Bicyclist killed in Tunnel Road accident leaves behind 3 kids

Who pays for the damage to the Jeep? How about some sympathy for the driver who had to get tied up with all of this BS because of the idiot bike rider. Some people might be in anguish for causing the death of another. Or, the driver might be painting a little bicycle under the driver's window and bitching about the five bucks for the touch up paint he has to buy.

After reading all the comments you have been making, I am glad you are RETIRED. It sounds like some people become bitter and burned out on their job, having to encounter situations like the one that happened the other night on Tunnel Road. Sympathy for ALL citizens is definitely lacking. How sad.

retiredlawman wrote:

Who pays for the damage to the Jeep? How about some sympathy for the driver who had to get tied up with all of this BS because of the idiot bike rider. Some people might be in anguish for causing the death of another. Or, the driver might be painting a little bicycle under the driver's window and bitching about the five bucks for the touch up paint he has to buy.

Since the beginning of the year, I'm back at work. That's why I'm having fun here only on the weekends.

Retiredlawman: You're kidding, right? "Who pays for the damage to the Jeep?" That's what automotive insurance is for. Under/un-insured coverage.
If you're truely a law enforcement officer, you should know that it's people like you with a badge that have killed my respect and trust for law enforcement. You pick and choose who you do your job for. "Protect and Serve." I don't see where it says "except for...."

I was the victim of a hit-and-run (suspected drunk, cops didn't care) several years ago, car going 60+ mph, I on a bicycle. I had helmet, lights, reflective, following rules of the road, whole nine yards. I got lucky: beat the odds of 7.5% chance of survival, even though I was dead for almost 30 minutes. It was several days before they were sure I was going to live. My heart goes out to the family left behind...I know what you're going through.

Ghost Dog wrote:

Drivers of 2 Ton and greater vehicles are supposed to/have a legal obligation to "look out" for pedestrians and people on bicycles as they have a tendency to move quickly and unexpectedly. On the same hand pedestrians and bicyclists should be aware of vehicular traffic and walk/ride safely, never know who is driving and texting, drinking, fighting with a child or spouse and not paying attention to the road ahead. Too bad a young father/kid had to die because a driver couldn't slow down, move over, wait a few moments or put the phone down! Once you are dead, your dead forever!

take a drive on the parkway and watch how the bicyclists are up there, they hog the road , ride side by side, and are just plain rude. recently one ate the ass end of a vehicle up there and didnt fare out to well. nothing wrong with sharing the road , but that includes sharing responsibility.

Judge not lest ye be judged! No one on these comments knows the facts. Maybe his wife is a little older, had a couple kids by someone else that is not paying child support, at least this guy, 19 or not, he was doing his best to work, maybe they were getting help from Social Services. But of course all of the ones that belittles someone getting help.....they have never had to ask for help from no one? My daughter and her husband 3 boys age 13,10,6 are going through a really hard time right now. His lost his job because of a illness that came on quickly and has left him almost totally blind. He has worked for the last 14 years. They have tried to find help, an Food Stamps is ALL that they have been able to get. He has filed for his disability, but of course he was turned down. It took one of my cousins 3 and a half years to finally get 1 check. But God graciously put me and my husband in the position to see they had food. And as long as I'm alive....my daughter who is unable to get her disability, but suffers daily, not able to work, will be fed and necessities met. Be careful when you point an accusing finger....it only takes a second for something to befall you, and you might be the one needing help

lawnguy wrote:

One of the factors contributing to such tragic outcomes as this, is the lack of patience of so many people. It does take time to get an education, get a good job, do without some things so that you can pay for real necessities, and build enough to afford a family. For those who set off with no real plan or preparation the slightest accident can put them in the negative colume. The consumerism cult is a part of the problem, making everyone feel entitled to cell phones, cars, electronics, fancy clothes, etc. One does not have to be unfeeling or greedy to be annoyed at the increasing burden placed on society, and those who limit their own obligations so as to live within their means, are justifiably complaining at having to pay for those who live with little or no personal responsibility. Yes, this young man was trying to take care of his family, but would it not have been easier on him, if he had better prepaired himself first? Nothing says one cannot be sad for his loss, and still see the problem that he saddled himself, and now our community with.

VERY GRACEFULLY SAID

As I said earlier this morning, I admire a 19 year old young man stepping up to the plate and supporting his family!

First, we don't know the age of his wife or perhaps girlfriend and second, we don't know if all three of the children were his biological children. And what difference should it make to us, he was living a life he had chosen.

