Man who hit Jamis Cycling Team Gets 7 days in Jail

[spartanKid]

http://tucsonvelo.com/news/driver-hit-pro-cyclists-gets-7-days-jail/18135

[ultraman6970]

The day crap like this happens to a judge or politician's relatives we might get some justice. At least there is precedence now that somebody can be sent to jail.

[Ahneida Ride]

The day crap like this happens to a judge or politician's relatives we might get some justice. At least there is precedence now that somebody can be sent to jail.

Amen .... need felony charges.

[Rada]

Hopefully the two riders hurt will get some better justice in civil courts.

[bluesea]

The day crap like this happens to a judge or politician's relatives we might get some justice. At least there is precedence now that somebody can be sent to jail.


Actually *we* won't get justice, but the judge/politician's relatives will.

[spartanKid]

The plea bargain is what limited his sentence. Had he had the original charges of assault with a deadly weapon stick, he'd be facing A LOT more time.

[btl68]

Plea-bargained down THREE felony charges to this crap.:rolleyes:

Hopefully, the two cyclists win a huge settlement in the civil trial they have planned!

[soulspinner]

I wonder if they were an Arizona congressmans teenager in the injured ,if that would change the justice part of this.

[sales guy]

The civil trial will be a joke also. They didn't die and riding a bike is a kids thing, not a job. That's the way the jury will look at it. Unless the guys have excellent lawyers, they might get 5 or 10k and medical expenses paid for. His insurance will cover it all.

[thwart]

There's a 'vulnerable user' bill moving through the WI legislature, introduced by a Republican state senator. It will hopefully get bipartisan support.

The WI Bike Fed has been encouraging its members to lobby their representatives.

Hoping it avoids the possibility of folks 'bumping' cyclists and getting off with a misdemeanor.

Would be another reason to come and ride in the Cheesehead State.

But not in the winter. :help:

[redir]

WTH was the bargain? Obviously they don't understand what it means to bargain. Sickens me to think that this attempted murderer still has the right to vote.

Thing is everyone in that court room from the judge on down to the common court all hold the same belief that cyclists are annoying because they take about 20 second of your time on the road to pass safely.

[ANAO]

I detest the legal system.

[sitzmark]

While a bit "light", the sentence isn't inconsistent with general road-rage/endangerment cases. Two years seems to be consistent - either probationary or time served, depending on the individual's driving record, the actions involved, and prior incidents of similar conduct. Successfully securing a felony conviction would have depended on the circumstances of the incident.

As we fight for our same rights to the road as other vehicles, we can't then ask for special treatment/enforcement. Obviously the prosecutor is working with the specific details of the incident and trying to achieve a successful and defensible judgement against the defendant. One would hope (expect) that any future actions by the convicted offender will result in a much harsher sentence. With luck, his "foot-in-the-cell" situation will deter future incidents. That said, there are many, many convicted repeat drunk drivers on the road.

It sux, but sharing the road with A-holes goes with the territory. Happily legal action was successful and moves the needle in the right direction.

[sales guy]

While a bit "light", the sentence isn't inconsistent with general road-rage/endangerment cases. Two years seems to be consistent - either probationary or time served, depending on the individual's driving record, the actions involved, and prior incidents of similar conduct. Successfully securing a felony conviction would have depended on the circumstances of the incident.

It sux, but sharing the road with A-holes goes with the territory. Happily legal action was successful and moves the needle in the right direction.


The problem is if this was just a bystander walking on the road who was hit, the person would have gotten a harsher sentence. That's a fact. Look at history. But for whatever reason, a cyclist who is on the road is looked at as an operator and put their life out there and that's their fault. They need to be looked at like someone walking on the side of the road. And drivers need to treat cyclists as walkers and give them a wide berth. But it will never happen in America.

[oldpotatoe]

The problem is if this was just a bystander walking on the road who was hit, the person would have gotten a harsher sentence. That's a fact. Look at history. But for whatever reason, a cyclist who is on the road is looked at as an operator and put their life out there and that's their fault. They need to be looked at like someone walking on the side of the road. And drivers need to treat cyclists as walkers and give them a wide berth. But it will never happen in America.

Agree. Cycling, even in cycling meccas like the republic and Portland, it is STILL a car's world and always will be. Cycling is a fringe activity and unless something happens..like scarce fuel..it will remain so. BUT if fuel is scarce, we will have other, bigger problems.

BUT a shoulder, bike lane, something, would go a long way..plus cyclists who don't intentionally try to piss car drivers off by their (in)action...

[sales guy]

Agree. Cycling, even in cycling meccas like the republic and Portland, it is STILL a car's world and always will be. Cycling is a fringe activity and unless something happens

BUT a shoulder, bike lane, something, would go a long way..plus cyclists who don't intentionally try to piss car drivers off by their (in)action...

Agreed big time!

Unless a bunch of politicos kids or grand kids or themselves are hurt while riding nothing will change.

[sitzmark]

The problem is if this was just a bystander walking on the road who was hit, the person would have gotten a harsher sentence. That's a fact. Look at history. But for whatever reason, a cyclist who is on the road is looked at as an operator and put their life out there and that's their fault. They need to be looked at like someone walking on the side of the road. And drivers need to treat cyclists as walkers and give them a wide berth. But it will never happen in America.

Totally disagree. I like the fact that I (we) am viewed as an "operator" and have the same rights to the roadways as operators of other vehicles. Do not want to be considered a pedestrian and relegated to sidewalks. I have the legal right to operate as any other vehicle on the roadways and do not want to lose that. Passing with discretion and responsibility applies to all situations. A 3 meter (minimum) law is becoming more prevalent across the US - good rule for all passing situation regardless of vehicle type.

[plattyjo]

Re: civil case -- I was chatting with one of the teammates on Twitter and he noted that's a good thing one of their team sponsors is a law firm...

[EchelonLeft]

I wonder if the Tucson AD office pleads down other "assault with weapon" charges as a general practice.

Just curious.

[tylerbick]

Hopefully one of his cellmates has a nice big silca frame pump...

[Bkat]

Does he get to keep his driver's license? I thought they were up'ing charges in incidence of road rage?