General Discussion Triathlon Talk » My turn to get hit by a car Rss Feed  
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2013-08-03 11:18 AM

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Subject: My turn to get hit by a car
After a long hiatus, I'm trying to get back into training, and my second ride out on a hybrid, I got deliberately hit. I was riding along Avila Beach Road in Avila, California enjoying a nice day, and about 5 miles into my ride, it happened. The road is very wide, but when cars park on the shoulder, it's narrower, but still plenty of room to pass, and lots of cyclists frequently ride the road at all times.

I was about 20 feet ahead of my wife, when this guy passes her closely. I'm riding about 18 inches off the stripe, going about 12mph when I see his mirror come close to me. Never seen that before! Then he sort of matches my speed, and begins to slowly swerve into me, and then bump me, almost like he was trying to force me into the parked cars. As it was happening, I'm in disbelief that the guy is doing this deliberately! I went down. No time to react while is was happening. I was surprised that he stopped, and unfortunately my instant reaction was to release a string of profanities at him. He kind of looks at me and says, "what are you doing in the road?" I tell him it's legal for bikes to be in the road, and he's required to get me three feet of room when passing ( I think California law requires that he just give me enough room to safely pass). He says, "It is? Three feet? Huh." My wife who is here by now, asks him if he has been drinking. He just kind of stares at her, and proceeds to get back into his car. I tell him I am going to call the police and he needs to stay. I fumble with my phone and manage to get a photo of his rear plate. Fearing he is going to back up, I get in between some parked cars.

I call 911 to report the hit and run, and they say they will send a cruiser. Moments later, a couple of park police show up. A witness had seen what happened, and told them to come over. They asks what happens, clean me up, and call the medics to check me out. I've got abrasions on my knees, elbow and shoulder. My shoulder, pelvis and chest are sore, but overall feel lucky that it happened at a slow speed, as it could have been much worse.

The CHP officer takes my statement, and pays a visit to the driver. He called me later to tell me the driver offered no explanation. He said it would be hard to press a felony charge since I wasn't seriously injured, but would at least pursue a misdemeanor, provided I would be willing to testify. Absolutely! Drivers like this need to be prosecuted. Lots of people and children ride on this road, and a**holes like this need to be held accountable..



2013-08-03 1:45 PM
in reply to: hip82

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Subject: RE: My turn to get hit by a car

Hope you (and the bike) are OK. Sounds like you handled it well, except for the profanitiesCool.

Let us know if anything comes out of it (charges, testimony).

2013-08-03 1:56 PM
in reply to: hip82

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Subject: RE: My turn to get hit by a car
Originally posted by hip82  The CHP officer takes my statement, and pays a visit to the driver. He called me later to tell me the driver offered no explanation. He said it would be hard to press a felony charge since I wasn't seriously injured, but would at least pursue a misdemeanor, provided I would be willing to testify. Absolutely! Drivers like this need to be prosecuted. Lots of people and children ride on this road, and a**holes like this need to be held accountable..
Seems like there may be a double standard here.  If a guy in a car intentionally runs into a CHP officer, the driver would be charged with felony assault on a police officer or even attempted homicide.  In fact, how many times have we seen reports where a driver has tried to use his car to ram a police officer/car and the officer has pulled out his weapon and used it - and been deemed to be well within the law?  Why is it any different if the driver intentionally hits a rider then leaves the scene?  You are absolutely right - he needs to be held accountable.
2013-08-03 1:57 PM
in reply to: the bear

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Subject: RE: My turn to get hit by a car
I don't know how it would be hard to press felony charges. That is like saying that if someone shoots at you but only gives you a flesh wound it isn't really a crime.

I am glad you weren't hurt any worse than you were. As scary as it must have been for you, I imagine your wife was terrified to see that.
2013-08-03 2:25 PM
in reply to: happyscientist

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Subject: RE: My turn to get hit by a car
Yikes! Once in a while I get passed by a car that seems to be deliberately trying to squeeze me off the road, but thankfully none have made contact. I'm glad you are not more seriously injured, and that you had witnesses. I hope you heal up quickly, and that this driver learns his lesson.
2013-08-03 4:23 PM
in reply to: hip82

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Subject: RE: My turn to get hit by a car
Press him as hard as you can. I was hit on June 5, this year, by a lady who t-boned me from my left. Destroyed my P2 and I was lucky that I didn't get any broken bones, head trauma, or anything other than 15 stitches, LOTS of road rash, and MAJOR deep bruising.

The lady grabbed my water bottles and then left the scene. She ran like a little beyotch. Some people saw this and followed her to her house (1 mile away) and got her info.

I AM pressing criminal charges as well as letting my lawyer handle the rest of the goods.

I am so glad you are okay. Things could be worse, but I'd slap this dude silly as far as I could.

Get back out on the road...there's friendlier places to ride.


