Deputy kills 2, 1 in critical cond.

[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.

[salsabike]

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.

Exactly. Every single word. Thank you.

[maillotpois]

V-

Ditto. Yup. You said it.

[jesvetmed]

Well said, Veronica.

I KNOW that I have been there -- falling asleep especially, being a night worker that lives 45 minutes from where I work. I think about this all of the time.

I sincerely HOPE this was purely accident, and not some choice made that changed the fate of the day -- as it is, pure accident will be a terrible thing for this deputy to live the rest of his life with.

KSH: I agree about how people look at cyclists... I can recall one day that someone in a pickup truck rolled down the window and yelled at me, "Get off the road! You're not a F*%$#G CAR!". That is how many people feel. Never mind, there is only two inches on the pavement past the white line before you hit the ditch! But when hit, it's suddenly our fault.

Thoughts go out to everyone -- this is truly devastating to all involved.
JES

[PinkBike]

thanks, V, that's beautiful

[Starfish]

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

As one who has made idiotic mistakes in this area, as well as many other areas, even these circumstances leave room for compassion.

[Veronica]

You're right SF. I personally just find those kind of choices harder to understand and forgive. Probably because I've been on the receiving end of people who made those choices already.

V.

[Starfish]

I've been on the receiving end of people who made those choices already. V.

Me, too. I'm sorry you've had that experience.

[mimitabby]

it is quite likely that if a car had been where the bikes were, the occupants of that vehicle would be dead too (and maybe the deputy as well!)

[trinena]

Here are two SF Chronicle articles that made the front page this morning. The second one has stats about the decrease of accidents but increase in fatalities. It also says that accidents in rural areas or open highways tend to involve higher speeds than urban areas and speed is the highest contributing factor for fatality in a bike collision.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl.../MNCTVH7DF.DTL

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

[Grog]

"The sheriff's deputy who drove his patrol car head-on into 3 California cyclists, killing 2, will be charged with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter, according to the San Jose Mercury News. This could result in a maximum sentence of 2 years in prison for the 27-year-old deputy, James Council. He apparently fell asleep at the wheel before hitting the riders. Killed were well-known NorCal racers Kristy Gough, 30, and Matt Peterson, 29. The third rider, 20-year-old Christopher Knapp of Germany, did not suffer life-threatening injuries. A report in cyclingnews.com says that Council had been convicted of street racing in Los Angeles when he was 20 and plea-bargained to have DUI charges dismissed. The Associated Press has reported that there was no evidence of alcohol being involved in the crash that killed the cyclists. The Cupertino City Council has approved a memorial plaque where the accident occurred, which is on one of the area's popular training roads."