6 Months After Accident and Arrest, 'Nightmare' Continues for Barbecue Vendor
Posted by JordanDallasObserver@reddit | Dallas | View on Reddit | 74 comments
Cheesencrqckerz@reddit
This comment section is a reminder of the cultural divide in Dallas and our country. All of you are focused on saying, “he should have had his papers in order, no sympathy for rule breakers” while completely ignoring the fact that he’s been jailed for a week, lost his housing, sold his belongings, was recently hospitalized for depression, and is now headed to a homeless shelter.
Jesus fucking Christ, it must be nice to have the privilege to sit on your high horse and look down on someone just trying to make a living. The guy who got hurt doesn’t even want to press charges. This is what’s wrong with society, no sympathy for an honest man who just doesn’t want to jump through paperwork hoops. I can see if he had sold some bad barbecue and someone died from food poisoning. All he did was unintentionally knock down a drunk.
Fuck you, Dallasites. You suck.
deleted_by_reddit@reddit
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TeaMistress@reddit
I feel sorry for the guy. I do. And we can have sympathy for the him and also acknowledge that he made a series of bad choices. If you can't get a driver's license, registration for your vehicle, insurance for your vehicle, or a permit to make and sell food from your vehicle, then the obvious answer here is to keep your nose down and find a way to make money that doesn't involve calling attention to your situation.
People who aren't willing to accept any personal responsibility aren't "honest" men. He acts like all this is stuff that just happened to him out of the blue without him playing any role in any of it. He chose not to "jump through paperwork hoops". He chose to sell food he wasn't permitted to sell out of a truck he wasn't licensed to drive and wasn't insured to operate should an accident happen. He also chose to do whatever it was that convinced a hospital to put an involuntary hold on him for a week on top of everything else.
At some point in all of this an honest man would say "oh man, I really screwed up", but he hasn't. He just sees himself as a victim.
Vuedue@reddit
No, no, no. You don't understand.
You must show absolute sympathy to anyone regardless of their actions if the internet finds their situation sad. /s
The person you are responding to does not seem to comprehend that the police can't just give him back his car once it is impounded. He will need a license and insurance.
On that note, that person is disregarding anyone else for the sake of this man due to circumstance. Uninsured drivers can cause financial havoc in the event of serious wrecks. Unlicensed food vendors can quite literally kill people.
The laws regarding things like this (driving and serving food) were not made for fun.
Does the situation about the drunk guy suck? Absolutely. The drunk man should have received some charge (PI, DC, etc.). That doesn't absolve this man of any blame.
Had his insurance and license recently ran out, then maybe this could be understandable. Had his food permit been recently expired then maybe he could get a pass on that.
He has likely been operating like this for 25 years. 25 years of simply being fortunate enough that no incident occurred.
Now, after 25 years an incident occurred however minor. I would have more sympathy had he not had a quarter of century to do it right.
TeaMistress@reddit
I stopped responding when it was obvious that guy just wanted to be a Reddit social justice warrior without taking anything else into consideration. You've nailed the point I was trying to make: The food vendor made the choice day after day to not get his shit sorted. I get it that bureaucracy sucks and insurance is a scam, but maybe selling food out of your truck isn't the best career choice if you're trying to make sure no one knows you're drving without a license and insurance.
Cheesencrqckerz@reddit
You’ve only further proven my point. Thank you for this powerful insight/s
JuniorNeedleworker47@reddit
Yea there is no sympathy shown here. Pretty typical but hey we all have our day in the sun one day. Be careful how you treat others because it will come back on you.
Own-Ad1744@reddit
Privilege by definition is unearned. If the people posting here are working and insured and licensed, they've earned the reason to comment because they're done the things you're supposed to do operate a car. Therefore, your 'check your privilege' rant is misplaced, because you're talking to posters who are not privileged, they've earned their position.
buzzyburke@reddit
TLDR
Random dude jumped on his truck while he was driving and fell off and hurt himself. Food truck guy didnt notice they arrested him and impounded his food truck. Been 6 months investigation so they wont release truck.
Pabi_tx@reddit
Without a driver's license. Seems like the first rule of "food truck" should be "have a license to operate the truck."
Ziptex223@reddit
So give him the fine and move on. There are procedures in place for these types of offenses and they're not being followed, that's a violation of his rights and shouldn't be happening, end of story.
Dudebythepool@reddit
Cool have him pay said fine and provide insurance and drivers license before getting truck back
deja-roo@reddit
That is not how that works.
Dudebythepool@reddit
So you suggest giving the truck back to him before he has a license or insurance? How is he going to drive it?
deja-roo@reddit
He can have his friend drive it, whatever. They don't have any cause to hold on to it. There are basic procedures in how you deal with these offenses, and they don't involve indefinitely holding on to someone's property for no reason.
