Ep 20. Hit and Run

Highway Patrol season 1 episode 20, titled "Hit and Run," begins with the Highway Patrol officers on duty, patrolling the highways around California. They receive a call about a hit and run accident at a local gas station, involving a semi-truck and a passenger car. The semi-truck driver fled the scene, and the car driver was severely injured and in critical condition. The Highway Patrol officers rush to the scene to investigate the accident.

When they arrive at the gas station, the officers find the car crushed under the weight of the semi-truck, and the driver pinned inside the wreckage. The ambulance arrives, and the paramedics start working on the victim. While the paramedics do their job, the Highway Patrol officers start questioning the witnesses and collecting evidence at the scene.

The Highway Patrol officers inspect the semi-truck and find some crucial evidence that leads them to the driver's identity. They also question some witnesses who recall some critical information about the trucker's whereabouts before and after the accident. The officers also find CCTV footage from the gas station, showing the entire incident. They study the footage and get some more useful information about the accident.

After gathering all the evidence, the officers start a manhunt for the truck driver, and they finally catch him near a diner about 20 miles away from the accident site. The driver initially denies being involved in the accident but later admits to it when confronted with the evidence.

The officers take him back to the station for further questioning and processing. They run his records and find that he has been involved in several hit and run accidents before. The driver has a severe addiction to alcohol and drugs, and he was high during the time of the accident.

The officers study the evidence and witness statements and determine that the truck driver is responsible for the accident and the severe injury caused to the passenger car driver. They prepare a case and file charges of hit and run, reckless driving, and driving under the influence of drugs/alcohol against the driver.

The episode concludes with the driver's trial, where the Highway Patrol officers testify against him and present the evidence they collected. The driver pleads guilty to all charges and receives a sentence of several years in prison.

"Hit and Run" is a fascinating episode of Highway Patrol that showcases the critical work done by Highway Patrol officers to keep California's highways safe. The episode provides an in-depth insight into how they investigate accidents and catch perpetrators who violate traffic laws. The episode serves as a reminder to viewers to always obey traffic laws, drive safely and responsibly, and avoid driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.