Share the Road
June 9, 2011 10:09 AM Subscribe
Jan Morgan, owner of Boardtown Bikes in Starkville, MS was bicycle training for a triathlon on May 22nd when she was struck from behind by a vehicle. Her husband David has been blogging about her condition.
The details of the crash have led to a resurgence in interest in bicycle awareness in MS, and beyond. Please be aware of the laws in your state, and always wear a helmet.
The details of the crash have led to a resurgence in interest in bicycle awareness in MS, and beyond. Please be aware of the laws in your state, and always wear a helmet.
This post was deleted for the following reason: This is a terrible thing that happened but more "cars r coffins" posts about bad bike/car accidents may be editorializing in a good way but it's still a sort of outragefilter post where it's not clear what there is to talk about. -- jessamyn
The cyclist was then thrown to the asphalt when V1 stopped. The driver of V1 exited the vehicle and observed the cyclist while talking on the phone. D1 (driver one) then reentered her vehicle and ran the cyclist over again before being forced from her vehicle by a witness.
Jesus, what kind of psychopath runs over their victim again? I hope he's not an investment banker, so he'll actually go to prison.
posted by stavrogin at 10:17 AM on June 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
Jesus, what kind of psychopath runs over their victim again? I hope he's not an investment banker, so he'll actually go to prison.
posted by stavrogin at 10:17 AM on June 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
From the article: "D1 (driver one) then reentered her vehicle and ran the cyclist over again before being forced from her vehicle by a witness."
what
So attempted murder charges are in play here, I hope.
posted by mullingitover at 10:17 AM on June 9, 2011 [3 favorites]
what
So attempted murder charges are in play here, I hope.
posted by mullingitover at 10:17 AM on June 9, 2011 [3 favorites]
There are no words for how angry this makes me.
posted by brand-gnu at 10:21 AM on June 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by brand-gnu at 10:21 AM on June 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
So other than wearing a helmet, I don't see any way for the cyclist be safer in this situation. It sounds like a car rearended the bicycle. That typically is a failure in concentration for the driver..
This seems to be more than a bicycle awareness issue, but a "Pay attention to things in front of your while driving your car" issue. It's not the same degree of tragedy, but this is the same accident we see when people rear-end other cars because they aren't paying attention.
I think it stems from the sense of isolation that people strive for in their cars. It's a living room, an entertainment complex, a place to socialize, eat, and do whatever else they feel like doing.
**BLANKET STATEMENT**
Americans don't drive, they simply roll around in their living room, inured to the world around them.
**END BLANKET STATEMENT**
If we were to pay more attention to cyclists, pedestrians and the world around us, we'd all be better off.
posted by Lord_Pall at 10:21 AM on June 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
This seems to be more than a bicycle awareness issue, but a "Pay attention to things in front of your while driving your car" issue. It's not the same degree of tragedy, but this is the same accident we see when people rear-end other cars because they aren't paying attention.
I think it stems from the sense of isolation that people strive for in their cars. It's a living room, an entertainment complex, a place to socialize, eat, and do whatever else they feel like doing.
**BLANKET STATEMENT**
Americans don't drive, they simply roll around in their living room, inured to the world around them.
**END BLANKET STATEMENT**
If we were to pay more attention to cyclists, pedestrians and the world around us, we'd all be better off.
posted by Lord_Pall at 10:21 AM on June 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
How terrible. That's a pretty badass witness, to take on the driver who just ran over someone with their car on purpose. I hope recovery is swift and justice is served.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 10:22 AM on June 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 10:22 AM on June 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
Is this bike-outrage post week?
posted by smackfu at 10:22 AM on June 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by smackfu at 10:22 AM on June 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
Wait, I had missed the part where the driver got out of her car to check on the woman, got back in her car and RAN HER OVER AGAIN. What the crap.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 10:23 AM on June 9, 2011
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 10:23 AM on June 9, 2011
Holy shit, I just read the crash specifics. There's a special place in hell for someone who runs someone over while on the phone, gets out and looks at them while continuing to talk on the phone, and then drives off, running them over again, still while on the phone.
