Another car hitting cyclists - this time, it's me!

[mimitabby]

how you doing today Mary? How's Linda?

[MM_QFC!]

Greetings and salutations!
I saw my dr yesterday...will need to get MRIs for my knee and elbow...both really messed up and knee is infected too, so I got on antibiotics ASAP. Linda is going to her doc this morning; she's having lots of back and rib cage pain...she landed on her back and felt as though she skidded a bit too after the impact.
Our attorney spoke with 3 of the 5 witnesses last night (he had to coach a soccer game and he was bike commuting, so we met with him for most of the afternoon until he had to bolt; but he went back to the office after, last night so that he could call and speak with them). All gave similar statements about the driver's speed; one man who was walking his dog on the trail, remembered that Linda and I stopped and chatted with him and his cute little papillon dog...he heard a scream and turned around to see "1 cyclist doing a cartwheel in the air (most likely Linda) as he said the other was flying through the air and disappeared on the other side of the car (me)...
The driver was released from jail on Monday, but toxicology tests are happening per what the prosecuting attorney called and told me yesterday. That's the criminal part of the proceedings that he'll be pursuing...he said that our county doesn't prosecute as vehicular assault which is the felony if there are no broken bones and the ER x-rays taken don't show any.
He will discuss other misdemeanor charges with our lawyer, but that's apart from our medical and property (have I said how heartbroken I am about my precious Seven, yet??? ) issues. The police took tons of pics of both the accident scene, have 5 statements from the witnesses and pics of our broken bikes too, so our attorney will be in touch with them as to when we can get our bikes back too.
Thanks again for your kind messages...I've been sharing all with Linda too and we're hanging in there...although we did have to cancel dinner plans to celebrate our 2nd anniv tonight ...yesterday was my son's birthday and tomorrow is actually Linda's birthday, so it's a very different week than what I had planned...had to cancel our plans to ride in the Little Red Riding Hood in Utah too
Tailwinds to all!
Mary

[Zen]

... our county doesn't prosecute as vehicular assault which is the felony if there are no broken bones...

That is one of the stupidest laws ever.
And it sucks.
Two people hit, one cartwheels through the air and one is thrown out of sight and that's not an assault?
cheezus

[Trek420]

That is one of the stupidest laws ever.
And it sucks.
Two people hit, one cartwheels through the air and one is thrown out of sight and that's not an assault?
cheezus

Ah, but under civil law there are probably options.

I can't even imagine what goes through the mind at that moment and I've been hit myself but not like that.

[Red Rock]

I am sorry to hear this and that you are doing well. I/we all hope that you are able to recover well. Even more so, that you will be able to get a better Seven bike out of this.

Best wishes with all of the healing and dealing with hospital and legalitities.

[MM_QFC!]

Ah, but under civil law there are probably options.

I can't even imagine what goes through the mind at that moment and I've been hit myself but not like that.

well, time was suspended for me...felt like forever when I glanced over and saw her car coming so fast at me...I thought I was dead, f'sure...then the thought of being painfully mangled up in my bike took its place...neither very pleasant...but it turned out great as far as those 2 thoughts go!

yep, the prosecutor and I briefly discussed the options, but I'll let my knowledgeable attorney discuss it more...she's not the registered owner of the car - if her nephew was in the back seat and a woman's name is noted as the registered owner, I'm guessing that she's in big trouble with her sister or s-in-l too...one witness referred to her (in his statement) as the 'defendant' and said that she passed him (he stopped in the line of cars in the lane closest to us) about 1/4 mile back going @40mph, he estimates. Every witness mentioned her excessive speed and how she skidded into us and still either "sent those bikers flying" or "mowed down the cyclists" - both too true.
and Trek - per your auto-sig: I may not get to ride the Empire State AIDS ride, as I was training and hoping to do, but I AM GOING...Linda too. We're both still fundraising for it and we'll rehab and recover in lieu of training at this point, I guess. We'll rent a car and be road support for our rider buddies all week. Had to cxl going to the Little Red Riding Hood ride next month too
Going to my sports med doc at Univ WA tomorrow, as I'm concerned that per the cellulitis, they made need to open my knee up and clean it out, ya think?

[redrhodie]

Mary, it's so good that you're writing all this down here. It may come in useful later, when memory fades (which will be a blessing, btw). I hate that this happened to you, but your descriptions are riveting. The slow motion speeding car coming towards you is spectacularly frightening. I'm so glad you're okay, and hope she pays dearly, and most importanly, loses her license and NEVER drives again.