Hello, my name is Jane.  I live in a small town in Missouri.  I work at the local library and I love it. I have a black cat named Olive who keeps me company.

In November 2022, I was experiencing some medical issues and I ended up missing a few days of work. I have Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis that had flared up during this time. When I was able to return to work, I wanted to speak to my supervisor before my shift began for the day. This was on November 18, 2022. I arrived early (11:15 AM) to give myself time to talk and explain everything to my boss before my shift began at noon. I parked in front of my employer’s building, thinking it’d be fine. The plan was to talk to my boss, go over doctor notes, and explain my absences. This went off without a hitch. I decided to just keep my car parked in front of the building versus moving it to the employees’ parking lot in the back of the building.

I had my head and eyes down, focused on my work, when a patron came to the front desk and asked if I drove a gray car. I said yes, I do. She told me someone had just hit my car and took off without saying a word. I was furious (mostly with myself for not moving my car) but we have a lot of cameras on our property. Upon reviewing the camera footage, my supervisor immediately recognized the vehicle and driver that had fled the scene. He was/is a frequent patron of the library. I called the police, an officer came out and made a report, and he gave me his email address to be able to keep in touch. I emailed a copy of my insurance card (the one I had on me was expired as my insurance is billed every six months) so I emailed a copy of my updated and current insurance card and also included my phone number to the officer, so he’d have another avenue on which to reach me if needed.

I was hesitant to approach the gentleman who hit my car. I am on the front lines of my job - I see this gentleman nearly every day. It didn’t feel right or professional to confront him. From what I understand, my co-workers DID say something to the man, and he approached me soon after to inquire if the car he had hit was mine. I stated yes. He apologized, and asked if my car was ok. I stated no. He said he was sorry, and walked away.

The police officer handling the case did no work or research into the incident. Luckily, my boss is friends with the police chief, so she contacted him and asked him to talk to the officer handling the case. The police chief gave the officer tasks to complete (follow up with me with any updates, as I had not heard from the officer since the day of the wreck, November 18, and a deadline by which to do so (8:00 AM on December 3. 2022).

The officer came to my home on December 3, 2022 at 7 AM. He was very aggressive in his approach - he rang the Ring doorbell furiously and knocked really loudly. At first, I was a little perturbed but I was glad he had taken his boss’ words seriously.

He seemed disinterested and started the conversation in a quizzical tone. He asked, ‘My boss said you were wanting an update on the car accident?’ I stated yes, but I was a little put off by his lack of concern. I felt he could have and should have done more up to this point - I hadn’t heard from him since November 18th. He began to speak, stating he had visited the gentleman who had hit my car and fled. He said the gentleman was very nice and compliant. The man showed the officer his truck, which is the vehicle with which he struck my car. The man said something to the effect of, he’d been in a few car accidents and that there was no way to prove the grey paint and scratches/scuffs on the passenger front side of his vehicle were from hitting me. (The driver front side of my vehicle was struck.)

The officer brought the conversation back to present day. He stated that while the man very likely did hit my car, since he denied hitting my vehicle, there was nothing else that could be done. The videos my employer provided to the officer/police department did not show the license plate clearly enough, so that piece could also not be used to identify the driver. The case was deemed closed by the officer and he left.

I had been doing my best to just accept that the gentleman who hit my car would not be held responsible. The man continued to come in to my place of employment and he always said hello. One time, he took it to where I think was too far. He asked me where my car was parked, and I stated it was in the employee parking lot, which is located behind our building. The man stated, in a very facetious tone, that he ‘couldn’t hit it again if it was parked back there and not on the street like it was on the day he hit it.’

I have conferred with my auto insurance company, and they stated that I could get the car repaired on my own dime, but there was a $500 deductible that had to be paid first. I did not, nor do I have the funds to do this, so my car remains in disrepair. I have also contacted a few personal property lawyers, and they all agree that it’s best to approach the man who hit my car. They reviewed the fees that a case like mine would entail, and I do not have the funds to go that route. I’m a very reasonable and easy-going person, and I still don’t feel it’s right or appropriate to approach/interrogate the man who hit my truck. This conversation would have to take place at my place of employment in a public arena. He seems a bit wishy-washy and like he could feel provoked to yell and/or resort to violence. It’s not worth it at all. I’m keeping the peace for both my and my employer’s good, with the knowledge that my car could stop functioning on any given day.

I am asking for your help with any funds you can spare. I love my job and I don’t want to do something extreme, like resign or lose my cool with this patron who hit my car.

It is important to me to either have my current vehicle repaired, or to be able to purchase a different, reasonably priced used vehicle. This is what I would be using the funds for in this case. It is imperative that I travel to St. Louis about 4-5 times monthly, sometimes more, while driving 45 minutes to an hour away, for medical care.  The type of MS that I have has to be closely monitored, in addition to being tested/examined soon for a possible blood disorder or cancer. I have an upcoming appointment with a hematologist/oncologist medical professional on August 4.

TL; DR: my vehicle was struck in a hit-and-run accident.  The local police refuse to prosecute the man who did it, and this man is a frequent visitor to my work.  He has made off color jokes about hitting my car again, while maintaining his fake innocence to the police.  My car is in need of repair and I simply do not have the funds to pay the deductible to fix it (there would likely more charges involved once the damage is assessed) or purchase a different, used but reliable vehicle.  I have Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis and I am currently being tested for a blood disorder and signs of cancer.  These conditions require me to drive about 45 minutes each way to and from the hospital at which I receive care. 

I appreciate you taking the time out of your day to read about this fundraiser. Thank you!