Hit and Run

[Wayne77]

Last night at dusk I was riding my bike heading East on a two lane road, medium traffic. As I was happily tooling along, enjoying one of the last nice weather rides of the year, I hear two distant crashes up the road ahead of me but I don't see anything. A few seconds later I can see a large white industrial box truck barreling down the road towards me, going the opposite direction, about 50 mph. As he get's closer I notice the front end of his truck is all mashed in and think, "hmm that's kind of odd". As he get's closer he starts to veer into my lane and I hear him step on the gas. Since this was a kid filled neighborhood I motion with my arm for him to slow down. Just as I do that, he veers over all the way into oncoming traffic, and goes behind me about 10' from my rear wheel. I turn around and see him hit a Suburban, knock it off the road, then he regains control, goes back into his lane, keeps accelerating, and then steers into the side of a Nissan Pathfinder heading East. After that, the guy loses control and goes right through a telephone pole, the transformer explodes, then he jumps the curb, and finally stops in the middle of someone's yard, leaving a path of destruction behind: The telephone pole was destroyed, on its side with power lines lying all over the place, two very mashed up cars, the front of the truck was smashed up pretty bad, but not enough to think it had just taken out a phone pole. The most sobering sight however, was the fact that an adjacent home had kids playing in the front yard - who most definitely would not have survived had the truck barreled through their yard.

I immediately called 911 and started to ride over to the two cars to check on the occupants. I got a little pit in my stomach wondering what kind of carnage I would find. Miraculously, no one in either vehicle was seriously harmed - they managed to dodge head-on collisions (the truck only managed to hit the back end and side of each as they played “dodge-the box-truck”). As soon as a few of us (myself and some other bystanders) were sure no one was hurt, we turned our attention to the box truck, thinking the guy was probably gone. He wasn't - he was just sitting there in a daze in the cab of his truck. The Police were already there and had him on the ground in cuffs. Then they put him on a stretcher, and escorted him to the Hospital. I'm not sure how much he was injured.

After talking to the Police, I headed home and found the source of the earlier crashes: The box truck had taken out two other cars a mile up the road, 4 in total!

I'm not sure what to think of all this. I'm just glad no one was hurt. What causes someone to snap like this? Maybe it was medical, or maybe he just got fired, who knows? I don't think he was drunk - takes a little coordination to ram a car off the road, regain control, and do it three more times.

Anyway, thanks for listening...

[Kevan]

That's putting it mildly.

I assume the local news will have the lowdown. Now that you've introduced us to this havoc, let us know the outcome.

Lucky you stayed clear.

[BumbleBeeDave]

. . . he had just seen those naked pics of Sandy? :eek:

Seriously, though, it sounds like you were very lucky not to get taken out yourself if he missed you by ten feet. Do you think he really was trying to hit you, too, and just missed?

BBD

[Wayne77]

. . . he had just seen those naked pics of Sandy? :eek:

Seriously, though, it sounds like you were very lucky not to get taken out yourself if he missed you by ten feet. Do you think he really was trying to hit you, too, and just missed?

BBD

Since he swerved right after I motioned for him to slow down, that was my initial thought (you never know what will set people off), but after finding out he had already taken out two cars, I assume the rage was already flowin' and I just happened to be nearby

[Wayne77]

That's putting it mildly.

I assume the local news will have the lowdown. Now that you've introduced us to this havoc, let us know the outcome.

Lucky you stayed clear.

Yeah, I'm going to check the news. So far I haven't seen anything on the local affiliate web sites. I'll post an update as soon as I get one though. Thanks for the concern.

[gasman]

All I can say is ..



Holy crap ! Glad you are OK.

Let us know what the police and news report.

[sc53]

Wayne, where did this happen? Are you in the city or burbs or out in a rural area? and what state?? This was crazy lethal behavior, it's a miracle no one was killed, including you. It sounds like he was aiming (badly) right at you. Good thing he rammed SUV's, can you imagine if he slammed into a Miata or VW bug or something? This is the kind of incident where passersby end up beating the driver senseless once they pull him out of his vehicle. Maybe he had a seizure or something.

