OMG..no.... Two local cyclists killed..third seriously wounded

[Tuckervill]

Yes, it was Cindy and Doug--I hesitate to put out their last names, but that should be enough for anyone who knows them.

Karen

[twin]

I am shocked at this horrific situation. We need to change our laws and the driver needs to pay for this crime. I am so sorry for the family and friends of these riders. I used to live in Tulsa and I am very familar with the area they were riding. It is an area that is ridden my many many cyclist. Its just so sad. In Norman a cyclist a few weeks ago was hit by a truck and has 16 broken bones and will have many surgeries and difficult days ahead. So so sad.

[BabyBlueNTulsa]

Yes, it was Cindy and Doug--I hesitate to put out their last names, but that should be enough for anyone who knows them.

Karen

Thanks Karen.

I went by the ghost bikes yesterday (Monday) and spent a little time thinking about/praying for them. It was more cathardic (sp?) than I thought itd be. People had been leaving pictures, Gu packets, Tulsa Tough cowbells, flowers and other momentos. Very touching. Before I left, I took a knee, crossed myself and said my goodbyes.

It should not have been...but we must all go on riding.

There is a group, Im' sure, who are planning to help push for stricter laws. I'm definitely going to join them and do anything I can to help.

P.S. Also nice to note... ALL cars gave us wide berth yesterday - everywhere.

[PscyclePath]

Matt had many friends here in the central Arkansas cycling community as well... I'm sorry that I didn't know him, but that's one of the problems we have with our short stay in this life.

I spent the early morning hour planting a ghost bike for a rider we lost here last weekend... Another young feller who left a grieving wife and three little kids behind. It'll take a little lead time, but one thing I've resolved to do before I pedal off this mortal coil is to work for a vulnerable user law here in Arkansas, and help close off an avenue to what is, in essence, legal murder by vehicle.

[kenyonchris]

Matt had many friends here in the central Arkansas cycling community as well... I'm sorry that I didn't know him, but that's one of the problems we have with our short stay in this life.

I spent the early morning hour planting a ghost bike for a rider we lost here last weekend... Another young feller who left a grieving wife and three little kids behind. It'll take a little lead time, but one thing I've resolved to do before I pedal off this mortal coil is to work for a vulnerable user law here in Arkansas, and help close off an avenue to what is, in essence, legal murder by vehicle.

I feel so badly for the families of these poor riders. It is tragic. Trust me, I am the FIRST to be incredibly frustrated with the legal system in prosecuting DWIs. I very recently went to court on an arrest I made almost a year ago at 7PM, the woman was going 54 in a 45, swerving in and out of traffic (driving behavior caught on my dash cam as well). I did the field sobriety and she failed miserably...she looked jacked up on video, she sounded it, she smelled like it, her eyes bounced around like ping pong balls (something only head trauma or some depressants (ie alcohol) can induce). She had an open container in her car. I arrested her. At the jail, I asked her if she wished to submit a sample of her breath....it is optional, a subject does not have to. She wanted my advice on whether or not she SHOULD, and of course, made very little sense, being very drunk. I could not advise her if she should or should not, of course, i just informed her of what would happen if she did, what would happen if she did not (her license is suspended if she does not, while the case awaits prosecution, if she blows over.08 it is suspended. If she blows under, she is released). She finally said, "I am not drunk, go ahead take my blood." I was asking for breath, not blood. The jury thought I should have taken the blood she offered, even though that is not policy or law. Blood samples are taken if we suspect drugs or other substances, not alcohol. She was found not guilty on this technicality. UGH!!!!!!!!! That should NOT happen.

Having said that, I still ride my bike. I know that I am vulnerable, to drunk drivers, distracted drivers, teenage drivers, stupid drivers, sleepy drivers, blind turns, my own dumb stupidity, rocks, cracks, flats, mechanical failures on cars, mechanical failures on my bike. If I am unlucky enough to be hit, negligently or accidentally, at least I have lived a full, active life. It doesn't make it any better, but those people are out there, I work to take them off the streets every single day, and I will NOT be held hostage by them. If I encounter one on my bike and come out the loser for it, then I was doing something I love and refuse to give up even though the other half exists and always will, no matter how many people I stop, warn, caution, cite, arrest, and testify against. My own risk and vulnerability is something I accept, it doesn't make tragic outcomes any less tragic, but I would hope the my loved ones knew that I loved what I do every time I get on a bike and venture out there...

