Deputy kills 2, 1 in critical cond.

[trinena]

I was at my PT this morning and coming down the stairs I saw a framed picture of Kristy Gough (one of the cyclists killed). She had been treated there and it was pic of her at Ironman winning her age group.

It's all very upsetting including the news coverage and what they say about cyclists - one report said how sometimes cyclists ride next to one another and how dangerous, even though not illegal, this is. How is that conjecture even relevant?! That road they were on has a wide shoulder to ride on - it really is one of the least dangerous roads out there. I also don't understand why they have not released the name of the deputy and why a breathalyzer test wasn't administered.

[trinena]

article about Kristy

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl.../MNE8VH1CV.DTL

[sundial]

I really have to hand it to you guys that cycle in the large cities. I'm not so sure I would ride my road bike anymore. Now I understand why some abandon their road bikes for the mtb and trails.

[kelownagirl]

Another article.

XTri website

[maillotpois]

This article gives a great bio on both the cyclists:

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news.php?...ornia_deaths08

[arielmoon]

How very unfortunate for everyone involved!

I am glad they took the deputy from behind the wheel.

[Eden]

did they really though.... they took away his gun and his patrol car, but from what the article says, he probably still has his private license.... unless they expect to make him serve summonses by taking the bus.... Perhaps they should have demoted him and made him serve as a bicycle patrol officer.... (and never get his drivers license back! I totally believe that if you kill/maim negligently with a car you should lose the right to drive forever)

[Zen]

He still has a job with a $55,600 salary.
That's not punishment to me.

[kenyonchris]

did they really though.... they took away his gun and his patrol car, but from what the article says, he probably still has his private license.... unless they expect to make him serve summonses by taking the bus.... Perhaps they should have demoted him and made him serve as a bicycle patrol officer.... (and never get his drivers license back! I totally believe that if you kill/maim negligently with a car you should lose the right to drive forever)

Uh, being a bike officer is NOT a demotion. In fact, it is a PROMOTION.

In the state of Texas, if the cop was found guilty or convicted of manslaughter (which is what this would fall under in THIS state if he recklessly or negligently caused the death of those cyclists) he would LEGALLY no longer be a cop. I am NOT saying that that the death of ANYONE by ANYONE else is not tragic, it is. I am not saying that he was not at fault, I don't know that. But unless a judge and jury found him guilty of it (and, trust me, cops are not immune to both criminal and civil litigation JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE) he has the right to his freedom just like everyone else. Now, if it were MY department, I doubt he would still be employed for whatever policy violation he committed (we can break traffic laws when responding to calls, even if we are NOT running code with lights and sirens, as there are some times that that is necessary) but I didn't read anywhere that he was responding to a call. If he was typing on his computer, operating a cell phone, or just driving like crap in general, he would have been violating policy in my department and be subject to being fired for it regardless of the outcome of criminal and or civil court.

I cycle in the city, I drive in the city, and I am a cop in the city. There are risks associated with all three. Terrible, terrible accidents happen. Cops are human, they make driving errors just as doctors, lawyers and indian chiefs do. We DO talk on our cell phones, consult our computers for dispatch information and drop the dang radio handset and have to fish for it. We swat at bees. And I dare say that every single one of us are aware of the risks we take to ourselves and those we are trying to protect just in the performance of our jobs.

It isn't my job, nor do I have the desire, to defend this particular cop in this particular incident, hopefully if he was negligent, he will suffer the consequences (and there is a difference, legally, between KNOWINGLY, RECKLESSLY, and NEGLIGENTLY) professionally, and, if necessary, criminally. It can't bring back the lives he took, and that is a shame for all involved. Some corrupt departments may protect their own to such an extent, I guess, but with liability being what it is today, I can't imagine that being the case.

MY heart goes out to the cyclists, the families, and the cop who hit them (unless he KNOWINGLY hit them, which I didn't see any evidence of). There before the grace of God go I. And, as you guys are all human here, I hope you never turn around to see why your kid is crying and take your eyes off the road for a minute and hit someone. I hope you never talk on your cell phone, change the CD, swat at a fly, eat a cheeseburger, or spill a cold drink on your lap and mow over someone walking on the shoulder in your moment of inattention. Those things happen, if it happened to me I would NEVER be the same, regardless of whether I were in my personal car or in my patrol vehicle, trying to hurry to help someone in the night. You wouldn't have to take my gun and badge away to make that happen.

[KSH]

I really have to hand it to you guys that cycle in the large cities. I'm not so sure I would ride my road bike anymore. Now I understand why some abandon their road bikes for the mtb and trails.

Well, I ride in Dallas, TX. You just do what you gotta do. We ride in a group, but as this accident shows, safety isn't always in numbers.

Otherwise, the only 2 bike wrecks that I have had involved mud in the road and wind. The cyclists I know who have had wrecks... went down due to other cyclists. Not cars.

So yes, the city is dangerous but we do more harm to ourselves riding around here.

[DDH]

I can guarantee you that the officer will have to undergo drug testing.

I feel terrible for the families of all involved.

I'm not niave enough to think that all officers are good and above reproach, but being married to one and having first hand knowledge of all they go through and put up with, I do know that most new officers are in the job because they want to do good and help people and this would be the last thing any of them would want to have to live with.

I am saddened that the media and others want to point blame at the cyclist.
It seems to most definetly be the officers fault regardless the reason, and something he will have to live with always.
These accidents, when accidents are what they truly are, are horrible for anyone involved regardless if they are an officer or just somebody's mother or father.

[Geonz]

The "accidental" part is when a driver actually hits somebody.

The choice made to use electronics or to drive when drowsy... that's no accident. THat's done on purpose.

When we make choices that significantly increase the risk to others on our paths... we need to be held responsible for the consequences of those choices. He can't give back the lives, but I would suggest - shocking as it may be - that he shouldn't be burdened with the responsibility of driving and we shouldn't be burdened with the danger of him driving (unless, somehow, it's found that oh, a bird flew through an open window, struck him on the head and rendered him unconscoius... *that* would be an accident.)

[Veronica]

I spent my ride today thinking about this.

Is there anyone who can honestly say they have never done something stupid or been inattentive in a car? I know I can't. I know there have been times when I've done something and thought, "Wow, I'm glad nobody else was around because that could have been ugly." I'm so thankful that I have been lucky.

What I'm going to take from this is the reminder that life is precious. I want to be more careful with what I do, not just in my car, but in general. I want to spend my time on this earth wisely. Maybe be a little nicer... a little kinder... do I really need to be so sarcastic at staff meetings? more thoughtful of others. We're all on this world together. Maybe I can do more to make it a better place.

The deputy has to live with this forever. He's only 27. If he's a decent, compassionate man, he's going to be suffering for a long time because he screwed up and he didn't get lucky and have no one around. I doubt it was in his plan for the day to have that happen.

When I have a perfect day, maybe I can rest in judgement on him.

V.

PS If it turns out that he was on drugs or alcohol, then I take back everything I just said.

[emily_in_nc]

So yes, the city is dangerous but we do more harm to ourselves riding around here.

Yes, and crashes can happen anywhere. My serious bike wreck in April 2005 happened in an extremely rural area, no cars on the road at all, just two big dogs that ran out right for me. I actually feel safer in the city sometimes, as I know the chances of dogs running freely is much less, and cars sometimes don't worry me as much as dogs, due to my experience.

This is very sad news indeed...

Emily

[Jones]

I totally agree with Veronica on this one. I really feel for the family's of the couple that were killed but I feel equally sorry for the cop. Twenty-seven, first year on the job, his life is over now too. I will keep all involved in my thoughts and prayers.