Bicyclist hit at Duke and W Taylor Run, Alexandria

[Steve O]

@Zack 141698 wrote:

I observed this intersection the other day for about 45 minutes during rush hour.

After watching your videos it would seem that a police officer observing this intersection for 45 minutes during rush hour could make a lot of money for the city.

[Zack]

@KLizotte 141702 wrote:

The first clip you link to doesn’t make your case IMHO only because I can’t see the walk signal (I may be blind however). I do see cars going thru the crosswalk with a walk signal in one of the still shots on the linked page. Find a video/pics showing cars going thru the crosswalk with a walking man and send to the WashPost, VDOT, the city of Alexandria, and the Brown’s family if you can. Get the authorities in charge afraid of a civil lawsuit. Then maybe change will occur.

Thanks for all the hard work.

Correct about the first clip, I could see it with my own eyes but you cannot see it behind the camera. The walk signal came on about two seconds after the red light each time so you can also count down from the red light coming on.

[Zack]

@scorchedearth 141113 wrote:

Ryan is a friend of a friend. According to our mutual acquaintance, Ryan rode very much by the book and would not have crossed against the light at that intersection. Frankly, you’d have to be insane to even try, knowing the conditions on that part of Duke Street.

The authorities really dropped the ball on this one.

It is completely improbable that the cyclist would have crossed against the walk signal.
There is literally too many cars crossing through the intersection to even attempt crossing against the light. Without the walk signal, the east-west Duke St phase goes for about 60 seconds, 2 second gap, and then the 30-35 second Taylor Run phase. When the walk signal is pushed, the east-west Duke St phase goes for about 60 seconds, 2 second gap between red light and walk signal, then 30 seconds of walk signal, and then the 30-35 second Taylor Run phase.

[Terpfan]

@Zack 141724 wrote:

It is completely improbable that the cyclist would have crossed against the walk signal.
There is literally too many cars crossing through the intersection to even attempt crossing against the light. Without the walk signal, the east-west Duke St phase goes for about 60 seconds, 2 second gap, and then the 30-35 second Taylor Run phase. When the walk signal is pushed, the east-west Duke St phase goes for about 60 seconds, 2 second gap between red light and walk signal, then 30 seconds of walk signal, and then the 30-35 second Taylor Run phase.

While I’ve only biked that stretch maybe 3 or 4x, entirely agree that a cyclist would not be crossing Duke against the crosswalk. As you correctly point out, even with the crosswalk, that’s a dangerous spot. I’ve driven it many times and seen people turn right to get onto Telegraph from the main lanes, people routinely run that red, and all sorts of other shenanigans.

Sadly, this is part of why we have to wear cameras. The presumption seems to be drivers are saints.

[peterw_diy]

Silly question: how do you mount a camera so it’s not lost when a car slams into you at 30+ MPH?

[bobco85]

@peterw_diy 141802 wrote:

Silly question: how do you mount a camera so it’s not lost when a car slams into you at 30+ MPH?

I’m not sure what the best answer is, but some (I would assume most) cameras have a little cord that attaches it to the mount so that the camera is not lost if it falls off the main part of the mount (say, if you were to hit a weird bump in the road). However, in an impact of 30+ mph, that camera is going to fly off somewhere regardless of the mount. Depending on the camera, the hardest part might just be finding it afterwards. Even if the camera itself is destroyed, the memory card might still be intact.

[lordofthemark]

http://redbricktown.com/2016/08/new-red-light-camera-added-alexandria-virginia/

Not sure whether to be happy (the City did something!) or sad (it had to take something this bad for the City to act, and still so few traffic cameras in the City).

[KLizotte]

I’m glad they are adding the cameras but why is a “warning only” period warranted? To give the commuters sufficient time to acclimate to having to stop at the lights? Really?! Thunk.

[DrP]

@KLizotte 144653 wrote:

I’m glad they are adding the cameras but why is a “warning only” period warranted? To give the commuters sufficient time to acclimate to having to stop at the lights? Really?! Thunk.

I think this is fairly standard – at least I know this happens elsewhere. I think it is to get drivers used to having to obey the law when they do not see a cop actually present. Unless they wish to pay a fine, which often doesn’t count against their license.

[bobco85]

@KLizotte 144653 wrote:

I’m glad they are adding the cameras but why is a “warning only” period warranted? To give the commuters sufficient time to acclimate to having to stop at the lights? Really?! Thunk.

