I owe PennDOT money, need help

[mtlca308]

What is the name of your state?Pennsylvania

I was involved in a car accident in March of 2004. Basically I lost control on the onramp of a highway because the road was covered in snow and struck a tractor trailer which then struck a lamp post, knocking it down. I was driving my friend's car, both him and myself had insurance. The insurance companies came together and settled with the other driver over the course of the year.
In April of 2005 I received a bill from PennDOT for over $1700 for the busted lamp post. I contacted my insurance company(which I no longer have) andthey informed me that the settlement for the other driver was already over the limit for both insurance companies and that there was no more money. Inthe past few months I have kept in communication with a person from the comptrollers office about setting up a payment plan to cover the damages. I recently received a letter (forwarded from my old address) from the attorney generals office saying that they had attempted to contacted me several times and if I did not pay they would issue a writ of execution. I sent a letter to them with my new address and the contact information of the person in the comprollers office I am speaking to.

Since I am a part time college student who works part time, enough to cover rent, food and other expenses.I don't have a car, savings or any real assets to speak of, etc... I wanted to know what can they do to me? I really can't afford to pay but this has been going on for over 18 months and I just want to put that accident behind me. Is there a certain amount of time that afterwards they will just write this off as a bad debt expense? Any help or advise would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time,
Patrick