Two Cyclists Killed by Sheriff
Thread started by
pavetheplanet at 03.9.08 - 10:34 pm
Everyone be careful out there, a lot of cyclists are getting hit by cars and killed recently. Today an on-duty sherriff in Cupertino crossed the double yellow and hit three cyclists, killing two.
http://cbs2.com/californiawire/22.0.html?type=local&state=CA&category=n&filename=CA--CyclistsKilled.xml
Two bicyclists killed in crash with sheriff's deputy
CUPERTINO, Calif. (AP) Two bicyclists are dead and a third was seriously injured after authorities say a sheriff's deputy plowed into the riders while on patrol in Cupertino.
Santa Clara County Sheriff's Sgt. Don Morrissey said the deputy accidentally crossed over the center line at around 10:25 a.m. Sunday and struck the three cyclists, who were riding in the other way.
The victims were not identified by officials, but the San Francisco Chronicle reported that friends of the cyclists identified the two riders who were killed as 31-year-old Kristy Gough of Oakland and another as 29-year-old Matt Peterson of San Francisco. The third cyclist is in critical condition.
Morrissey said the deputy immediately stopped, began performing first aid and called for paramedics. One of the cyclists was pronounced dead at the scene.
The other two riders were taken to Stanford Medical Center with major injuries. California Highway Patrol Officer Tracy Hoover said a second cyclist was confirmed dead about an hour later.
The deputy has been placed on leave while the CHP investigates the crash.
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wtf? That's tragic.
SPOOK03.10.08 - 11:10 am
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It's very sad, and totally senseless. They were killed near where my folks live. Gough sounds way too familiar for my comfort.
To protect and to serve, my ass.
katiepoche03.10.08 - 11:22 am
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This is fucking horrifying... Like in the other recent threads about killed cyclists, I don't really know what to say.
I feel like this is a particularly dangerous time for cyclists because while it seems like more people are getting on their bikes and trying something new, motorists haven't yet adjusted to dealing with the increased presence of bicycles on the road (hence all the shit we deal with on a daily basis). And while there have always been reckless drivers and car accidents, you throw a few cyclists into the equation and it's lost lives you're dealing with, not just phone calls to insurance companies. These kind of accidents CANNOT be taken lightly... people need to wake the fuck up out there. It's a different time.
canadienne03.10.08 - 11:54 am
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Rookie deputy?
A little off-topic, but I was always under the impression that most, if not all the counties here in Cali were sending all the fresh, academy grads to correctional facilities before street duty.
But, then again if this was a somewhat, rural/spread-out area like it kind of is up here, cops tend to take advantage of their own presence and really, gun that throttle.
I've noticed somewhat more patience with LAPD and other, "down-the-hill" law-enforcement.
bentstrider03.10.08 - 12:43 pm
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The Santa Monica Police Department is probably taking notes. Fuck the cops.
boogalooSHRIMP03.10.08 - 2:15 pm
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what a situation. seems like it was a rookie type cop hot dogging or testing the speeds of his car on a windy street. it's hard to deny that there wasnt at least some form of wreckless driving considering the final resting spot of the car...
Roadblock03.10.08 - 2:18 pm
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is it me or was there a whiff of snarkiness when that NBC newscaster chick mentioned that there was NO bike lane. almost as if to imply, what are these cyclists doing up here riding on a dangerous patch of road clearly not marked for bike use. or is that just me thinking too much?
Roadblock03.10.08 - 2:28 pm
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someone needs to point out to the "news" people that the cyclists were not breaking any laws...unless there was some sign that said NO CYCLISTS...
the only person I see breaking the law here was the law enforcement person...
the cyclists didn't cross the lanes, the cop did
adrian03.10.08 - 2:43 pm
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I believe that the officer in question fell asleep at the wheel...
alicestrong03.10.08 - 3:38 pm
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Fatigue could very well be another factor in the crash.
Seeing as how I'm trying to get into this line of work myself, many departments are somewhat, understaffed and usually look towards the newbies as an easy source of overtime.
It sucks even more when the OT is mandatory.
Although, another thing that boggles my mind are the speed-demons they seem to let onto some departments.
The pysch-exams(failed one already, have to retake everything next year) are a bitch as it is.
It's even more detrimental when someone is slipped through the cracks and put in charge of a high-powered vehicle, let alone firearms and whatnot.
bentstrider03.10.08 - 3:57 pm
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I also think he probably fell asleep at the wheel. FTW (the world variety.)
Alex Thompson03.10.08 - 5:22 pm
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Thank you for saying that which I totally agree. Also, him being a rookie does not justify it. Im not saying that is what they are claiming rather that if they mention he is a rookie then they should also add that the cyclist were within their rights as cyclist.
ItsMeMaadioo03.10.08 - 8:32 pm
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It's just a matter of time before it's someone else, maybe someone you know.