I don't even have words..
posted by Lord_Pall at 10:25 AM on June 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
I don't even have words..
posted by Lord_Pall at 10:25 AM on June 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
Is this bike-outrage post week?
I'd prefer to think of it as basic fucking human decency outrage week.
posted by Lord_Pall at 10:26 AM on June 9, 2011 [8 favorites]
I'd prefer to think of it as basic fucking human decency outrage week.
posted by Lord_Pall at 10:26 AM on June 9, 2011 [8 favorites]
Drunkcyclist.com frequently posts "cyclist down" news and it's scary/shocking/sad how frequently this happens. Drivers don't respect the outsized effect they can have. Driver's license exams should require the prospective driver cycle down a busy street for a few miles.
posted by ghharr at 10:26 AM on June 9, 2011
posted by ghharr at 10:26 AM on June 9, 2011
mullingitover - no charges have been filed against the driver.
posted by sandraregina at 10:31 AM on June 9, 2011
posted by sandraregina at 10:31 AM on June 9, 2011
Drivers don't respect the outsized effect they can have.
Bicycles are also often seen as a nuisance, the fruit flies of the road system. My first week at college, I was at a red light on my bike and some guy in an SUV plowed into me while trying to make a right-on-red. He knocked me over, I stood up, and he saw me, rolled his eyes, and in an exasperated tone asked, "Are you alright?"
Before I could finish saying, "Yeah, I think so...", he had rolled up his window and peeled off.
posted by backseatpilot at 10:33 AM on June 9, 2011
Bicycles are also often seen as a nuisance, the fruit flies of the road system. My first week at college, I was at a red light on my bike and some guy in an SUV plowed into me while trying to make a right-on-red. He knocked me over, I stood up, and he saw me, rolled his eyes, and in an exasperated tone asked, "Are you alright?"
Before I could finish saying, "Yeah, I think so...", he had rolled up his window and peeled off.
posted by backseatpilot at 10:33 AM on June 9, 2011
I believe in the rule of law, but if they don't charge this asshole with something I would not be offended if vigilantism were to occur.
posted by tommasz at 10:37 AM on June 9, 2011 [3 favorites]
posted by tommasz at 10:37 AM on June 9, 2011 [3 favorites]
This is so much more than leaving the scene of the accident, this is attempted murder. It is shit like this which I have encountered myself that is the reason why whenever I go down I always, well almost always, get up as soon as I am physically able with my lock in my hands no matter how hurt I am; even though that is really dangerous when you are actually hurt.
If the driver freaks out or, more often, runs then you can put it down, crumple, and hope the people around you will help render aid; if they don't at least you arn't on the ground helpless and have some chance.
"She was wearing a helmet during accident, but the force of the car ripped it off her head."
Please please wear helmets properly and properly fitted if you wear them, otherwise its the worst of both worlds
posted by Blasdelb at 10:37 AM on June 9, 2011
If the driver freaks out or, more often, runs then you can put it down, crumple, and hope the people around you will help render aid; if they don't at least you arn't on the ground helpless and have some chance.
"She was wearing a helmet during accident, but the force of the car ripped it off her head."
Please please wear helmets properly and properly fitted if you wear them, otherwise its the worst of both worlds
posted by Blasdelb at 10:37 AM on June 9, 2011
Holy shit, I just read the crash specifics. There's a special place in hell for someone who runs someone over while on the phone, gets out and looks at them while continuing to talk on the phone, and then drives off, running them over again, still while on the phone.
Just a couple of points - the article does not say that the driver was on the phone while they were driving, nor does it say that they were on the phone when they drove off. The act of running over them again I hope was an accident, although the decision to leave renders that point rather moot in my mind.
If they were on the phone then they should be shot at dawn and their family should be billed for the bullets.
posted by It's Never Lurgi at 10:44 AM on June 9, 2011 [2 favorites]
Just a couple of points - the article does not say that the driver was on the phone while they were driving, nor does it say that they were on the phone when they drove off. The act of running over them again I hope was an accident, although the decision to leave renders that point rather moot in my mind.
