Dashcam Video Shows Reckless Driver Near Natomas School, But Justice May Be Difficult
NATOMAS (CBS13) — A reckless driver was caught on a dashcam, but if police can track down the driver, can he still be ticketed.
Guy Murdock was on his way to work on Tuesday morning when his dash camera captured a Nissan swerving into oncoming traffic and blow through a stop sign in front of Natomas Middle School
Sacramento Police say it's tricky, because you have to prove who was actually driving at the time of the offense. But ticket or no ticket, Murdock says more police presence is needed in the area before someone gets hurt.
"It was unbelievable," he said. "A half-hour later, that's full of kids, and there was already cars there in the parking lot with parents dropping off kids, so I'm happy nothing happened."
It was around 7 a.m. when the 52-year-old was on his way to work and saw a gray Nissan fly past him on Kokomo Drive. Within seconds, the driver veers right, blows past a black BMW and a stop sign in front of Natomas Middle School.
Murdock estimates the driver was going about 65 mph as he approached from behind, and 30 mph through the intersection.
After slowing the video down, we found the car had paper plates with a JSV Auto Sales logo. The company owner tells us he sold the 2006 Maxima to a woman about two weeks ago, and he's happy to hand of any information to police.
But police spokeswoman Traci Trapini says it's not that easy.
"This is a tricky situation," she said.
Police can ticket the driver after an incident like this, but it can be tough, because they rely on strong suspect, vehicle and license plate descriptions to prove who was behind the wheel. The case they say will require a little more digging.
"If we were to contact that driver or locate that driver, we would evaluate them. Are they under the influence of drugs or alcohol? You know, was there an emergency? Was there some reason why they would be driving and running stop signs and causing such a hazard to the community," she said.
Concerned parents like Tracy Strong say they'd like some changes.
"It would be great if we could have a bigger police presence particularly during pickup and drop off times at school," she said.
In the meantime, Murdock will keep his dashcam powered up to make sure any future road rules violators are caught in the act.
"I wouldn't think it'd be too hard to track this person down and give him a citation," he said.
