Be careful out there…

[KelOnWheels]

Just got this news about a friend:

She was riding her bicycle and was hit from behind / “punted” on Sunday evening. The driver hit and ran. He was trying to get around another car on a one lane road (idiot). They are still searching for him. They have his car…they know who he is.

She has lost several of her teeth. She broke her thumb. She has had two surgeries on her leg. The first surgery was to repair the compound fracture. The second surgery was a skin graft to cover the fracture site. She has pins and bolts, most of which are permanent…including ones in her pelvis.

She is upbeat and in good spirits but knows she is in for a long round of physical therapy. Because their apartment will not work for the walker she will have, she might be in a facility for a few weeks.

Stay safe.

Topic

[PotomacCyclist]

Wow. I hope her recovery goes as well as possible, under the circumstances. And I hope they catch that driver. First, because he deserves to be punished for committing a dangerous act, and second, to get him off the streets so that he doesn’t injure or kill someone else.

[Dickie]

Holy crap Kel, send her my best wishes for a speedy recovery. Very inspiring to hear she is still in good spirits.. where did this happen?

[vvill]

Ugh

I hope some justice will be served.

[DaveK]

Best wishes for a complete recovery for your friend.

If and when they sentence the driver – please let us know if the prosecution is looking for community impact statements. I don’t know if every jurisdiction does this but in DC the US Attorney’s office often publicly requests these statements on how an individual’s crime affected a community so that they judge can take them into account for sentencing.

[KelOnWheels]

@Dickie 32367 wrote:

Holy crap Kel, send her my best wishes for a speedy recovery. Very inspiring to hear she is still in good spirits.. where did this happen?

I haven’t found out what street she was riding on yet – it was in this area though. She’s been posting on Facebook in the last day or so and sounding pretty chipper for being badly bashed up – I’m going to try to get over to see her today if I can figure out how to get up to Washington Hospital Center by Metro.

The thought of getting hit from behind is scary since you’ve got very little control of the situation

[Certifried]

@KelOnWheels 32435 wrote:

I haven’t found out what street she was riding on yet – it was in this area though. She’s been posting on Facebook in the last day or so and sounding pretty chipper for being badly bashed up – I’m going to try to get over to see her today if I can figure out how to get up to Washington Hospital Center by Metro.

The thought of getting hit from behind is scary since you’ve got very little control of the situation

Best wishes for a speedy recover for her!

That is my biggest fear, getting run down from behind. So scary!

[KelOnWheels]

She just posted that she got to get up and sit in a chair today, so she was pretty excited about that.

[DaveK]

@KelOnWheels 32435 wrote:

I haven’t found out what street she was riding on yet – it was in this area though. She’s been posting on Facebook in the last day or so and sounding pretty chipper for being badly bashed up – I’m going to try to get over to see her today if I can figure out how to get up to Washington Hospital Center by Metro.

The thought of getting hit from behind is scary since you’ve got very little control of the situation

Getting to WHC by public transit is involved and kind of terrible. Getting there by bike isn’t much better. Cab it, or better yet, Uber.

[Riley Casey]

Best wishes on a speedy recovery. Funny how the smallest of things can be the largest of victories in the moment. Glad she can peck out her progress on Facebook. Social networking has it’s place in the world. Also, if she’s up for it, get a first hand account of what happened in some detail that can be posted here on the forum. This sort of thing is pretty essential for us all to be very aware of.

Best of luck too on tracking down the driver so that we will all be a bit safer.

[KelOnWheels]

@DaveK 32460 wrote:

Getting to WHC by public transit is involved and kind of terrible. Getting there by bike isn’t much better. Cab it, or better yet, Uber.

I suspected that was the case. I had vague recollections of it being waaaaaaaaay uptown.
If she’s still in this weekend I’ll just take the car and go see her.

[Arlingtonrider]

We have a lot of events coming up. Maybe some of us could sign a group card. . .

[KelOnWheels]

@Arlingtonrider 32468 wrote:

We have a lot of events coming up. Maybe some of us could sign a group card. . .

Aww, I bet she’d love that

[KelOnWheels]

Update: she’s out of the hospital and at the rehab center now, where she reports the food is much better

[Certifried]

@KelOnWheels 32734 wrote:

Update: she’s out of the hospital and at the rehab center now, where she reports the food is much better

good to hear!

[KelOnWheels]

Hey bike folk, if any federal employees have excess leave that they could donate, it would be much appreciated.

My friend just started her government job after returning from a Peace Corps assignment, so she has already used up all her leave.

Details here: http://www.fibrespace.com/2012/10/someone-broke-sam/

Thanks!

[Author]

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