Posted on 04/14/2007 5:31:21 AM PDT by upchuck
New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine's hard-headed refusal to wear a seat belt nearly cost him his life.
Flouting the law, the multimillionaire politician didn't buckle up on Thursday, even as his SUV whizzed down the Garden State Parkway well above the speed limit. And it wasn't the first time.
A law-enforcement official told the Associated Press that state troopers who drive Corzine have tried and failed in the past to convince him to strap in.
"Those of you who know Governor Corzine know he's not always amenable to suggestion," admitted his chief of staff, Tom Shea.
Corzine is paying a heavy price for not wearing a seat belt. A harrowing list of injuries will require months of recovery.
The 60-year-old was in critical but stable condition with a leg that broke so badly, the bone punctured the flesh. It was pieced together with a rod and screws.
He also busted a dozen ribs, cracked a backbone, suffered a fractured breastbone and collarbone, and his scalp was cut open. He needed seven pints of blood.
He was on a ventilator and heavily sedated because the chest injuries made it excruciating to breathe. Police had to scrap an interview with him because he can't talk.
He's slated for more surgery on his leg today and Monday, will likely be out of work for weeks, and faces months of painful rehabilitation.
The accident occurred as Corzine was heading to a meeting between ex-radio host Don Imus and the Rutgers University basketball players he denigrated.
A red Ford F-150 pickup - which is still being hunted by cops - darted into the right lane, causing a white Dodge truck to swerve into the left lane, where Corzine's SUV was traveling.
The governor's driver, State Trooper Robert Rasinski, tried to avoid a collision and ended up hitting a guardrail.
IOW, he's an arrogant ass who thinks the rules don't apply to him. Unfortunately some laws (like Mr. Newton's) apply even to very rich governors.
I'm sorry the governor was injured, and hope he heals completely. I also hope he'll gain the humility he so badly needs.
He was rushing for the photo-op. Another chance to show how Democrats support the victims of racism at every opportunity.
Like the Kennedys, he believed the rules did not apply to him.
That being said I wish him the best.
Will Imus have to apologize to him now also?
So was he “flouting” or “flaunting” the law?
For the fullest present description of his really busted up condition see: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1817235/posts
How long before someone blames it the evil SUV?
Much worse, in the eyes of the Law,than slippinng into the country illegaly, driving with out lic, and causing a wreck.
Excellent assessment—couldn’t agree more. Everyone should buckle up, but this is typical liberal behavior. They relish telling others how to live—and then don’t follow the rules of their own nanny state.
I can’t figure out why he wasn’t wearing a seat belt-was he worried about it wrinkling his dress-oh, no wait that was McGreevy-never mind.
Wouldn’t it be something if it turns out an illegal alien caused the wreck? Hoist on their own petard.
I don't particularly like seatbelts, but I feel naked without one when I am in the car. I fear what the airbag will do to me in a minor crash, but I don't turn it off either. That said, I disagree with laws that say I have to use them. Common sense says to use them or suffer the consequences.
I think they should go back and ask the policemen who ferry him around how many times he rode w/o a seatbelt and give him tickets for each one. If a law is imposed on the little people it should also be imposed on multimillionare, politicians.
Prayers that he recovers quickly. I can’t imagine the pain the man is suffering.
If it did turn out to be an illegal alien, the media would bury it.
And so the big hunt is on for the “red pickup truck”. What a load. Ive seen the way the troopers and Corzine’s motorcade drive down the highway. They go 90 mph in the left lane like they own the road. The truck probably didnt get out of their way in time.
Although illegal aliens have been reported fleeing crash sites because they don’t want to be contacted by the authorites, we don’t know if this person was here illegally or not. It could have been someone with a few grams of crack cocaine, or the truck had been stolen, or someone on probation and afraid that hitting a government official would put him back in Rahway. I am sure we will know for sure shortly, but it is better to suspend judgement until the facts are in.
Of course, that takes 70 percent out of the fun of Free Republic...
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