I've witnessed two horrific wrecks and been a witness for the cops one of those times. There's a time and a place for projecting your importance as an individual, but assisting someone else in an accident is not one such time. Do what you can until the authorities arrive and be helpful and respectful, and for fuck's sake, follow directions.
Obviously the cops should have handled the situation better, but the mature response would be to walk away.
So, in effect the correct response for seeing someone you happen to know get hurt in the US is "don't give a toss". As if caring for someone was a crime in itself?
You're kidding, right? Obviously the correct response when you see someone get hurt (btw, the author of the article did not know either of the people who got hurt in the bicycle accident; he asked them what their names were) is to assist them and call 911 if necessary. Nobody is saying otherwise--unless you count the author of the article himself, who at the end says that calling 911 is often a bad idea (which I don't agree with).
Cops here are imperfect, corrupt and what not. That being said, I'm very happy I live in a place where I would not be arrested in these circumstances. It is kind of cool that I do not have choice between clearing the place immediately when cops come in and being arrested.
Cops here seem to be used that people stop on streets to watch what is going on. They also seem to be able to make people leave (when they jam the place) without arresting them for first slight tiny hint of possible disobedience.
Obviously the cops should have handled the situation better, but the mature response would be to walk away.