[Wayne77]

Wayne, where did this happen? Are you in the city or burbs or out in a rural area? and what state?? This was crazy lethal behavior, it's a miracle no one was killed, including you. It sounds like he was aiming (badly) right at you. Good thing he rammed SUV's, can you imagine if he slammed into a Miata or VW bug or something? This is the kind of incident where passersby end up beating the driver senseless once they pull him out of his vehicle. Maybe he had a seizure or something.


This was in a suburban area north of SLC, Utah. I certainly hope it wasn't realted to my gesture to slow down! Even if the gesture was warranted, I'd hate to be indirectly related to the cause of the mayhem. -Does make me want to think twice before giving any 'tude to bad drivers in the future though. You never know what will set someone off.

[Erik.Lazdins]

I'm glad you were ok, this sounds like the guy snapped, but I shall take this as today's lesson to live well.

Get in an uneventful but scenic ride tomorrow to make up for today.

[ti_boi]

DAMN! That is crazy....I was on my bike about 6:45AM one morning...an old guy was pulling into a synogogue very slowly and a beat up pickup was barreling down the street.

The pickup locked up his brakes...smashing into the old guy's sedan...at which point I pulled my bike up onto the sidewalk from the street...and watched as the truck backed up and pressed the accelerator to take off....the driver glared at me (spandex has that effect on some people)

The truck driver took off down the road while I followed his departure with my eyes. Yes, I memorized his liscence number and went over the old guy and his buddies who had emerged from the schul to see what had happened...."hey fellas...here is his number".

...They were grateful...I used to carry a tiny pad and pencil in case I needed to write a number down cause on bikes we are so 'close to the action'.... :crap:

[JohnS]

Utah? Maybe his wives just left him. :p

[Lincoln]

Wayne,

Where were you riding?

BTW, a few hours before your "event" I was riding a bit south of there: Alpine Loop road. It was great, especially since half of the road is closed for the season--no cars! Well OK, there were two forest service maintenance trucks. I was bummed not to have a camera.

[vaxn8r]

Utah? Maybe his wives just left him. :p
What an a$$.

[Kevin]

Lets all be careful out there.

Kevin

[BumbleBeeDave]

What an a$$.

Go easy on poor John . . . We all have our "Gee-I-Wish-I-Hadn't-Said-That" type moments. Why, I know it will come as a total surprise, but I've even had a few MYSELF! ;)

BBD

[Kevin]

. . We all have our "Gee-I-Wish-I-Hadn't-Said-That" type moments. Why, I know it will come as a total surprise, but I've even had a few MYSELF! ;)

BBD

Perhaps a marriage proposal, or an "I do" :D

Kevin

[BumbleBeeDave]

I asked and you said "no!" You were polite about it, but my heart is still broken! ;) :rolleyes: :(

:p :D BBD

[Kevin]

It was a "stinger" issue :D

Kevin

[William]

Scary experience. I'm glad no one was seriously hurt.


William

[BumbleBeeDave]

Scary experience. I'm glad no one was seriously hurt.

You ARE referring to the hit-and-run incident, right? :rolleyes:

BBD

[JohnS]

What an a$$.
Geez, thanks! Here we always thought that you were a pediatrician but (pun intended) now we find out you're a proctologist! :p

[Wayne77]

Wayne,

Where were you riding?

BTW, a few hours before your "event" I was riding a bit south of there: Alpine Loop road. It was great, especially since half of the road is closed for the season--no cars! Well OK, there were two forest service maintenance trucks. I was bummed not to have a camera.

I was riding back home through Syracuse. There's some nice country roads way out north west of there. Alpine Loop is a nice road. Good to hear I'm not the only crazy dude from Utah here!