I think it’s more of a PR thing. People would be VERY angry (and vocal at public meetings) if they started getting tickets from a new camera without having gotten any warning beforehand. Now, did they say anything about changes to how long the yellow light would display before turning red? There have been situations in the past where yellow lights were shortened (or claimed to be shortened) when a red light camera was installed which led to public outcry which led to removal of the camera.

Btw, yes, I agree it’s ridiculous that for the next month drivers now have the option to run the red light there without risk of getting a ticket/fine. Just… don’t tell them that

[lordofthemark]

@DrP 144656 wrote:

I think this is fairly standard – at least I know this happens elsewhere. I think it is to get drivers used to having to obey the law when they do not see a cop actually present. Unless they wish to pay a fine, which often doesn’t count against their license.

In general it does not, because it is not possible to be certain who was driving. Camera infractions are fine only.

[Emm]

Ryan’s family just sent out an update, looks like there’s been some progress (albeit slow), and they could still use some help with ongoing costs.

The link with the update and fundraising info is:
https://www.youcaring.com/ryan-brown-jessica-brown-peter-brown-ned-brown-622704

This is the update from the page for those who can’t click the link:

On May 5, 2016, Ryan Brown, an Alexandria father of two and a Utah native, was riding his bike home from work when he was hit by a car that ran a red light at the West Taylor and Duke Street intersection. Ryan was thrown 50 feet, resulting in a traumatic brain injury, and a broken leg, shoulder and three vertebrae. He spent almost 4 weeks emerging from a coma at GW University Hospital in Washington, D.C. until he was transferred to National Rehabilitation Hospital at the beginning of June. While the broken bones have all healed, Ryan’s recovery from his brain injury will be a long and slow process. After nearly four months of being in the hospital, he is set to be discharged on September 2, but still faces many more months of recovery with therapy to regain lost skills and help his brain rewire. Ryan is a fighter and has responded well to therapy and treatment so far. We’re hoping that once he’s back home he’ll improve even faster with his wife and kids around him. His number one goal is to get back to being a father and husband and taking part in those responsibilities again. Unfortunately, insurance is not expected to cover all the costs of Ryan’s care and recovery. Donations will be used for his continued therapy, care, and medical costs not covered by insurance.

[KLizotte]

I sent a donation to the family a couple of months ago. I received this more detailed update last night:

Hello All,

I wanted to give you all an update on Ryan Brown, the cyclist who was hit by a car at Duke and West Taylor on May 5, 2016. You donated to the initial fund set up to help with medical expenses and I wanted to let you know how much your donation is appreciated and how far Ryan has come since then as there were only a few updates to the donation site earlier in May.

After the crash, Ryan was taken to GW University Hospital and remained there for nearly four weeks as he gradually emerged from his coma. He suffered a traumatic brain injury involving bleeds in multiple areas of his brain along with a broken upper right arm, broken right leg, and broken neck. He was admitted to National Rehabilitation Hospital early in June where he began receiving daily receiving physical, occupational, and speech therapy to help him regain lost skills. Upon entry Ryan was barely able to speak, could not feed himself, could not walk or hardly move his own body, and could not perform any self care tasks. Ryan was released from the hospital this past Friday, September 2nd. He can now walk with assistance as he still lacks some balance and his vision is impaired, though improving. He speaks clearly and as well as can be expected while still having issues with breath control, intonation, and organization. He can perform most daily self care tasks with assistance and supervision. Overall, he has made great gains in the past four months and is doing exceptionally well considering the severity of his injury. He started outpatient therapy today at Mount Vernon Inova Rehab and we are still hopeful that he will be able to return to many, if not all of the things he loved to do, though it is expected to take many more months.

To help with his ongoing recovery costs, the family has set up a new donation site at https://www.youcaring.com/ryanbrownrecovery You can see photos of Ryan’s recovery process on this site as well as get continued updates on his progress. Please spread the word by sharing it!

Thank you again for support in Ryan’s recovery journey. We could not do this without the outpouring of support we have had from family, friends, and the community!

Ryan, Jessica, Peter, and Ned Brown

[KLizotte]

My recollection is that the driver who hit Ryan was not charged (!). At a minimum, I hope the Brown family can collect a substantial payment from the driver. No justice.

[Fairlington124]

@KLizotte 145486 wrote:

My recollection is that the driver who hit Ryan was not charged (!).

Too busy writing tickets down at Union and King to satisfy Hal Hardaway.

@KLizotte 145486 wrote:

At a minimum, I hope the Brown family can collect a substantial payment from the driver. No justice.

Good luck with Virginia’s AAA-approved contributory negligence law. Sadly he probably won’t get a dime.

[Author]

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