In the world of video games, we can ignore traffic laws and drive without consequences. In case of dying in the attempt, the only penalty is restarting the game at the last save point. Real life, however, is very different, and a reckless driving accident can be fatal.
This is what Mitchell Kurtis Anderson, a reckless driver who endangered his life and others, discovered in the worst way. The reason? He thought he was a character in a game and could come back from death.
Dangerous Driver Thought He Was a Video Game Character and Unleashed Chaos
In November 2021, the 27-year-old man was reported for erratic driving, as he crossed lanes, mounted curbs, and nearly hit a pedestrian. Reports mention 3 separate phone calls that alerted the authorities in North Vancouver, Canada, about the suspect's behavior.
The first call explained that the driver invaded the sidewalk, almost hit a person, and stopped in the middle of an intersection. The witness stated that the suspect ignored warnings from other drivers and seemed out of control.
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The second witness claims that the driver was driving between lanes and almost collided with other vehicles. The third call came 20 minutes later, reporting a car that mounted the curb and then headed to a nearby park.
Both the second and third calls mentioned a blue Honda. The police arrived at the scene and found the vehicle, whose description and license plates matched the reports, in a small ditch near Lynn Valley Road. Mitchell Kurtis Anderson was inside.
Mitchell Kurtis Anderson's Sentence Revealed for Driving Like He Was in a Game
During the trial that took place on January 9th, the judge sentenced Mitchell Kurtis Anderson, who pleaded guilty. Prosecutor Samantha Norton recalled that the incident took place more than 2 years ago, on November 17, 2021.
Defense attorney Kyla Lee emphasized that her client had a difficult childhood, including the use of alcohol and other substances from an early age. She argued that, at the time of the incident, the 27-year-old man used drugs to combat his depression, leading him into a "rabbit hole" of delusions.
According to Kyla Lee, Mitchell Kurtis Anderson believed he "lived in a computer simulator and that if he died, he would simply respawn at a different point, and his life would be better." She also explained that her client attended Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous sessions since the incident and plans to return to school.
When delivering the sentence, Judge Joseph Galati acknowledged that the driver's on-road behavior was dangerous but noted that the suspect took steps to rehabilitate himself since the incident.
"Some people might say that by driving the way he did and endangering both people's lives and property, he doesn't deserve to avoid a criminal record. Fortunately for you, I'm not in that group of people," the judge stated.
Mitchell Kurtis Anderson avoided a criminal record and will only be prohibited from driving for 12 months while serving a year of probation. Two charges of driving under the influence and refusing to undergo a breathalyzer test were also dropped.
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