Reddit user successfully identifies hit-and-run car from debris left on road
A photograph of a small piece of metal was shared to the social networking site and helped bring hit-and-run driver to justice
The power of the internet’s car nerds has paid off, after a Reddit user successfully identified a hit-and-run driver from a tiny shard of bodywork left behind at the scene of an accident.
Washington State Police appealed on Twitter for information after an unidentified vehicle hit a cyclist, in an incident which would prove to be fatal.
The officer’s tweet was then shared on social networking site Reddit, in the sub-category of r/WhatIsThisThing – a ‘sub-reddit’ dedicated to identifying obscure objects.
Of course, one should never underestimate the power of the internet’s car nerds, and it didn’t take long for the community to respond.
Reddit user JeffsNuts responded to the post, correctly identifying the shard as a portion of the headlamp bezel from a 1988 Chevrolet Silverado truck.
“People keep asking how I knew this,” he said. “I’ve been a Maryland state inspector for a long time, and part of each car and truck inspection up until recently was a mandatory headlamp adjustment.
“Anyhow, I’ve done a s**t-ton of headlamp adjustments, so right away I knew what that notch in the plastic was for. I first checked 1988 Ram 1500 trucks and by chance, there was a picture of a mid 80’s Chevy truck.”
Jeff’s efforts paid off. Just days later, Washington State Police Trooper Johanna Batiste posted an update to the case on Twitter, saying: “WSP detectives made an arrest today for Thursday’s fatal bicyclist hit and run in Eatonville.
“Reddit users identified a photographed broken car part as a mid 1980’s Chevy truck headlight assembly. Local anonymous tip confirms and led to the arrest of a driver of a 1986 Chevy K-10.”
Reddit and Twitter users praised Jeff, with one saying: “doubtless there’s a family out there that’s grateful for your work bringing closure to this.”