[BabyBlueNTulsa]

KC, I'd like to shake your hand AND give you a huge bear hug. Well said..and Thank You for helping to try getting these lowlife people off the road.

I feel so badly for the families of these poor riders. It is tragic. Trust me, I am the FIRST to be incredibly frustrated with the legal system in prosecuting DWIs. I very recently went to court on an arrest I made almost a year ago at 7PM, the woman was going 54 in a 45, swerving in and out of traffic (driving behavior caught on my dash cam as well). I did the field sobriety and she failed miserably...she looked jacked up on video, she sounded it, she smelled like it, her eyes bounced around like ping pong balls (something only head trauma or some depressants (ie alcohol) can induce). She had an open container in her car. I arrested her. At the jail, I asked her if she wished to submit a sample of her breath....it is optional, a subject does not have to. She wanted my advice on whether or not she SHOULD, and of course, made very little sense, being very drunk. I could not advise her if she should or should not, of course, i just informed her of what would happen if she did, what would happen if she did not (her license is suspended if she does not, while the case awaits prosecution, if she blows over.08 it is suspended. If she blows under, she is released). She finally said, "I am not drunk, go ahead take my blood." I was asking for breath, not blood. The jury thought I should have taken the blood she offered, even though that is not policy or law. Blood samples are taken if we suspect drugs or other substances, not alcohol. She was found not guilty on this technicality. UGH!!!!!!!!! That should NOT happen.

Having said that, I still ride my bike. I know that I am vulnerable, to drunk drivers, distracted drivers, teenage drivers, stupid drivers, sleepy drivers, blind turns, my own dumb stupidity, rocks, cracks, flats, mechanical failures on cars, mechanical failures on my bike. If I am unlucky enough to be hit, negligently or accidentally, at least I have lived a full, active life. It doesn't make it any better, but those people are out there, I work to take them off the streets every single day, and I will NOT be held hostage by them. If I encounter one on my bike and come out the loser for it, then I was doing something I love and refuse to give up even though the other half exists and always will, no matter how many people I stop, warn, caution, cite, arrest, and testify against. My own risk and vulnerability is something I accept, it doesn't make tragic outcomes any less tragic, but I would hope the my loved ones knew that I loved what I do every time I get on a bike and venture out there...

[kenyonchris]

KC, I'd like to shake your hand AND give you a huge bear hug. Well said..and Thank You for helping to try getting these lowlife people off the road.

Come to the HHH and its a deal!!

[andtckrtoo]

In light of this thread - I was rather appalled at this conviction - http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/06/16/...lea/index.html

How can he get 30 days in jail and house arrest, but still be able to play NFL football (oh yeah, and that "painful" $2500 to MAAD)?

And we wonder why people such as the woman who hit these cyclists don't think at all about drinking and driving?

[OakLeaf]

Heck, the woman who killed the rider on TOSRV and then took off last year, only got 60 days, and she wasn't even famous. Sadly, I don't think Stallworth got preferential treatment.

[jobob]

Having said that, I still ride my bike. I know that I am vulnerable, to drunk drivers, distracted drivers, teenage drivers, stupid drivers, sleepy drivers, blind turns, my own dumb stupidity, rocks, cracks, flats, mechanical failures on cars, mechanical failures on my bike. If I am unlucky enough to be hit, negligently or accidentally, at least I have lived a full, active life. It doesn't make it any better, but those people are out there, I work to take them off the streets every single day, and I will NOT be held hostage by them. If I encounter one on my bike and come out the loser for it, then I was doing something I love and refuse to give up even though the other half exists and always will, no matter how many people I stop, warn, caution, cite, arrest, and testify against. My own risk and vulnerability is something I accept, it doesn't make tragic outcomes any less tragic, but I would hope the my loved ones knew that I loved what I do every time I get on a bike and venture out there...

Wow. Very, very well said.