What are we going to do?
vspangle03.10.08 - 10:56 pm
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And by that I mean really, what are you, what am I, how can we work together, to make our roads really FOR cyclists?
vspangle03.10.08 - 10:57 pm
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Fuck it, here's the actual text:
Sheriff 'more than sorry' for crash
Families of dead cyclists plan memorials
By Sean Webby and Denis C. Theriault / Bay Area News Group
Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith, speaking publicly for the first time since one of her deputies barreled his patrol car into a group of bicyclists, broke down in her office Tuesday, saying she was "more than sorry" for the crash that left two riders dead.
"We accept responsibility," Smith said, crying. "Our whole department is sorry. We feel terrible for this incident, for the families, for the victims."
But the focus Tuesday remained on Deputy James Council, who reportedly told witnesses he had fallen asleep. With questions lingering - and as court documents revealed previous drunken driving charges against the 27-year-old - his lawyer, Mary Sansen, said her client was among those still searching for answers.
"To be candid, I don't think my client really knows what happened," she said.
Sansen also said Tuesday, as fellow cyclists and family members were planning memorials, that the tragedy has been hard on Council, too: His 7-year-old sister, Laura, was struck and killed by a car when he was a young boy, Sansen said.
Council was driving mid-morning Sunday on a stretch of Stevens Canyon Road with a 30 mph speed limit when he crossed a double-yellow line and struck a group of three bicyclists. Matt Peterson, 29, died at the scene; Kristy Gough, 30, died hours later at Stanford University Medical Center; and Christopher Knapp, 20, suffered a broken arm and leg.
The CHP did not ask the second-generation sheriff's deputy to submit to a blood-alcohol test. A 2004 legislative bill that would have required blood-alcohol testing for anyone involved in a fatal auto accident did not pass out of an Assembly committee.
When CHP investigators arrived at the accident scene, Council had already been taken back to the West Valley sheriff's station. Removing a distraught driver from the scene of a serious accident is a common practice, sheriff's officials say. Sheriff's officials would not comment on whether they asked Council to submit to a blood test at the substation.
New details also emerged Tuesday about Council's 2001 conviction for being involved in a speed contest in Los Angeles County. Council, 20 at the time, also was charged with two drunken-driving counts: driving while intoxicated and having a blood-alcohol content greater than 0.08 percent, court records show.
In a plea deal, records show, Council was only convicted of street racing. He received 24 months of court probation - a punishment that had ended before he was hired by the sheriff's department.
Honoring fallen bicyclists
- Kristianna Gough's family is planning a life celebration service for her at 2 p.m. Sunday at Five Rings Cycling Center, 297 N. Amphlett Blvd. in San Mateo.
- The Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition and members of the Third Pillar and Roaring Mouse racing teams are planning a memorial ride Saturday in Cupertino. Riders are invited to gather at 2:30 p.m., with the ride starting at 3. For more information, visit http://svbcbikes.org/.
- Also Sunday, the annual Old La Honda Time Trial, a famous 3.7-mile bike climb near Woodside, will be open to the public, with cyclists invited to enjoy a slow, thoughtful ride in honor of Gough and Matt Peterson.
Alex Thompson03.12.08 - 12:27 pm
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"The CHP did not ask the second-generation sheriff's deputy to submit to a blood-alcohol test." FAIL
"When CHP investigators arrived at the accident scene, Council had already been taken back to the West Valley sheriff's station. " FAIL
"New details also emerged Tuesday about Council's 2001 conviction for being involved in a speed contest in Los Angeles County. Council, 20 at the time, also was charged with two drunken-driving counts: driving while intoxicated and having a blood-alcohol content greater than 0.08 percent, court records show." FAIL
"In a plea deal, records show, Council was only convicted of street racing. He received 24 months of court probation - a punishment that had ended before he was hired by the sheriff's department." FAIL
Roadblock03.12.08 - 12:28 pm
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"second generation sherriff's deputy"
I just noticed that lil tidbit.... you know what the real story is here:
roudy son of a sheriff had daddy get him out of twouble when he was caught illegally street racing and drunk driving. Son continues callous behaviour because he never truly got punished the first time. Son rolls the windy roads at excessive speeds (likely drunk as well) and flys out of control into the cyclists (the resting point of his car is just too obvious that he was speeding) sheriff's roll up and wisk the second gen fam bam away before he can be tested.
FAIL FAIL FAIL
Roadblock03.12.08 - 12:40 pm
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wow, this is disturbing. Oncoming traffic is my biggest fear. Getting t-boned or sideswiped or doored or hit from behind, yeah thats dangerous. But head on and we are toast. Its easy to take oncoming traffic for granted. More than half the drivers on the road are high on something....
The Tour of Murrieta pro race last weeked was the stupidest race ever. Promoters claimed a centerline rule, then let the 120 peloton race the entire rode, straight onto oncoming traffic. The criterium had cones set up as barriers, with the peloton echeloning the yellow line one foot from oncoming traffic. I had to dodge one of those giant truck mirrors. Bunch of idiots.
blackflaglover03.12.08 - 12:46 pm
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Wow.
