Sheriff's Vehicle Strikes, Kills Two Cyclists
Thread started by
digablesoul at 03.9.08 - 10:33 pm
I hate to post more bad news but I just saw this.
http://www.ktvu.com/news/15548177/detail.html
Sheriff's Vehicle Strikes, Kills Two Cyclists
POSTED: 2:49 pm PDT March 9, 2008
UPDATED: 9:58 pm PDT March 9, 2008
CUPERTINO, Calif. -- Two cyclists were killed and another suffered major injuries Sunday morning when they were struck by a patrol car driven by a rookie Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department deputy.
Friends identified the dead to the San Francisco Chronicle as 31-year-old Kristy Gough of Oakland and Matt Peterson, 29, of San Francisco. Gough competed professionally as a triathlete and only recently had begun to concentrate on cycling.
Authorities said that at approximately 10:25 A.M., a Santa Clara County Deputy Sheriff was patrolling the Stevens Canyon area in Cupertino. The deputy was traveling northbound on Stevens Canyon Road near Montebello Road when his vehicle accidentally crossed over the centerline of the roadway. The deputy’s vehicle struck three bicyclists who were on a training ride and were traveling southbound on Stevens Canyon Road.
The deputy immediately exited his vehicle, began to render aid and requested emergency medical assistance. Tragically, one of the bicyclists died at the scene. A second bicyclist was transported via Life Flight to Stanford Medical Center for treatment and died there. A third bicyclist was transported to Stanford Medical Center for treatment and was in critical condition.
Preliminary reports indicate one vehicle and three bicyclists were involved in the collision, according to CHP Officer Tracy Hoover.
The CHP has closed Stevens Canyon Road in both directions from Balboa Road to the entrance to the Stevens Creek Reservoir, Hoover said.
The California Highway Patrol is investigating the accident. The deputy will be placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
Anyone who may have witnessed this accident is urged to contact the Officer Bowen of the California Highway Patrol at (408) 467-5354 ext.337.
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this sucks. 2008 makes me not want to ride my bike anymore.
ruinedbyidiots03.9.08 - 10:35 pm
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Man.. how the heck does a sheriff's vehicle accidentaly cross over to other lane. It's just a freak accident... but gosh man... those cyclists were on an ordinary training ride and just like that...
digablesoul03.9.08 - 10:37 pm
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fuuuuck. so sad all these deaths and accidents..... we forget how fragile life is.
Roadblock03.9.08 - 10:41 pm
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I was hit last Tuesday by undercover Glendale cops working in Hollywood.
People aren't paying attention. The cop was in a Ford F150. He turned into me. Luckily he was moving slow and I swerved. My knee is still a little messed up, but I escaped serious injury thanks to a helmet and gloves.
Though a bicycle has a right to the road just like a car, We probably need to reinforce the laws, since bicycles need extra protection against the two ton vehicles who think they own the road.
How many more of us have to die or get hurt before something is done to protect us?
skd03.9.08 - 11:40 pm
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Unfortunately, probably a lot. That is the sad state of the country we live in where problems are only solved after enough communty outrage over tragedies leaves the government with no other choice. I've lived in several communities that have demanded a change for years to rectify a dangerous situation that is obvious to everyone that lives there but it usually does not get fixed until a someone gets run over....
pavetheplanet03.10.08 - 12:00 am
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How does a cop accidentally cross the centerline? WTF? There's just no rhyme or reason to any of it. I'm with RBI et al = this sketches me out on riding. Like SKD said, people just aren't paying attention.
I'm glad these two people kicked ass for 29 and 31 years. I'm sorry they're gone.
Alex Thompson03.10.08 - 12:31 am
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i think its only getting worse because drivers are disctraced with all their gizmos(ipods, cell phones, eating and what not) instead of driving. There are alot more cyclists on the road and we are hearing about all the accidents because advocates are finally standing up and enough is enough. I have been riding for a long time now and working in a bike shop and the sad part is I have even been hit by a customer driving a car in our own parking lott!! I am a turtle when I drive and always check every blind spot because I am a cyclist and want to make the road safer for my fellow brothers and sisters.
monkeyboytom03.10.08 - 12:44 am
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In an ideal world, every auto driver would have to ride a bike for a month before getting the license to drive.
A while back I was driving from Topanga Canyon toward PCH. The road is single lane each way, winding and there's very little shoulder. I came upon a small group of cyclist going the same way. I slowed way down, put on my emergency flashers and escorted them down the hill. The riders could't figure out what I was doing (I was in back of them), but I got a huge kick out of covering for them.
Now wouldn't it be cool to live in a world where every driver did that for us, instead of trying to pass us on the right?
Creative Thing03.10.08 - 1:52 am
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Perhaps if you dig up a few more old threads, the Internet will be convinced of your rightness. Go! Go!
PC03.21.08 - 1:20 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 - 1:31 pm
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Ridazz Roulette!
