I was able to catch up with Chester and was able to get him to agree to an interview on Skype with Bes Zain. Below is the transcript of the interview.
The Interview
Ronald Huereca, HOST: Thank you Bes and Chester for both agreeing to meet me on Skype. I wanted to get you both on here to get both your sides of what happened. I’ll start with you Bes. Could you please describe what happened?
Bes Zain, Defendant who almost ran over Chester the Squirrel: I was driving along and I saw a nut on the road. All of a sudden a squirrel jumps out on the road and I slam on my brakes to avoid killing the squirrel. Luckily I was able to swerve my car and miss him, but my car incurred some damage as a result of the sudden stop.
Ronald Huereca: And it is my understanding that you are currently suing Chester for damages?
Bes Zain: My lawyer has advised me that I am unable to comment on pending litigation.
Ronald Huereca: Understood. Chester, what happened on your end?
Chester the Squirrel, almost crushed by Bes Zain’s car: Let’s just make something clear Ronald. Bes was clearly driving recklessly down the road aiming for a nut, as he admitted himself. I had just happened to be gathering food…
Bes Zain: I’m sorry? Gathering food? You were in the middle of the road.
Chester: As I was saying before Bes interrupted… I was gathering food and then I heard the heavy sound of a car engine racing towards me.
Ronald Huereca: Bes, do you want to comment on that? Chester has filed a lawsuit for negligence and now he’s accusing you of reckless driving.
Bes Zain: Chester clearly doesn’t know what he’s talking about. I was driving at a reasonable speed…
Chester: So reasonable that you ruined your brakes trying to stop?
Bes Zain: … a reasonable speed when some squirrel with a death wish just hops right in front of traffic…
Chester: Hops right in front of traffic? I’m not suicidal. I was gathering…
Bes Zain: Look I’m not the one…
(CROSSTALK)
Bes Zain: … not the one who was acting idiotic and running in the middle of the road for a nut.
Ronald Huereca: So Chester, you are also suffering from post traumatic stress from the event?
Chester: Yes. I now have a phobia of climbing trees and entering public roadways. I can no longer function properly as a citizen and am currently going to a therapist twice a week. I can no longer work and am taking medication for depression.
Ronald Huereca: Bes, did you know Chester was going through such pain?
(unintelligible)
Chester: My lawyer and I agreed that suing for damages was in the best interest of my behalf as well as all the other squirrels out there that are in constant danger in public from figures such as Mr. Zain.
Bes Zain: Look. I wasn’t trying to run you over. I was trying to crush the nut. You jumped into the middle of the ro…
Chester: I was getting food!
Bes Zain: … road like an imbecile…
Ronald Huereca: I have an audio clip from Mr. Zain’s lawyer who made a few comments regarding the lawsuit filed by Chester.
(Begin audio clip)
Voice of Bes Zain’s Lawyer: Mr. Chester’s case is clearly without merit. My client, Mr. Zain, was driving normally on a public roadway when Mr. Chester illegally began crossing into the roadway to gather food. My hope is that the judge will throw the complaint out since any reasonable person would conclude that gathering food on a public roadway not only endangers that person, but endangers the lives and property of others.
(End audio clip)
Ronald Huereca: Any response to the audio clip played Chester?
Chester: I am simply appalled. A reasonable person would conclude that gathering food endangers myself and others? Since when? I never had a problem gathering food in the middle of the street until Bes came along.
Ronald Huereca: Bes, if there was one thing you could change about this whole situation, what would it be?
Bes Zain: I wouldn’t have braked.
Ronald Huereca: Last word Mr. Chester.
Chester: I find Bes Zain to be highly arrogant, reckless, and without remorse. I will be glad when the judge rules in my favor.
Ronald Huereca: Thank you Mr. Zain and Mr. Chester for agreeing to this interview. Until next time.
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