First, did it matter where Griczin was going when the accident occurred? What's the definition of a Quantico-based military member? Most are Marines, but there are a few from every branch stationed there. Was the FLS too lazy to confirm this fact for a front-page story, or was it trying to be cute and let the readers make their own assumptions?
The jumphead included information about the $30 fine to lead me back to the story. What does the amount paid for a fine have to do with the liability of the at-fault driver? If the court had fined the other driver $300 or $3,000, would that have been justice, and would that have helped the Griczins?
I'll state the obvious: No!
The FLS writes a drama-filled story, but I went away wondering why the Griczins' attorney, Phillip Sasser, has not been more aggressive in establishing the basis for pursuing money from both insurance companies to offset the unintended consequences of the accident. What has the county or VDOT done to address the road's bad history for accidents, as stated by Deputy Brandon Handy?
Those would be the facts that I, as a reader, should expect to read. They would provoke readers to contact state and local officials whose interests include roads, courts, etc.,
Since the FLS has taken an interest in the case and made it a Sunday-morning front-page story, why doesn't it take the lead and establish a fund and make the first donation? I am confident that in the regional population there are enough folks willing to make a small donation that will help Griczins' recovery effort.
William Hanrahan
Stafford