar experience? Things work out, not work out? Should I call the police? I did dumb stuff as a kid but nothing as stupid as throwing baseball sized rocks at moving cars.

Yep, I was young and possessed the stupidity that comes with it. Hopefully the kids learned a lesson and no one was hurt.

 

[ClarkstonMark]

Here’s my rock throwing kid story. Summer of 03, I’m rolling through southern Iraq. We had reports of kids throwing rocks at convoys, and as we pass through a neighborhood in Basra, I can see kids poke out of an alley and throw rocks at vehicles ahead of us. As we approach the alley, my passenger, a British lieutenant colonel yells “stop.” I stop my vehicle, and he runs off towards and down the alley chasing the kids with his hand on his sidearm. A moment later, he returns to the vehicle and tells me they won’t be throwing rocks anymore. I drive off and five minutes later, I ask, as I point to his sidearm, if he used it. He laughs back at me saying “heavens no, but I did use it to put the fear of god in them.” Good times and no police report filed either.

Glad you made it back alive. Thanks for serving our country.

 

[harbest]

If these kids were older, I'd consider the police route. At 5 to 9, though, I think I'd let the parents handle it.

This begs the question to me: Where the hell were the parents or guardians when the incident happened? I have raised 2 of my own children and have 2 grandchildren ages 7 and 9 and if they are outside of the house, at those ages and in this day and time, eyes on them all the time. Not just for the trouble they can get into but the trouble that can come looking for them. As for what they did, I wouldn't recommend a rock pile or a chain gang as punishment but they need to understand the seriousness of their crimes so there is not a repeat performance.

https://people.com/crime/husband-of-woman-injured-by-thrown-rock-dies-in-apparent-suicide/

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

So, I took the car to the shop yesterday and got an estimate (which was fairly significant to be honest). I sent it to the father of the boys and he agreed to the amount, thanked me for handling this without police or an insurance claim, and said he would send a check. He reiterated how sorry he was about everything and echoed my sentiment that it was a relief no one was seriously hurt. The work on the car will take five days but I told him I passed on getting a rental. Assuming the check comes in, will consider the matter settled. Thanks to all for sharing their experiences and advice!