Because we really shouldn't be empathizing with people like this.
This is an adullt who is operating a machine that requires a license, and after striking a vehicle she almost struck a person. And we're... meant to feel sorry for her? We all have to conform to the same laws and responsibilities. Her grandma could be the meanest cur in the world, and she may be going through some shit, but that still doesn't excuse this behavior in any way.
It doesn't happen online much because it shouldn't. There are some situations where accountability take precedence over situational speculation.
You can empathize with someone and not give them a free pass. They don't stop being people just because they did something bad and its ok to feel sorry for them, even if punishing them is still correct.
Agreed. She looked like she needed help as well as punishment. What she did was wrong and irrational, but she wasn't in a rational state of mind by the looks of it.
Thank you. As hard as it is to watch her, the guy in the video is beyond cringe. He has her blocked in and he’s egging her on with comments like “double felony”, “you almost hit me!”
Get whatever video you need to document her and her car, but it was clear she was going to do whatever she needed to get out of there. I’d take self-preservation measures for me and my car, then let the cops and my insurance figure it out. Dude just wanted to bully her and make it worse. He was actively making the situation more dangerous.
This person demanded understanding for themselves while refusing to recognize the humanity of the person they've caused harm to (the person who was the victim of the hit and run).
This person showed no remorse and continue harming others when they could have stopped (by getting out of the car and doing the right thing).
The person attempted to manipulate the victim (the person recording) into feeling sorry for them specifically to escape accountability.
None of those behaviors deserve empathy. And this comes from the son of a former addict.
You expect rationality from the irrational. They could have stopped the car. They could also have not hit and run in the first place, or consumed any addictive substance. But they didn't because they weren't able to think clearly. And while none of the behaviours you listed deserve empathy, the person themselves does if it is apparent that they need help.
And no, nobody is excusing illegal behaviour. It is why the woman in the video was arrested. It is why I said they should be punished, as well as provided help.
Please do not mistake empathising with "we think this person did no wrong and should be free to do whatever."
299
u/JustletmeBee2026 Aug 20 '26
She seems legitimately distressed.