If they were on the phone then they should be shot at dawn and their family should be billed for the bullets.
posted by It's Never Lurgi at 10:44 AM on June 9, 2011 [2 favorites]
sfts2, yeah, I noticed that when I went back and read it.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 10:45 AM on June 9, 2011
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 10:45 AM on June 9, 2011
I would like to know why Robbie Norton is still out there driving around and not behind bars.
posted by MegoSteve at 10:45 AM on June 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by MegoSteve at 10:45 AM on June 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
Fuck cars.
They've ruined our air, our cities, our countryside, our health. They kill and maim scores of thousands every year.
God damn, there's gotta be a better way.
posted by entropicamericana at 10:45 AM on June 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
They've ruined our air, our cities, our countryside, our health. They kill and maim scores of thousands every year.
God damn, there's gotta be a better way.
posted by entropicamericana at 10:45 AM on June 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
MegoSteve: "I would like to know why Robbie Norton is still out there driving around and not behind bars."
I think we can still hope for a fair trial and a swift hanging:
"There was a recent post asking if the Clay County Prosecutor needed to be contacted to express concerns, This is still being investigated per the Clay County Prosecutor. I know witnesses have been interviewed as recently as yesterday."
posted by Blasdelb at 10:47 AM on June 9, 2011
I think we can still hope for a fair trial and a swift hanging:
"There was a recent post asking if the Clay County Prosecutor needed to be contacted to express concerns, This is still being investigated per the Clay County Prosecutor. I know witnesses have been interviewed as recently as yesterday."
posted by Blasdelb at 10:47 AM on June 9, 2011
Blasdelb, why do you get up with a lock in your hands? I don't understand what the lock is for.
posted by Sternmeyer at 10:48 AM on June 9, 2011
posted by Sternmeyer at 10:48 AM on June 9, 2011
Anecdata: I was hit by a car, as a pedestrian, and nearly killed. 22 hours in surgery to remove bone fragments from my brain. Many more hours of reconstructive facial surgery to put my right eye back in (almost) the right place. An 18 inch titanium pin in my left leg. Constant pain since then (1990).
At the pre-trial questioning, the driver who hit me said, "I didn't even see him. I was looking for music on the radio."
Looking for music on the fucking radio.
Try looking in front of you now and then you fuckers.
posted by Splunge at 10:48 AM on June 9, 2011 [4 favorites]
At the pre-trial questioning, the driver who hit me said, "I didn't even see him. I was looking for music on the radio."
Looking for music on the fucking radio.
Try looking in front of you now and then you fuckers.
posted by Splunge at 10:48 AM on June 9, 2011 [4 favorites]
Sternmyer - it's to defend yourself. Road-raging drivers will sometimes physically assault the cyclist they hit.
posted by Slap*Happy at 10:50 AM on June 9, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by Slap*Happy at 10:50 AM on June 9, 2011 [2 favorites]
Does it seem odd that she was riding with someone but the only statement we have is from the police?
posted by smackfu at 10:52 AM on June 9, 2011
posted by smackfu at 10:52 AM on June 9, 2011
Holy mother of god, if Robbie Norton is not charged with something, I'm going to have to reconsider my stance on vigilantes.
posted by dejah420 at 10:53 AM on June 9, 2011
posted by dejah420 at 10:53 AM on June 9, 2011
Does it seem odd that she was riding with someone but the only statement we have is from the police?
No.
posted by Billiken at 10:55 AM on June 9, 2011
No.
posted by Billiken at 10:55 AM on June 9, 2011
Slap*Happy : Road-raging drivers will sometimes physically assault the cyclist they hit.
If you're really committed to vehicular homicide, you might as well finish the job.
posted by dr_dank at 10:57 AM on June 9, 2011
If you're really committed to vehicular homicide, you might as well finish the job.
posted by dr_dank at 10:57 AM on June 9, 2011
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I hope Jan gets better.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 10:11 AM on June 9, 2011