[SDCBC] EX-ER Doc Charged in L.A. Cyclists crash

[Serge Issakov]

This reminds me of the incident on Mulholland Drive a few years ago where a
CHP officer passed a group of cyclists on a descent, pulled in front of
them, and slammed on his brakes.  I think motorists sometimes don't realize
how fast cyclists are going and how much time/space they need to stop.   The
message I pasted  below from Dan Gutierrez was posted to another list.  The
third link in that message is a youtube video that demonstrates cyclist
behavior on narrow road situations that I have found defuses motorist
frustration that can escalate.

As to the Torrey Pines incident (I first heard about it from the female
victim, an SDBC member), it seems to me that this is an example of an ahole
with a vendetta against cyclists for some reason, who intentionally (and
successfully) tried to scare (but not hit) the cyclists.  If he had wanted
to hit them, he would have.  I don't mean to excuse the action in any way,
of course, because such  a dangerous action is terrifying in itself, and
could inadvertently lead to a crash.

Both incidents illustrate why I use a mirror.

Serge


------------------------------------------------------

To all,
You are all probably familiar with the 4th of July Road Rage incident that
occurred in Mandeville Canyon, where a motorist slammed on his brakes in
front of two cyclists, badly injuring one of them:

http://laist.com/2008/07/07/road_rage_motorist_vs_cyclists_on_m.php
http://laist.com/2008/07/07/update_on_bicycle_accident.php

Given all the public concerns about cycling on that road, Brian DeSousa and
I felt some public education was in order.  To that end, we have shot video
of the Canyon and created a short (3:49) YouTube educational video,
entitled: Mandeville Canyon - Motorist/Cyclist Cooperation, for cyclists and
motorists, showing safe, legal and cooperative behaviors.  Here is the Link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKSVwhLMjBk

In addition, the Rights and Duties of Cyclists video on YouTube is also
helpful in this context:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rU4nKKq02BU

Please forward this to your distribution lists to help us spread the
education message.

Thanks in advance for your help,


- Dan Gutierrez -
Long Beach, CA
(562) 244-4145 Cell
(310) 336-3075 Office
(800) 616-4714 Pager
Dan.Gutierrez at Charter.Net
------------------------------------------------------

On Mon, Jul 14, 2008 at 3:03 PM, Jon Perkins <admin7 at cox.net> wrote:

>
> http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20080711-2036-ca-cyclistscrash.html
>
>
>
> There are a few facts missing from the UT version of this story.  On the
> date of this attack (4th of July), about 300 cyclists were on an
> Independence day bicycle ride to the top of Mandeville Canyon road in
> Brentwood. This is a popular event and take place a half dozen times a year.
>
>
>
> On the descent, a cyclist was injured, and had to be taken to the hospital.
> Two of his buddies (soon to be victims), 40-year-old Ron Peterson and
> 28-year-old Christian Stoher, stayed back and tended to him, while the
> ambulance arrived.
>
>
>
> Later, as the two set off back down the hill, a car (Infinity Sedan) passed
> close to them and the "good" Dr. shouted obscenities, pulled in front of the
> riders and slammed on his brakes.
>
>
>
> Christian barely avoided a collision by swerving into oncoming traffic, but
> was still injured after losing control of his bicycle, while Ron was thrown
> through the back window of the car, breaking the windshield. His nose was
> partially severed, and he received severe facial lacerations and broken
> teeth*.
>
>
>
> The Doctors attorney Peter Swarth calls the incident a "unfortunate
> accident".  However what else can you say about a Doctor who purposely
> injures cyclists who were assisting a injured cyclist?
>
>
>
> Also, on a lighter note it was pleasant to see that Dr. Christopher
> Thompson was charged on July 11.  His birthday.
>
>
>
>
> http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20080711-2036-ca-cyclistscrash.html
>
>
>
> *Assumptive and not confirmed
>
>
>
>
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-- 
NOTE: Any opinions expressed above are mine and not necessarily shared by
any organization in which I am involved.
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