15 Responses to “Cyclist Killed; Woman Booked in Suspected Drunk Driving Crash”
Comments
Jamie
February 21st, 2011
My heart goes out to the victim's family of this sad event. This points out the continued dangers we all face from drunk, and now marijuana impaired drivers. It also points out the dangers of mixing bicycles with high speed traffic. Two more lives and families needlessly destroyed by one person's inability to show responsibility (with alcohol).
Nick
February 21st, 2011
This is another cyclist tragedy. My thoughts go out to the victim and his family. I am beginning to be frightened biking in Newport Beach. When I bike on PCH I have no problem staying in the middle of the right lane... All you car drivers can hate me but 80% of the time I am going the same speed as traffic. These tragic accidents are why I always assert my place on the street and make sure everyone knows I am right there. Again, condolences and well wishes to the victim and the family.
Tonick
February 22nd, 2011
"All you car drivers can hate me" You'll be the next one they are cleaning up off the street. You idiots don't get it, spandex is not armor and when you get slaughtered because you rode a bicycle in traffic the world will go right on not caring.
Honeyman
February 22nd, 2011
Tonick, In my mind, there is little more deplorable of a "person" than one who is so small and such a poor excuse of a man that he has to hide behind the anonimity of an internet message board to believe his words have credence. The woman was allegedley driving under the influence and the cyclist was observing all laws. You're a miserable, disgusting, vile excuse for a human being, Tonick. I wish you great pain in your life.
Don
February 22nd, 2011
The DA doesn't like bicyclists... The most recent death they let the driver off easy and they will probably do it this time. From what I have seen the OCDA has let it become open season on bike riders. My condolences to the family.
jet
February 22nd, 2011
People,people, why so mean? Cyclists tend 2 think they own the road...woman shouldn't be driving under influence..fact. @ 6pm its difficult 2 c a cyclist...woman shouldn't be driving under influence...common sense stuff...
David Baker
February 22nd, 2011
Commenting that marijuana has some thing to do with an alcohol D.U.I. is grossly inappropriate con sidering that EVERONE knows that drinking and driving is as irresponsible one can be(100 years of driving motor vehicles) my point is, using a tragedy as a forum to rant about a different "problem" smacks of Nazi ism and is about as un-american as possible. I myself have been assaulted(only term I could think of) by drunk drivers more times than I care to think of, and am very offended by the use of these situations to rail against non-associated issues. Dave Baker
Ken Benson
February 22nd, 2011
If we could ride on the left, facing traffic, we could see it coming and hit the ditch...
Juliette Becker
February 22nd, 2011
I am so sad about this latest accident. I live up the street from that site and walk that way all the time. San Joaquin Hills Road is treated like a freeway. I think the police should be patroling it more than they do. Many people race up that hill all day long. There are lots of cyclists and runners everyday.
robincdm
February 22nd, 2011
This is despicable and sad on so many levels. Because now some thoughtless selfish stupid person, in the name of 'having fun,’ now sits in jail, her life ruined and a person is dead. I know what it feels like to lose someone on two wheels to a drunk driver and my deepest and most heart-felt condolences go out to the victims’ family and friends. *@Nick, “asserting” your position in traffic? That line of thinking is going to get you hurt someday and that is THE major problem between car and bike. You might do well to at least think about Tonicks’ words. It’s obvious you didn’t care for the delivery but perhaps you should pay some heed to the message itself. There is truth in what Tonick says whether you want to acknowledge it or not. The assumption you made that you somehow have this omnipotent ability to, “make sure everyone knows I’m right there,” is an accident waiting to happen. There is no possible way that ‘you can make sure’ everyone sees you. Look at the numerous posts from other fellow cyclists that specifically and consistently make the claim about distracted, careless drivers that don’t see them and then try and tell us again that you are somehow able to make sure everyone sees you. That is reckless folly on your part and you will not bode well for very long on the streets with that mind-set. If you do not take care for yourself you certainly cannot expect drivers to. *@Honeyman, Congratulations. With your vile post you just became the same thing -or worse- in which you claimed to hate. To wish “great pain” on another human being is to show you to be a far viler person than the one to whom you point your finger. **“In my mind, there is little more deplorable of a "person" than one who is so small and such a poor excuse of a man that he has to hide behind the anonimity of an internet message board to believe his words have credence”.** So who are you Honeyman? Are you not hiding anonymously behind a message board? So by your own words you are also a –“small and such a poor excuse of a man”- But who are you trying to convince, your words have no credence either, right? *@Don, I don’t know about the DA’s dislike of cyclist but I do hope there is no bias. Unfortunately this is a sad accident and it matters not if it was a bike, a pedestrian or another vehicle. Fact of the matter is that the driver should have never been behind the wheel in the first place and if the driver was drunk then the driver should be penalized accordingly. *sigh*- In a fair and perfect world I guess.
Jeana
February 22nd, 2011
Unfortunately, there are too many people who drive and ride carelessly. My husband has been riding for 30 years. He's had to deal with drivers who are careless and don't want to give cyclists room to ride and cyclists who don't pay attention. We need to share the roads people. It's not that hard. Pay attention, be courteous and responsible. Too many families are grieving. My thoughts and prayers go out to the victim's family. It could be my husband and my childrens' father.
Nick
February 22nd, 2011
Robin-- When I ride I don't have a anti-car mentality or anything. Obviously I exercise extreme caution and awareness while cycling. My point of riding in the middle of the lane on PCH is because riding on the very edge of the right lane is FAR more dangerous. Drivers behind are less likely to see you, more likely to try to pass you dangerously close, and all the car doors that people swing open without even a thought. I've been hit with a door-- it wasn't my fault, woman didn't look at me. By riding closer to the middle I can INCREASE my chances of being seen, while reducing the risk of being hit when cars race past to make right turns. Also I will avoid being obliterated by a car door. Please keep in mind I am speaking about PCH.
BEB
February 22nd, 2011
Jamie- "SUSPICION of gross vehicular manslaughter", meaning they have yet to have any proof that she was under the influence of anything. Lets not condemn a young girl before the police can determine facts. Thoughts and prayers go out to BOTH families in a very difficult situation.
Mike Krpan
February 23rd, 2011
The news said driver was traveling eastbound San Joaquin Hills Rd. The accident occurred near Spy Glass Rd. I'm thinking the cyclist was going eastbound as well. That is, he was climbing up SJ Rd towards Newport Coast Rd. That section is extremely wide. She must have swerved very wide in order to hit him. Can't help to think that she was possibly text messaging. I hope the day will come soon where technology will prevent the use of hand-held devices in motor vehicles. As well as prevent people from driving under the influence. I hope that an event like this will finally be enough "S" on the fan to invoke some reform of the abuses of the PRIVILEGE (which is not a constitutional right) to operate a motor vehicle.
Jamie
February 23rd, 2011
Reply to "Beb" and "Dave." Yes Beb you are right, alleged. I tend to give folks a fair trial and then hang 'em. Dave I gather is a medical marijuana patient. I smoked pot 40 years ago, and I'd hate to be on the road with me if I was driving stoned on dope. Sorry, point not accepted, a doped up driver is just as dangerous as a drunk. Been there, done both back in the day, but like most folks I learned from others mistakes before I ended up in a sad situation.
