Deputy kills 2, 1 in critical cond.

[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.

[aka_kim]

These two articles were on the front page of the local paper today ... odd, since they usually ignore anything cycling related.

Riders' deaths rattle cyclists in Bay Area
Accident a reminder to respect center stripe

[KSH]

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.

His life is not over. He might pay a fine (maybe $200? something really low)... and that will be it.

You see, when a driver in a car hits and kills a cyclist, they are NOT brought up on involuntary manslaughter charges. That would only happen if he had hit and killed another person in a car.

That's where our laws really fail people.

[Veronica]

His life is not over. He might pay a fine (maybe $200? something really low)... and that will be it.

You see, when a driver in a car hits and kills a cyclist, they are NOT brought up on involuntary manslaughter charges. That would only happen if he had hit and killed another person in a car.

That's where our laws really fail people.

What does money or jail time really do? I think the mental anguish he 's going to have is quite a lot of punishment. But if I ran the world... I would also make him to do community service giving speeches to groups about being more mindful of what you do.

V.

[mimitabby]

I find it ironic that after noticing that he killed somebody; he said "My life is over!" not "oh those poor people, what did i do?!"

[LBTC]

I find it ironic that after noticing that he killed somebody; he said "My life is over!" not "oh those poor people, what did i do?!"

Did he? oh!

I'm sending loads of butterflies down there....to the families of everyone involved, to the cyclist still in the hospital, to all the cyclists in the area, and to all the drivers in the area to help them realize that cyclists have as much right to be on the road as they do, and they should be treated with the same respect as cars are.

Hugs to all of you TE'ers in the SF Bay area,
~T~

[wackyjacky1]

You see, when a driver in a car hits and kills a cyclist, they are NOT brought up on involuntary manslaughter charges. That would only happen if he had hit and killed another person in a car.

Oy, I never thought of that. Argh!

[DDH]

His life is not over. He might pay a fine (maybe $200? something really low)... and that will be it.

You see, when a driver in a car hits and kills a cyclist, they are NOT brought up on involuntary manslaughter charges. That would only happen if he had hit and killed another person in a car.

That's where our laws really fail people.

Involuntary manslaughter charges are given to drivers who kills another in a vehicle. Anyone driving drunk and killing someone in the process or if it is proven that the person is driving reckless are charged with that very thing.

MANSLAUGHTER, INVOLUNTARY - In order for a person to be found guilty of involuntary manslaughter the government must prove that someone was killed as a result of an act by the person;

Second, in the circumstances existing at the time, the person's act either was by its nature dangerous to human life or was done with reckless disregard for human life; and

Third, the person either knew that such conduct was a threat to the lives of others or knew of circumstances that would reasonably cause the person to foresee that such conduct might be a threat to the lives of others.

[maillotpois]

You see, when a driver in a car hits and kills a cyclist, they are NOT brought up on involuntary manslaughter charges. That would only happen if he had hit and killed another person in a car.

Is this true? I don't see how you can make a distinction between car/bike for the victim. (Granted we didn't specifically address this issue in crim law and I'm dating myself to say how long ago I was in law school... ).

[GeoCam]

Sarah - I'm not going to say how long ago I was in law school either, but this statement really struck me as well and I had to go look it up.

Obviously, each state will have its own penal code, but at least for Texas and California, the statute says only "death of an individual" or "killing of a human being." It makes no difference whether the victim was in a car or on a bike.

Is this true? I don't see how you can make a distinction between car/bike for the victim. (Granted we didn't specifically address this issue in crim law and I'm dating myself to say how long ago I was in law school... ).

[invsblwmn]

Driving a car (AKA wielding a dangerous weapon) has far too long been considered a right rather than a priviledge by the general public. Any time that a person gets behind the wheel of a motorized vehicle (certainly one 1/2 ton or more) we need to take responsibility for control of that weapon and for the consequences of our choices (careless, reckless, or sleep related) while using it.
Our laws protect the rights of drivers, period. I was hit in a pedestrian crosswalk by an 80 year old man in Sept. 07 who was driving a SUV 40MPH plus in a 25MPH zone and charged with running a red light. He got an $150 ticket. He had a DUI in 2007 as well and was still driving legally. Guess what?? He is STILL driving legally.
I got a 2 1/2 week hospital stay, a couple of plates in my arm, rental wheelchairs, pain galore and a big wake up call.
No judgement on the young man here. He just should not have the right to drive for at least a period of time. What should occur is mandatory retraining, community service, restitution to the families (financial/in therapy, or however they see fit), and his prooving that he can consistantly handle this weapon PRIOR to his being allowed the priviledge of driving.
Two people are dead. They were following the law. Many of the news articles are about riding bikes safely. Give me a break. What about focusing on DRIVING safely??
Maybe this is a little personal for me, but anytime someone gets hurt consequences need to be a little heavier than guilt and a traffic ticket. Our roads are safer when drivers are safer.

[mimitabby]

Driving a car (AKA wielding a dangerous weapon) has far too long been considered a right rather than a priviledge by the general public. Any time that a person gets behind the wheel of a motorized vehicle (certainly one 1/2 ton or more) we need to take responsibility for control of that weapon and for the consequences of our choices (careless, reckless, or sleep related) while using it.
Our laws protect the rights of drivers, period. I was hit in a pedestrian crosswalk by an 80 year old man in Sept. 07 who was driving a SUV 40MPH plus in a 25MPH zone and charged with running a red light. He got an $150 ticket. He had a DUI in 2007 as well and was still driving legally. Guess what?? He is STILL driving legally.
I got a 2 1/2 week hospital stay, a couple of plates in my arm, rental wheelchairs, pain galore and a big wake up call.
No judgement on the young man here. He just should not have the right to drive for at least a period of time. What should occur is mandatory retraining, community service, restitution to the families (financial/in therapy, or however they see fit), and his prooving that he can consistantly handle this weapon PRIOR to his being allowed the priviledge of driving.
Two people are dead. They were following the law. Many of the news articles are about riding bikes safely. Give me a break. What about focusing on DRIVING safely??
Maybe this is a little personal for me, but anytime someone gets hurt consequences need to be a little heavier than guilt and a traffic ticket. Our roads are safer when drivers are safer.

++++