2013-08-03 4:52 PM
in reply to: PHXATC

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Subject: RE: My turn to get hit by a car
Originally posted by PHXATC

Press him as hard as you can. I was hit on June 5, this year, by a lady who t-boned me from my left. Destroyed my P2 and I was lucky that I didn't get any broken bones, head trauma, or anything other than 15 stitches, LOTS of road rash, and MAJOR deep bruising.

The lady grabbed my water bottles and then left the scene. She ran like a little beyotch. Some people saw this and followed her to her house (1 mile away) and got her info.

I AM pressing criminal charges as well as letting my lawyer handle the rest of the goods.

I am so glad you are okay. Things could be worse, but I'd slap this dude silly as far as I could.

Get back out on the road...there's friendlier places to ride.
She grabbed your water bottles?! Like hurting you wasn't enough she had to leave you there without water? I...don't get what she was trying to do there. Wow. I'm glad you got out of a t-bone situation without more damage. I'd go hard after hit and runs myself! We need to make examples out of these kinds of drivers.
2013-08-03 6:34 PM
in reply to: GreenMtnLabbit

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Subject: RE: My turn to get hit by a car

Originally posted by GreenMtnLabbit
Originally posted by PHXATC Press him as hard as you can. I was hit on June 5, this year, by a lady who t-boned me from my left. Destroyed my P2 and I was lucky that I didn't get any broken bones, head trauma, or anything other than 15 stitches, LOTS of road rash, and MAJOR deep bruising. The lady grabbed my water bottles and then left the scene. She ran like a little beyotch. Some people saw this and followed her to her house (1 mile away) and got her info. I AM pressing criminal charges as well as letting my lawyer handle the rest of the goods. I am so glad you are okay. Things could be worse, but I'd slap this dude silly as far as I could. Get back out on the road...there's friendlier places to ride.
She grabbed your water bottles?! Like hurting you wasn't enough she had to leave you there without water? I...don't get what she was trying to do there. Wow. I'm glad you got out of a t-bone situation without more damage. I'd go hard after hit and runs myself! We need to make examples out of these kinds of drivers.

Yeah, wtf?  The water bottles? Give us the back story on that.

OP, very sorry to read this.  I hope you're OK. That would be really scary.  Please keep us posted:)

2013-08-04 6:09 AM
in reply to: hip82

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Subject: RE: My turn to get hit by a car
That sucks. Good your not seriously hurt though. What a low life..... Somebody here recently had a car get in front of them and slam on their brakes. I guess some people are just mad because we are between them and McDonalds on the road.
2013-08-04 9:58 AM
in reply to: hip82


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Subject: RE: My turn to get hit by a car
Very happy to hear you escaped with no serious damages! Its stories like this that makes me glad about my choice to stick to the bike trails as much as possible even though sometimes the long, straight, relatively flat trails get monotonous its much better then ending up in the emergency room or worse.
2013-08-05 10:03 AM
in reply to: switch

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Subject: RE: My turn to get hit by a car
Not to hijack this thread, but I was lying in the middle of the street (108 outside so the ashpalt had to be 140 degrees as my skin was literally cooking and burning), I took inventory of myself, and then hobbled to the side of the road, sat on the sidewalk, noticed my butt was crazy hot, so slid back onto the grassy area. The lady got out of her car, picked up my 2 Camelback insulated water bottles that had spun out into the middle of the road, put them down about 4 feet away from me, then I saw her pick them up again...I was on the phone with 911 and noticed about 2 minutes later that she was gone...her car was gone and she was too. I never did find the water bottles...I looked for them as I sat there because I (duh) was thirsty and wanted to pour some water on my ankle that was split open (why, I have no idea, but it sounded like a good idea). Anyway, 1 lady had her plate number and another really cool dude, followed her to her house (1 mile away) and got her plate number and address and brought it back to the cops. How cool is that?

I don't get people. I understand that poop happens, but they teach you that stuff in kindergarten, to be decent and have some morals, don't they? She was 48 years old and married to a fire fighter. That made it even worse in my mind. Oh well. I'm healed up and back into training for my next tri.

I managed to do the Buffalo Springs 70.3, 25 days after getting hit (although I kinda sucked), and got a new bike out of the deal.


2013-08-05 4:22 PM
in reply to: PHXATC

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Subject: RE: My turn to get hit by a car

I don't get people. I understand that poop happens, but they teach you that stuff in kindergarten, to be decent and have some morals, don't they?  

 

What sucks is responsibility, decency, & morals are gone in today's society.  People no longer own up to their mistakes or deliberate actions.  In Atlanta this summer I have heard about more hit & run incidents in the news than anytime in the past that I can recall.

2013-08-10 5:01 PM
in reply to: Meathead

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Subject: RE: My turn to get hit by a car
The trooper came by last night and showed me some mug shots, and said he would pursue at least a misdemeanor hit and run. My injuries are not bad enough for a felony (that's ok with me!)

At least my wife and I picked the same guy out of the line-up! And there's a witness. So, it will be some time before any more news I suspect
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