Canadian In Big Trouble After Phuket Motobike Crash

[Pdoggg]

Lots of ways one can spin this story.  The Thais were 3 on a motobike.  But the Canadian has a history of drunk driving and attempted rape.

 

 

Just four hours after Jason Hoffman arrived in Phuket, Thailand in mid-April, he was involved in a serious scooter accident.

The Campbell River native, who now lives in Calgary, broke his leg and smashed his head in the crash. He later learned one of the three Thai nationals on the other scooter died, with the other two being sent to hospital.

Many of the details of the accident are still unknown to Hoffman and his family, according to older brother Clinton Hoffman. Jason only remembers getting on a scooter, getting into a collision and waking up in hospital, Clinton tells Global News.

Jason spent a few days convalescing in the hospital, where doctors operated on his leg, inserting a steel rod to stabilize his fractured femur. Then, Thai police showed up and transported him to prison.

“I was very concerned, obviously, for his health and safety,” says Clinton. The family contacted The Department of Foreign Affairs, asking them to get involved in the case. Eventually, Jason was released from prison after his friend posted bail, and he is now recovering from his injuries at a hostel.

Jason was told he must pay $100,000 in compensation for the accident, says Clinton, or else he could face prison and not be allowed to leave the country. The demand was made just days after the accident, before a complete investigation had occurred, he says.

“The facts and figures were thrown together it seemed,” says Jason, who notes the family is not sure if the money is going directly to the victims, or to compensate police and pay for medical treatments. Jason didn’t have emergency medical insurance.

“We really had no idea and no confidence to say what it was being used for.”

The family held a private fundraiser to get the money together, and Clinton is currently selling off some of his brother’s possessions and some of his own. “My  brother literally has nothing to his name,” says Clinton. The family has also set up a crowdfunding site and Jason says it’s important to them to properly compensate the victims.

“This is a terrible tragedy and while we do not feel it is right to put a price on such a awful thing or a life, we are banding together as a family to help raise the money,” it reads.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed to Global News that they are aware of a Canadian injured in Thailand and are in contact with the family, providing consular assistance.

http://globalnews.ca/news/1975760/campbell-river-family-raising-money-to-get-son-home-after-scooter-crash-in-thailand/

[Pdoggg]

He's on the National Sex Offender Registry

 

 

Drunk after a night of partying, Jason Hoffman tried to force himself on the 17-year-old girl sleeping on the couch at a friend’s house.

 

It was Sept. 1, 2008, shortly before his 25th birthday, when the muscular Hoffman climbed on top of the girl and began to grope her. At first she thought it was a friend, but when she quickly realized it was Hoffman, she immediately objected to his clumsy advances.

 

But Hoffman continued to sexually assault her, said Crown prosecutor Bruce Goddard on Wednesday in Campbell River provincial court. The incident was described at the low end of seriousness in sexual offences, but the ordeal had long-term effects on the girl. “It has changed her life. It was hard for her to deal with this,” noted Goddard. He added that she suffers from ongoing emotional and trust issues which affects her relationships with friends and romantic interests.

 

Hoffman was arrested after authorities were alerted, but he apparently didn’t take the charge seriously and claimed he didn’t use any force That finally changed, said defence lawyer Doug Marion, during his prolonged trial which began in November 2009, resumed in June 2010 and finally concluded with a guilty verdict last October. “He could see after the victim testified that it was not consensual,” Marion told Judge Alan Gould. The court heard that Hoffman was raised by a good family, but then began partying and drinking to excess.

 

Judge Gould remarked that Hoffman led a “charmed life” and avoided run-ins with the law until he committed the sexual assault. “This is a serious matter, sir…you really scared this girl,” the judge said.

 

However, following his arrest and release on bail, Hoffman abided by a no-alcohol condition. He also moved to Alberta to work and became involved in a healthy relationship. His current girlfriend sat in the public gallery during his sentencing and wiped away tears as the hearing proceeded. “I’m sorry for the harm I caused,” Hoffman told the court. According to forensic and pre-sentence reports, Hoffman is unlikely to reoffend provided he continue to take counselling.

 

He received a one-year conditional sentence, meaning he won’t serve any jail time as long as he follows the court’s orders.

 

That includes more counselling, a year of probation to follow the conditional sentence and no drinking. Hoffman was also ordered to provide a DNA sample to the national police registry and his name is now on the national sex offender registry.
 

 

www.campbellrivermirror.com/news/114741954.html

 

I believe this is his drunk driving conviction:

 

[dixon cox]

His family are trying to raise funds for him. You can see how that fund raising is progressing on youcaring.com ~ Interesting stuff on that comments page.

 
 

On April 16th, only 4 hours after arriving for a vacation in Thailand, Jason was in a terrible scooter accident which sadly has left one dead and another in critical condition. Jason himself has multiple broken bones and facial injuries. While the full details of this accident are still left somewhat unclear, the Thai police are holding Jason at fault and demanding he pay $80,000.00 in order to pay the victims families and police to leave Thailand. Without this Jason could face imprisonment and stay in Thailand. This is a terrible tragedy and while we do not feel it is right to put a price on such a awful thing or a life, we are banding together as a family to help raise the money.
Jason is our brother, son and boyfriend. He is missed by many and we just want him home as soon as we can so he can start his recovery safely in Canada.
Please respect the sensitivity of this matter for our families sake. Donate what you can. No amount is too little. And help us bring Jason home!!
- Love the Hoffman Family.

[JaiDee]

Seems his family can only raise a fraction of what's needed and have even sold off his vehicles and anything else they can to raise the cash.  I am sure if most of us had the same thing happen to us there would be people back home trying to raise the cash, but 100K is a lot. Methinks the families of the victims will drop that price by maybe half, but not for a long time.  He also has his own hospital bills to pay, plus a room and food, maybe a plane ride home, etc.....

 

The funding page is only at 13K, still has a ways to go.

 

Looks like his very first night on holiday he got tanked, drove, and hit another bike. Tragic way to start and end your vacation all at the same time.

[rxpharm]

Yes, it is tragic, but also clearly shows his lack of judgment. His history has several examples of this, and now he has to face the consequences - putting himself and his family into debt or time in jail. Hopefully he will learn a lesson and change his life, as the previous events did not.

[Jerrin09]

Yeah if he doesn’t learn now then only god can save him. I really don’t know why he doesn’t care for his life and for other people who love him. I have worked with a DUI attorney Los Angeles and know how drinking can ruin your life and he must consider himself lucky that still he has got a chance.