Police in Eugene, Oregon, have arrested a 70-year-old man in connection with a March 20, 2010 hit-and-run accident on the Highway 99. Ronald Tester has been charged with two felony counts of hit-and-run and one count of tampering with evidence. Police say that Tester left the scene of the accident after he struck Nick Arbacauskas and his 6-year-old son, Andrew, who were on a motorcycle. Since the accident, Arbacauskas has been lying in a hospital bed with a broken leg and other injuries, according to a KEZI news report.

My heart goes out to the Arbacauskas family. I wish Nick Arbacauskas the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. I can only imagine what a morale boost it must be for this family to see the hit-and-run driver apprehended.

Relief and Closure for Victims

Arbacauskas tells reporters that he just "started yelling woo hoo" as he lay on the bed. "All the nurses ran into the room saying what's the matter, what's the matter," he said. "I said they caught the S.O.B."

It's not just hit-and-run victims, but also members of the public, who often wonder what makes some of those involved in an accident to just drive away from the scene without stopping to help the victims or just be there for support until assistance arrives. This story very well illustrates what the Arbacauskas family went through after the motorcycle accident – something we rarely get to hear. Both Nick Arbacauskas and his wife, Pam Rose, say that they can now move forward.

It gives them a sense of relief and closure. The biggest fear victims and families feel after such an incident is that the person who did this to them would never be caught. Fortunately, it did not happen in this case thanks to someone who tipped off police about the damaged truck, which police say, Tester hid in his backyard.

Public's Help is Invaluable in Hit-and-Run Cases

Arbacauskas says he still wonders what Tester thought and felt. "I want to know what he felt when he decided to run," Arbacauskas told reporters. "When he turned an accident into a crime, I want to know what he was thinking."

I hope Arbacauskas and his family members are consulting with an experienced Oregon personal injury lawyer, who will guide them through the legal complexities of such a case. If Tester lacks insurance or sufficient insurance coverage, the uninsured/underinsured motorist clause of Arbacauskas' auto insurance policy should compensate him. If Tester is found guilty of the crimes, he should absolutely be held criminally and civilly responsible for the damages he caused.

Would you call a law enforcement agency or an anonymous tip line to report suspicious activity?

The BISNAR|CHASE personal injury law firm is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.`

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