[Kevan]

when I was knee-high to a grasshopper... I lived in Sandy and a couple years later Murphy [?]. My first bicycle experience started there. M&D placed beside the Christmas tree a gold Denult single speed touring bike, complete with a frame pump that never seemed to work. Anyway, my dad wasn't particularly good at frame/rider fitting. He figured he'd make the bike last into my highschool years. I'd have to start the bike by standing on a wall and would have to roll the bike onto the lawn and fall off it in order to get off. I think his instructions were tuck and roll. No helmets back then, it might explain for my limitations.

[BumbleBeeDave]

when I was knee-high to a grasshopper... I lived in Sandy and a couple years later Murphy [?]. . . .

I hope to God you're going to explain this. Which, uh, "Sandy" are you talking about? And who is Murphy? and what exactly did grasshoppers have to do with this? . . . :eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

In any event, this episode from your childrhood explains SO much . . . :rolleyes:

BBD

[Kevan]

What comes around, goes around. What can I say?

[martianbait]

Wayne, glad to hear you're all right. It can be dangerous out there.

Has the news been more forthcoming?

[Wayne77]

when I was knee-high to a grasshopper... I lived in Sandy and a couple years later Murphy [?]. My first bicycle experience started there. M&D placed beside the Christmas tree a gold Denult single speed touring bike, complete with a frame pump that never seemed to work. Anyway, my dad wasn't particularly good at frame/rider fitting. He figured he'd make the bike last into my highschool years. I'd have to start the bike by standing on a wall and would have to roll the bike onto the lawn and fall off it in order to get off. I think his instructions were tuck and roll. No helmets back then, it might explain for my limitations.

:)

Sandy (the city) is just an offshoot of SLC. I worked there for a few years at an architectural firm. Pretty decent place to live I guess... I'm not sure how Sandy (again, the city) received the notoriety, but sometimes people use the term "Sandy Candy" around here for a common anti-depressant drug that is sometimes over-prescribed. Not sure what that little tidbit of useless trivia is worth though..

Could your memories of Sandy (the city) have anything to do with your current interactions with Sandy (the person)? :rolleyes: :D

[Wayne77]

Wayne, glad to hear you're all right. It can be dangerous out there.

Has the news been more forthcoming?

Thanks for the concern. No follow-up news yet - the police just said the investigation was "ongoing".

[Kevan]

:)

Sandy (the city) is just an offshoot of SLC. I worked there for a few years at an architectural firm. Pretty decent place to live I guess... I'm not sure how Sandy (again, the city) received the notoriety, but sometimes people use the term "Sandy Candy" around here for a common anti-depressant drug that is sometimes over-prescribed. Not sure what that little tidbit of useless trivia is worth though..

Could your memories of Sandy (the city) have anything to do with your current interactions with Sandy (the person)? :rolleyes: :D

I don't know!!! [Office colleagues are staring at me.] This is all rushing at me like a large white industrial box truck barreling down on me!!! I'm so full of emotion right now, I'm seeing red! [ Another outburst of tears and sobbing. I'm making the people around me nervous.] May be this all stems from a buried hatred of my father for buying a bike suitable for someone William's size, I just don't know! [ Yet more crying.] Is it Sandy the city or Sandy the person where my angst is harbored?! I don't know!!! But I can tell you this... that large white industrial box truck barreling down me is getting closer and closer and I can just now see the driver and it's... its'... it's...

SANDY and he's been consumed with murderous intent. GULP!!!!

[Lincoln]

Kevan,

It was probably Murray, another suburb just south of SLC. Maybe the bike was a Murray?

[Kevan]

Kevan,

It was probably Murray, another suburb just south of SLC. Maybe the bike was a Murray?

Now, who the hell is Murphy?

[Lincoln]

Go easy on poor John . . . We all have our "Gee-I-Wish-I-Hadn't-Said-That" type moments. Why, I know it will come as a total surprise, but I've even had a few MYSELF! ;)

BBD

OR....
Geez, thanks! Here we always thought that you were a pediatrician but (pun intended) now we find out you're a proctologist!


...NOT

John, Vax may have over-reacted a little but come on, your comment was off-color. Odds are that several people in here are LDS.