Dudebythepool@reddit
friend wont have insurance for it, so should they insure it before taking possession of it?
What about the towing fees do you want the friends to pay that first?
deja-roo@reddit
You can add liability insurance to something in like less than 5 minutes.
I don't know what this has to do with it. Obviously you have to pay the towing fees.
Dudebythepool@reddit
commercial insurance in less than 5 minutes good luck with that
deja-roo@reddit
He doesn't need commercial insurance. It's a truck. He can get regular truck insurance. He just needs class C liability.
Dudebythepool@reddit
Needs commercial insurance, he is quoted as saying that his truck is his business. BBQ pit trailer was hooked onto his vehicle so they wont be split up in impound
deja-roo@reddit
He doesn't need commercial insurance just to drive it to his storage/parking though.
Dudebythepool@reddit
He needs insurance to get it released, proper insurance, just like truckers can't get rigs released after an accident without proof on insurance this guy will need his insured and have whomever take it that actually has a license.
We all know he wont drive it to his storage/parking area, he will be selling bbq asap since he has already lost so much money.
deja-roo@reddit
This isn't how procedures are done. "We won't follow the rules because I know you're not going to follow rules".
Dudebythepool@reddit
They are following procedures all they need is insurance and a license for vehicles released 🤷
deja-roo@reddit
Didn't read the article?
Dudebythepool@reddit
That's where he is quoted as saying his truck is his business 😉
deja-roo@reddit
What does that have to do with you just saying "all they need" is insurance and a license for the vehicles?
Dudebythepool@reddit
that's the insurance they will need to get the truck out business/commercial insurance lol
deja-roo@reddit
No, to drive it home he only needs basic liability.
To begin operating as a business again he'll need the commercial insurance, but just to get it out of impound, you only need regular liability.
Dudebythepool@reddit
yeah okay go get it for him then lol
deja-roo@reddit
They aren't releasing the truck.
It's what the article is about...? It's what this discussion is about...
Dudebythepool@reddit
cuz he doesn't have a license or proper insurance for his business vehicle.......
he can solve it by getting those fixed like any other person that gets a car impounded
deja-roo@reddit
All he needs is liability insurance for a regular vehicle to get it out of impound. He needs different insurance if he starts operating the vehicle for business purposes.
He doesn't need a license, he can just get a friend with a license to drive it.
Dudebythepool@reddit
article doesn't address anything it's some sob piece.
you keep saying the same things but are wrong that's why you've got so many down votes lol
you should be the friend he needs and take the liability for him if you still think he doesn't need proper insurance. I'm out
deja-roo@reddit
I have downvotes because people don't know what they're talking about and just go with what "sounds" right. It sounds like you're doing the same.
I can't. Because they won't release the truck. Did you read the article at all?
Liability is proper insurance. That's all you need to pick up a truck from impound. He only needs commercial insurance if he begins to use the truck in business. A drive home does not require that, and it's not a clerk/admin decision on their own whims to just not abide by the laws already in place that dictate this.
Diligent_Mulberry47@reddit
Not having a license or insurance doesn’t stop people from driving. He’s already driven without both so it’s a safe bet he’s going to get back on the road without a license.
He’s lucky Texas got rid of the DRP.
deja-roo@reddit
That's not a decision for some clerk to make on his own. There are rules about when a vehicle is released, and it appears Dallas is not following them.
Diligent_Mulberry47@reddit
I'm not going to argue against the permitting for a food van, but vehicle registration/insurance and a valid DL are the fucking lowest bar we have in Texas.
Dudes like this guy cost people who do it the right way far too much money. His not having insurance has complicated his case.
That's his fault.
deja-roo@reddit
Getting basic liability insurance takes no time at all, and the owner of a vehicle doesn't have to drive it away. Anyone can show up to do that on behalf of the owner.
I'm honestly just repeating my prior comment on this. You don't have to have a driver license to own/store a vehicle. Registration is not a reason to hold a vehicle in impound because that's not a problem that can be fixed without taking the car and having it inspected.
Diligent_Mulberry47@reddit
Like I said in my previous comment, I won't argue whether Dallas is easy or difficult for permitting so I won't comment on the food truck aspect of this.
He chose to operate a vehicle with no valid DL and no insurance. It's a conscious choice because I've made it before. You KNOW your vehicle isn't legal to be on the street.
His case being this complicated is also his fault.
deja-roo@reddit
It's not complicated. That's the point. Whether he made choices that resulted in this situation is kind of immaterial at this point.
A basic liability insurance card and a buddy with a driver license should be all that's necessary to get the vehicle out of impound.