He was only 19, most 19 year olds have just graduated from high school. Perhaps he was enrolled in community college or at a university and was working Wal*Mart to help ends meet? Why immediately judge him without knowing him or his circumstances?

He ran a red light, he isn't the first person to run one and won't be the last. That doesn't make him stupid or crazy or any other name.

We need to be more tolerant and less judgmental.

For what it is worth, we have a young man who was riding his bicycle and was hit by a car....HELL--any one of us could have done it..Please have a heart for this young man who lost his life. He gave the ultimate price. We are still here to carry on...please--oh gads, please--cut this family some slack

He ran a red light.

He dead.

Why all the debate?

Ghost Dog wrote:

Drivers of 2 Ton and greater vehicles are supposed to/have a legal obligation to "look out" for pedestrians and people on bicycles as they have a tendency to move quickly and unexpectedly.

Pedestrians and people on 40 pound bicycles have a legal obligation to follow the traffic laws, and crossing a street against the light is illegal, and stooooopid.

Yes, the man had a responsibility to obey the law but people run red lights and stop signs all the time, drivers of cars and trucks still have an obligation to be cautious when they see a pedestrian or bicyclist. Doing something stooooopid doesn't mean you should celebrate his death!

I feel so bad for the family of the deceased.

One thing that I do hope that can come of this tragedy:
It is VERY important for those of us riding bicycles to understand -- We must obey ALL the traffic laws of the state. That means, obeying signs, signals, lane markings, riding in bike lanes when they are provided, always riding with traffic and never riding on the sidewalk or cutting across cross-walks to avoid traffic lights -- which I see quite often and never can believe.

Bobbette, we just had an incident on I-40 where an 18 wheeler's driver wasn't paying attention, didn't slow down in a work zone and plowed into several cars. Drivers need to slow down when they see a pedestrian or bicyclist and move over if they can do so safely, they don't have any protection, drivers of cars/trucks do.

Ghost Dog wrote:

Bobbette, we just had an incident on I-40 where an 18 wheeler's driver wasn't paying attention, didn't slow down in a work zone and plowed into several cars. Drivers need to slow down when they see a pedestrian or bicyclist and move over if they can do so safely, they don't have any protection, drivers of cars/trucks do.

Exactly. As drivers, we are taught to avoid obstacles. As cyclist's we are taught that ya don't be foolish---that will cost you your life. Keep the rubber side down and be safe.

MurphyMobile wrote:

<quoted text>
It more like the bicyclists need to wear light
clothing with reflective strips on their shirt,
jeans and shoes. And hells bells, where were
his lights for the front and rear?
Motorcyclists have to have head lights ont 24/7 rain or shine. Do sutomobile drives do that?
Rarely. And if they think they have their headlights on they are STUPID. It is the running
lights. And I cannot see the assend of a car, whether it is raining, snowing, foggy or hailing,
I just might introduce myself after I push your trunk into the back seat>

Basic safety measures that don't cost very much.
Even with out those, following the rules of the
road probably would have saved his life.

retiredlawman wrote:

Since the beginning of the year, I'm back at work. That's why I'm having fun here only on the weekends.

Back in the law enforcement business?

To much detail on how this young man was in the wrong. Sound like he is being tried for dying,or Someone important was driving that jeep. Statements from APD cannot be trusted. But nothing will bring this young man back. Just say a pray for his family.

Yep.

This time in a suit. I liked being in uniform better, the pay is better being in mufti.

Anyway.... My favorite bicycle story is from the 70's when it was a fad for ghetto lads to take a break from studying for college entrance exam and steal the nicest bicycles possible from the non-ghetto and then ride around town in large groups blowing police-style whistles so drivers and pedestrians would yield to this mobile mob. The critters ignored all traffic laws and caused more than a few major traffic tie ups. Then, you guessed it, a dump truck didn't stop one day and crushed a number of these idiots. The coroner recovered a whistle from halfway down the throat of one of the crushees and the whistle remains on display at a certain cop bar to this day. See, a story with a happy ending.

Free wrote:

<quoted text>
You mean like referring to people as leeches...?
This man could have got with a woman who already had a child or two... they could have had one single birth and twins..you have way over assumed this situation.
You were complaining about having to pay for the offspring of breeders when it clearly says the man was coming home from work...he was paying for his own.

He didn't live long enough to have paid in much Social Security or other taxes. Although SS is a percentage of earnings, you can bet that with a non-working wife and three children he didn't pay taxes. Get a clue. Now three children will be eligible for Social Security benefits. No way he has paid for his own.

And it is situations like this that are draining the Social Security system.