- A pregnant woman is run down by teens out joyriding leaving Sgt Friday and his fellow officer Smith to track down those responsible. They find that kids are uncooperative, refusing to inform on their friends.
- Season 4 Episode 18 Synopsis - The Big Rod 12-30-54 Friday, Smith were working the day-watch out of Accident Investigation Hit-Run-Felony, the boss is Captain Calfy. A young woman had been run down, seriously injured, the driver had escaped and disappeared into the city. They interview a witness of the hit-and-run, Miriam Hunter, describing the car as maybe a Ford, beat-up model, 1941 year, dual exhausts, driver was 19-20, male. The accident victim was Helen Chapman, struck in the intersection by the hot-rod, driven by a young male. The car had a mini-plate on it, identifying it by the word wheels, a club membership plate.
Friday, Smith visit Dr. Hall, at the hospital, he says the woman has such severe injuries, she is not expected to live. Her husband, Carl Chapman, is in the waiting room. The woman is unable to see the police. Friday, Smith try talking with Mr. Chapman, he is beside himself, with his wife's condition, very curt with the police officers. The doctor interrupts their conversation, Friday, Smith wait in the hall, the doctor tells Chapman his wife and unborn child died; she was seven months along, he tells the officers.
The head of the National Hot Rod Association give Friday, Smith information on the wheel plate identification. They visit the local club president, Al Doolin. He states the car the officers are describing is a wreck, beat-up condition, that is not a club car. They are required to be free of damage, as clean as the one he shows the officers in the shop. The name of the club is the Square Wheels Club. Friday, Smith talk to members, asking for their help identifying the non-member hot-rod that killed the pregnant lady.
Al Doolin calls HQ, telling Friday all members are looking for the car. The accident scene investigators lab police identified the broken glass from a 1940 Ford. There were no tire-marks from the use of brakes used, the only tire marking were from the car making a fast exit from the scene.
Friday takes a call, they found the car. A patrol officer spotted a vehicle matching the description, busted headlight, scratched bumper, parked at the curb, nobody had come for it. It also had the club plate identification hanging on its back bumper, below the state plate. The registered owner was a Gregory Moore, while the crime lab went over the car, Friday, Smith went out to Moore's address to talk to him.
Charles, the manager of the rooming house, said Moore had come home that afternoon, packed his belongings, and left the house. The crime lab established Moore's car ran down the Chapman girl. The suspect's room was searched, discarded match-books from a bar were found in the wastebasket. The bar was closed for the night.
The next morning, the officers visit the bar, grill the uncooperative bartender-owner, Sam. He knows the suspect, he gave refuge to the suspect at his place for the night. The bar-owner was kept under surveillance by a team of officers to prevent from contacting the suspected killer; Friday, Smith headed over to confront the suspect. Smith opens the unlocked door, finding the suspect passed out on the bed. Friday says let's wake him up. They wake him and cuff him; down to HQ for a talk.
Suspect was brought to the squad room, the witness identified him as the man hitting the woman. Throughout the interrogation the suspect refused to say anything. Carl Chapman, victim's spouse, enters the squad room, tells the kid he would have killed him if he were not in custody. Chapman leaves, Friday grills the kid hard, afterwards, telling him to get on his feet.
The suspect was tried and found guilty of manslaughter, on count, and received sentenced as prescribed by law. Manslaughter is punishable by imprisonment not to exceed five years. Gregory Moore is now serving his term in the State Penitentiary, San Quentin, CA.
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