5 dead, 4 injured after truck plows into bicyclists in Michigan

[OakLeaf]

Meantime, in my town, a first-offense drunk driver who blew a stop sign and seriously injured two people (including her passenger) was just sentenced to four years. Everyone in that case was in a motor vehicle.

Bet this guy doesn't get half that.

[emily_in_nc]

As Eden syas, it was intentional, but if he had walked out on the street and shot people with a gun, it would have made headline news in every news outlet instead of just being page two material. That, and having lived in the Chicago area, I know full well how some drivers hate bicyclists. It's a very tiny minority of motorists, of course, but they are out there and we need to be aware of it.

I disagree that this was "page two material". It made the nightly national news (not just local). I was very heartened to see how much coverage it got amidst all the political and other "important" national news. I heard about it on the news for three days running, which is pretty good for any story that doesn't involve a celebrity or politician!

[Helene2013]

It made the news in Montréal too and opened a big discussion in French as well.

[north woods gal]

Well, there you go. I don't watch the news like I probably should and seldom watch TV. Didn't mean to downplay the incident, of course. Apologize if it came off that way.

[zoom-zoom]

Meantime, in my town, a first-offense drunk driver who blew a stop sign and seriously injured two people (including her passenger) was just sentenced to four years. Everyone in that case was in a motor vehicle.

Bet this guy doesn't get half that.

I think this guy is going to be hit relatively hard, actually. 5 counts of 2nd degree MURDER...not the more expected/typical negligent vehicular homicide charges. On top of that the 4 additional reckless driving counts.

I just hope this process moves along with more speed than the conviction of the guy who killed an ODRAM rider, last Aug. (hit and run with a super sleazy defense attorney). That has still not been resolved. And in that case I suspect the driver will be let off lightly, unfortunately. I can't even begin to imagine how difficult it will be selecting a jury in this high profile case, though. I don't personally know anyone who would not be struck.

[zoom-zoom]

Bicycling's report.

[emily_in_nc]

Bicycling's report.

Thanks for sharing, zoom-zoom. So glad that this horrific tragedy is being taken as seriously as it should be.