I'm not sure why you're commenting about the permitting of the food truck part, because I haven't brought it up. That has nothing to do with whether he can get his vehicle out of impound.
Psychedelic-Dreams@reddit
Ok that’s fair, what about issue of the city just holding on to property? You’re correct about the charges. Does that warrant to keep the property though? Give him the tickets he deserves, just make sure everything is settled correctly.
Pabi_tx@reddit
They need to resolve his case, sure.
They also need to make sure he's got all his shit in order before he hits the road to start selling barbecue again.
Psychedelic-Dreams@reddit
Yea I completely agree. Of course non of this would happen if everything was good on his end. Just sucks to be in a weird situation like this. I didn’t even read as to why the guy jumped on the truck. I’m more interested in the incident than the legal matter going on. Deep Ellum is wild.
Pabi_tx@reddit
Drunk.
Pit_27@reddit
Owns food truck. No license to food. No license to truck. What could go wrong?
omar_strollin@reddit
Pretty risky to have your business and transportation wrapped up in something you’re in no way legally licensed to do.
Dallaswolf21@reddit
This is the part people don't get.. I respect everyone having a hustle but when it comes to food we can't have people out here playing around. And if you can't afford the permit then this hustle is not for you.
Cheesencrqckerz@reddit
Holy shit, that’s really sad.
James says he never thought much about getting permits for his business; he’s been doing it for so long, and it was never an issue. When talking to the Observer, he was often genial, throwing around words like “buddy” and talking about his future plans for his business. But recently, he went to the hospital to seek help for shoulder pain from a recent accident on a rented scooter.
As the doctors evaluated him, James says he mentioned that he was depressed. The hospital decided to keep him for at least a week, and that’s where he was during his most recent interview. Once he gets out, he says he is headed to Austin Street Shelter.
TeaMistress@reddit
So the hospital decided to hold him involuntarily because he was "depressed"? That just doesn't track, especially because he seems unlikely to have any sort of health insurance to cover his stay. We are missing a large chunk of this story.
Cheesencrqckerz@reddit
What’s your theory genius?
TeaMistress@reddit
There's no need to be hostile. I don't have a theory. It's just that hospitals don't just admit a guy for treatment for a shoulder injury then keep him for a week because he's "depressed". So somewhere along the way the hospital decided to jump through the many hoops it takes to hold onto him for a week. I'm interested in what happened there. Aren't you?
Cheesencrqckerz@reddit
I didn’t realize how unfamiliar everyone else is to this. The system and the reality of poverty make a strong case for why this situation tracks. When you’re homeless with no safety net, things can spiral fast. The mental health system is a shit show and if they believe you’re a threat to yourself, they can hold you, insurance or not.
It sounds like he was held longer than 72 hours because he’s waiting for a bed at a homeless shelter. He most likely has medical staff working in conjunction with a case worker and the shelter staff. Plus, the news wouldn’t report that he told the hospital he wanted to kill himself, would they? “Complaint of depression” is an easier pill for people like you to digest in the daily news. This story might seem like it’s missing pieces, but sadly, for those trapped in these cycles, it’s all too common. For him to go from selling BBQ in deep ellum to a homeless shelter is tragic. Suprised this story got any coverage at all. I guess that’s a start still the disconnect is obvious and shows why we need better systems in place. He’s willing to work! He made a way for himself to not be a sign holding street begger and now what are his options? Drugs and the streets is what’s currently being offered that one week stay is up.
TeaMistress@reddit
You don't know me or anything about me. Having a civil conversation about this shouldn't need to involve me disclosing anything about my own housing, income, and mental health history to be considered worthy of having that conversation with you. You've already made a few "check your privilege" type posts throughout the comments section. I'd like you to consider checking your own assumption about others' privilege.
Cheesencrqckerz@reddit
I said that because you’re treating this like some unsolved mystery when I’ve spelled it out in black and white. Funny how that’s the only thing you picked up on from everything else I said 🤣. Looks like the point went way over your head.
JuniorNeedleworker47@reddit
It’s funny how people have their heads in the clouds and things still go over their heads.
Bigsadandpuzzled@reddit
Yes, they can. There are county hospitals that don’t require people to have health insurance to stay there and receive treatment and if the psych determines you are a potential danger to yourself they can put you on a hold to ensure your safety.
TeaMistress@reddit
I think you've misunderstood me, and if I wasn't clear enough, that's on me. I didn't say a hospital couldn't do this. Because of course they can and did. But as anyone who doesn't have health insurance can tell you, you're going to get the bare minimum care needed to treat your problem when you show up there without a way to pay them. And finding a bed for a psych patient isn't easy. Dallas is a big city with lots of people with lots of problems.