If it wasn't a cop it would be two cases of vehicular manslaughter.
>The deputy has been placed on leave while the CHP investigates the crash.
How much you wanna guess it was paid leave?
Purp03.12.08 - 12:49 pm
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SANTA CLARA COUNTY
OFFICE OF THE SHERIFF
INTERNAL AFFAIRS INVESTIGATIONS
55 W. Younger Avenue
San Jose, CA 95110-1721
(408) 808-4930
SANTA CLARA COUNTY
DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
70 W. Hedding Street
San Jose, CA 95110
(408) 299-7500
here, lets do something good with these threads. Call in your complaint. You want James Council (the negligents officer
FIRED
here is the Santa Clara Sherrif's Website COMPLAINT form:
FILL IT OUT
Roadblock03.21.08 - 1:32 pm
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Hmmm. Intersting. And which version of post accident should I believe...
The local cop's spokeshole, Santa Clara County Sheriff's Sgt. Don Morrissey said, "Council immediately stopped, began performing first aid and called for paramedics"... how very heroic of him.
Or perhaps this eyewitnesses...
(Council) had been speeding and driving erratically for several miles, was reported to be “walking around in a daze" following the crash, saying that he “must have fallen asleep." As one cyclist was lying dead in the road, another lay dying, and a third was writhing in agony, the Deputy is reported to have paced the road, saying "my life is over" and "my career is over."
And yet another bit from a news report...
Council continued to pace in a daze, telling gathering bystanders “I must have fallen asleep," until another deputy steered him away from the gathering bystanders and advised him to stop talking.
I don't know about you but I can't remember that last time I heard about cop suggesting to a suspect to stop talking.
btw. please don't run red lights or cork traffic. it's not nice.
indigis03.21.08 - 1:57 pm
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"I don't know about you but I can't remember that last time I heard about cop suggesting to a suspect to stop talking. "
truth hurts
Roadblock03.21.08 - 2:24 pm
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"conviction that ended before being hired as a deputy."
What a crock of shit!!!
As some of you might already know, I was waiting two years to get with Dept. of Corrections, now I have to reapply next year due to a failed pysch-exam.
This guy had more problems than I ever could have had, and he seems to have been yoinked right in.
Well, I'm not giving up yet, in addition to reapplying with corrections, I'll also be seeking out other departments, and perhaps force myself to start and finish up a BA/BS degree for the sake of getting either a commission in armed forces, or a federal agent position with any given agency.
Don't know about everyone else, but I just get bothered by the fact that there seems to be some favoritism/nepotism involved when it comes to being given a shield, or star for that matter.
bentstrider03.21.08 - 6:06 pm
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"waiting two years to get with Dept. of Corrections,"
hence the failed psych exam.
indigis03.21.08 - 6:13 pm
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so how does a conviction "end" anyway? wouldnt it just be called a prior?
Roadblock03.21.08 - 6:18 pm
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@indigis
Mainly, alot of transportation issues and test-rescheduling I had to contend with.
What was supposed to take one year at the most, turned into those two years.
I would have to say the oral-psych was the straw that broke the camels back.
Another thing I recently learned was the fact that while one, department shrink could see you as a hazard and fail you, another one could see you as suitable, and pass you with flying colors into the academy.
So, in the end, you becoming an officer of the law, all depends on the decision of the pyschiatrist assigned to your applicant-file.
For the most part, anyway.
bentstrider03.21.08 - 6:53 pm
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"So, in the end, you becoming an officer of the law, all depends on the decision of the pyschiatrist assigned to your applicant-file."
How true that is. I have a friend, who I view as pretty damned stable, get removed from consideration for a job that required psych evaluation. Everything else with his candidacy was perfect but according to him the psychiatrist just didn't like him.
toweliesbong03.21.08 - 7:01 pm
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I would like to take one of those psych tests just to see what they are all about. I knew a guy who didnt get accepted and he seemed pretty stable...
Roadblock03.21.08 - 7:54 pm
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@roadblock
The written phase is the
MMPI .
Essentially, a 300 question test that asks all sorts of random questions pertaining to things like; "how you sleep", "bad feelings about people", things of that nature.
Then the psychiatrist assigned to your case file, will most likely ask you questions based on some of the resulting answers from that test.
Different agencies utilize different approaches to this stage of the testing, some are more difficult than others, while some you may just slide right through all the way.
Another thing that gets me irritated is when one thinks that getting angry is a "psychological problem" requiring immediate, medication.
A, justifiable blow-up every once in awhile, shouldn't be considered extreme.
Things like habitually speeding your vehicle through reds and trying to kill people with a "Devil-may-care" attitude, should be a sign of some, type of mental breakdown.
Seeing as how there's a possibility this deputy never seemed to have grown out of that stage, then we got ourselves a problem here.
bentstrider03.21.08 - 8:23 pm
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