Reckless cyclist charged with manslaughter for killing pedestrian in Cali

[mstone]

As long as similar charges are filed against motorists who kill people, fine. (note that orders of magnitude more people are killed by cars, so we should be seeing a lot of charges.)

[MCL1981]

If a motorists blows a red light and mows down a pedestrian, then yes I think they would be charged in the same manner.

[ronwalf]

@MCL1981 22533 wrote:

If a motorists blows a red light and mows down a pedestrian, then yes I think they would be charged in the same manner.

The plurality of driver-pedestrian occur with the pedestrian crossing with the signal (meaning a left or right turn into them – often a right turn on red without stopping). How many manslaughter charges do you think were filed?

[MCL1981]

That is not really the same. Not saying it’s an excuse. But that is not the same thing. A driver saying “screw the red light, I’m not stopping because I’m special” then mowing down the contents of the crosswalk would be the same thing. Making a right on red and not seeing the ped is stupid and inexcusable, but it isn’t a willful reckless act.

[ronwalf]

@MCL1981 22546 wrote:

Making a right on red and not seeing the ped is stupid and inexcusable, but it isn’t a willful reckless act.

Not willful? The law is to stop before turning – it’s just socially acceptable to cruise on through, and by extension, so are the consequences.

[5555624]

@MCL1981 22546 wrote:

Making a right on red and not seeing the ped is stupid and inexcusable, but it isn’t a willful reckless act.

Sure it is, because it’s against the law. In Virginia, the law says the car must stop and “may cautiously enter the intersection and make a right turn.” It goes on to say”Such turning traffic shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk and to other traffic using the intersection.” (Code of Virginia, § 46.2-835. ‘Right turn on steady red light after stopping’)

[mstone]

@MCL1981 22533 wrote:

If a motorists blows a red light and mows down a pedestrian, then yes I think they would be charged in the same manner.

Well, you’d be wrong in most cases. You exemplify in a later post how society excuses unsafe behavior by motorists, and is hesitant to enforce the LAWS because societal norms excuse a great deal of law-breaking as long as the person breaking the laws is in a car.

One of the reasons I get really annoyed by anyone who buys into this “bikes need to be held to the same standard meme” is that bikes aren’t being held to the same standard until we see basic enforcement for things like residential speed limits, stop lines at crossings, etc. Put the enforcement where the bodies are, not where the sanctimonious point fingers.

[5555624]

The NY Times article gives a few more details.

I think a motorist running a red light at 35 mph and hitting a pedestrian in a crosswalk would be cited for manslaughter.

[pfunkallstar]

Had this conversation yesterday while contemplating one of the crossings on the W&OD in Falls Church. Just obey the posted laws – it is never THAT much of an inconvenience. If I have to slow down at a stop sign it tags on maybe 20 seconds – worst case scenario, while if you are a driver it takes maybe 10 seconds – and all they have to do is mash a gas pedal.

Also, this needs to be made into a t-shirt. Albeit I’ll be damned if it is anything but a tank and or tube top.

“Put the enforcement where the bodies are, not where the sanctimonious point fingers.”

[GuyContinental]

This guy’s (apparent) lack of remorse is deplorable:

http://sfist.com/2012/04/05/cyclist_who_struck_pedestrian_at_ca.php

Wow. Posting an ode to his helmet after hitting a senior citizen legally crossing the street??? As the article says, he’s frantically trying to scrub his internet history of KOM taunts and callus statements… guess what kids, the internet is forever…

[MCL1981]

Which further makes my point for me. His arrogant own the world attitude is not rare. Its a wonder more peds are mowed down my morons like him. He would probably blame the driver if a car with a green light hit him after he ran a red. This idiot’s own account also that the situation is NOT the same as someone making a right on red and not seeing the pedestrian. This guy, and everyone else on two wheels that does this all the time, sees the peds, sees the red light, and decides to just plow through with reckless disregard. I hope he rots in jail and they mount his bike on a poll as a warning to others.

[Mark Blacknell]

@MCL1981 22621 wrote:

His arrogant own the world attitude is not rare.

Indeed. It amazes me how people can be so certain about the righteousness of their own positions that they don’t even see the irony of them condemning others.

[mstone]

@MCL1981 22621 wrote:

Which further makes my point for me. His arrogant own the world attitude is not rare. Its a wonder more peds are mowed down my morons like him. He would probably blame the driver if a car with a green light hit him after he ran a red. This idiot’s own account also that the situation is NOT the same as someone making a right on red and not seeing the pedestrian. This guy, and everyone else on two wheels that does this all the time, sees the peds, sees the red light, and decides to just plow through with reckless disregard. I hope he rots in jail and they mount his bike on a poll as a warning to others.

Yeah, it’s completely different from the line of cars turning through an intersection in disregard of the walk signal and the pedestrians in the intersection that I see EVERY DAY. And it’s completely different than the excessive speed I see on the roads EVERY DAY. Because, you know, this guy was on a bike and must have reckless disregard, whereas the cars are just engaged in the normal kind of lawlessness that doesn’t matter because it’s normal.

[Tim Kelley]

Lawsuit against Strava: http://www.cyclelicio.us/2012/strava-lawsuit/

[Mark Blacknell]

@Tim Kelley 22629 wrote:

Lawsuit against Strava: http://www.cyclelicio.us/2012/strava-lawsuit/

It’ll get bounced out ASAP. Failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted.

Bet on it.

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