My point in all of this is that the guy showed up with a shoulder injury, and at some point during his treatment for that he said or did something that prompted the hospital to hold him. I hope someone with more experience in that area can weigh in here, but he obviously didn't just tell the guy looking at your shoulder x-rays that he was depressed. There's a whole series of events that led to him getting locked down for a week. And normally that would be his own business, except that this story is supposed to make us take his word for it that he's a victim of circumstances and didn't do anything wrong.
Bigsadandpuzzled@reddit
My apologies for misunderstanding you. When you’re in the hospital there are multiple ways for psych to become involved. One way is if the patient expresses depression. Then the patient’s doctor may request a psych consult. The patient can also request to see psych.
Bigsadandpuzzled@reddit
I’m not saying any of this to speculate regarding this individual’s experience as I don’t think it’s relevant.
PharmKB@reddit
That absolutely sounds like a county hospital to me.
Own-Ad1744@reddit
It doesn't sound like he has a drivers license or auto insurance currently, and the police cannot release the impounded car because it is not street legal without registration and valid insurance.
Hopefully, this story will resonate with enough people that someone will work with him to get his license reinstated and insurance so he can get his car out of impound.
Own-Ad1744@reddit
There is that beautiful "everybody gets some tax revenue" government we know and love.
halnic@reddit
The article doesn't mention whether or not he's done anything other than talking about the unfairness of it all. Has he gotten his license reinstated? Insurance for the vehicle he wants to get out of impound? The permit(s) they expect for vendors serving food to the public? I get it's hard and expensive but if he wants his truck back, that's what he'll have to do.
{It sounds familiar... Semi-related personal story:
When my ex bil's car got impounded because he was caught driving with a suspended driver's license/ no insurance they told him you cannot have it back until you get all that straightened out. Every month for over a year, when traffic court was scheduled, his court appointed attorney called and every time he did not have his DL yet, they extended the court date. The lawyer said there's zero point in going to court for the car if you do not have these basic things. The judge won't care about your back story, what the circumstances were, or that you are a family man with kids to feed (pfft, like he was working - my sister was the sole provider)- they strictly want to see a valid driver's license and insurance. His lawyer was so fed up with his lack of responsibility and his cries of being victimized by the system.
Once he got his DL and insurance together, it was a quick process to get his vehicle back(same month). All the fines and fees were put on a payment plan because they exceeded the county's threshold for requiring full payment(it's $100 there and you can pay as little as $10/month but these policies can vary, and I know municipalities exist that don't offer payments like that and will even arrest you for not being able to pay in full even if you owe a couple thousand). They gave him the vehicle back that day, he showed the receipt/paperwork from the county clerk to the impound lot showing all fees would be paid on payments and was back on the road. }
The article seems to beat at around the bush, but the continued hold of the truck could be failure to comply with the law because he believes that since the drunk man "forgave" him, the court should "forget" about the other stuff and let him continue operating without fixing the vehicle infractions. That's just not how it works. Once they know you're breaking the law they expect you to fix it. It doesn't matter "how" they found out about you breaking the law.
Worth_Middle_2238@reddit
He should file a complaint with the Dallas Community Oversight Board https://dallascityhall.com/government/meetings/Pages/community-police-oversight-board.aspx
Let-It-Get-It-Reddit@reddit
He should probably get insurance and a permit to sell food out if his truck first.
oilmoney322@reddit
The arrest was not an accident he knew he was running a business with no permit. We have laws to protect food vendors from getting people sick for a reason.
fbc546@reddit
Well then give him his punishment for that and let the man go on. That’s not what he’s being punished for, the police are saying he hit someone and fled the scene which is not true, he returned to the scene once he knew and the drunk man said it was his fault and didn’t want to press charges but the police insisted. This is a witch hunt not a “operating a food truck without a license” case.
broniskis45@reddit
It's an uphill battle though, he also was driving without a license, so it's gonna drag. I feel for the man cause ideally you'd want this kind of thing to just be let go but the courts are bogged down. It is the unfortunate bureaucracy of it all.
Pabi_tx@reddit
And didn't have valid vehicle insurance.
I feel for the guy but also, fuck uninsured drivers.
sipes216@reddit
The guy made a conscious life decision knowing full well, or just not caring about liability and security in case of a situation happening.
A lot of people need this same advice... insurance isn't for YOU screwing up, as much as it is for when people screw up INTO you.
And because he chose to ignore a law.... Fafo.
LittleTXBigAZ@reddit
You didn't read the article, huh?
Pabi_tx@reddit
From the article:
-No permit to run a food truck.
-No driver's license.
-No vehicle insurance.