Udo is gone. Story about cyclists and a professional driver and the sad results.
11-16-14, 12:02 PM
#1
genec
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Udo is gone. Story about cyclists and a professional driver and the sad results.
Deadly Camp Pendleton Bus Crash Investigation Revealed | NBC 7 San Diego
Or if you prefer to read the story...
https://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2...-udo-was-gone/
This was a case of three cyclists, riding along a quiet roadway with no other traffic, on a clear sunny day, being hit by a transit bus.
The real question is what was the bus driver doing at the time of the collision. The transit district refuses to release video from the 6 cameras on board, but some still photos have been obtained that show the riders in single file, no oncoming traffic and plenty of room for a bus to move over.
Did the driver even realize the cyclists were there? Was the driver otherwise distracted?
Initial reports said the driver swerved to avoid the cyclists, and then swerved back to avoid oncoming traffic. The attorney for the cyclists (he has seen the video) says the video shows nothing of this nature. There was no on-coming traffic at all.
Disclosure: Richard Duquette is a local attorney that defends cyclists in car bike collisions
Three cyclists... bright clothing, sunny day, professional driver.
To the best of my knowledge, no charges filed. Certainly this is a violation of the CA 3 foot law, and perhaps reckless driving... or more. Civil cases are pending.
Or if you prefer to read the story...
https://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2...-udo-was-gone/
This was a case of three cyclists, riding along a quiet roadway with no other traffic, on a clear sunny day, being hit by a transit bus.
The real question is what was the bus driver doing at the time of the collision. The transit district refuses to release video from the 6 cameras on board, but some still photos have been obtained that show the riders in single file, no oncoming traffic and plenty of room for a bus to move over.
Did the driver even realize the cyclists were there? Was the driver otherwise distracted?
Initial reports said the driver swerved to avoid the cyclists, and then swerved back to avoid oncoming traffic. The attorney for the cyclists (he has seen the video) says the video shows nothing of this nature. There was no on-coming traffic at all.
Duquette says published reports stating the bus swerved to miss the cyclists then sideswiped them trying to avoid oncoming traffic are false.
“The bus impacted the rear end of all the bicycles it was a frontal impact,” Duquette said.
Photos obtained by NBC 7 indicate just that.
The damage is on the right front bumper of the bus. Still photos, made from onboard cameras, were filed along with a claim for damages against the transit district and driver Gamal Mohamed Hamouda.
“This was a clear sunny day on a straight road with clear visibility,” Duquette said.
The photos are time stamped. They indicate four seconds before impact the cyclists are off to the right and single file with no oncoming traffic. At 12:49:41 the bus approaches the riders with still no other traffic. Then at 12:49:42 the bus collides with the riders.
What was the driver doing at the time?
The North County Transit District (NCTD) denied our request for a copy of the video tape or we would show you. Could it be a case of distracted driving? Duquette has seen the tape.
“The bus driver clearly had an object in his hand up to the right side of his face and or in front of him at the time just before impact,” Duquette said.
“The bus impacted the rear end of all the bicycles it was a frontal impact,” Duquette said.
Photos obtained by NBC 7 indicate just that.
The damage is on the right front bumper of the bus. Still photos, made from onboard cameras, were filed along with a claim for damages against the transit district and driver Gamal Mohamed Hamouda.
“This was a clear sunny day on a straight road with clear visibility,” Duquette said.
The photos are time stamped. They indicate four seconds before impact the cyclists are off to the right and single file with no oncoming traffic. At 12:49:41 the bus approaches the riders with still no other traffic. Then at 12:49:42 the bus collides with the riders.
What was the driver doing at the time?
The North County Transit District (NCTD) denied our request for a copy of the video tape or we would show you. Could it be a case of distracted driving? Duquette has seen the tape.
“The bus driver clearly had an object in his hand up to the right side of his face and or in front of him at the time just before impact,” Duquette said.
Three cyclists... bright clothing, sunny day, professional driver.
To the best of my knowledge, no charges filed. Certainly this is a violation of the CA 3 foot law, and perhaps reckless driving... or more. Civil cases are pending.
11-16-14, 12:24 PM
#2
Banned
This is just a horrible case of being "a sleep at the wheel". Missing one cyclist at night is bad enough, but three in broad daylight is inexcusable, and I only hope that this bus driver has quit driving professionally.
11-16-14, 01:45 PM
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genec
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It is quite interesting that the original stories that came out were totally wrong... both the video evidence and the damage on the bus all should point to other conclusions... yet there is denial and cover-up.
11-16-14, 02:00 PM
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What I would like, along with many others, is seeing the video of the bus driver just before, during, and after the collision incident.
11-16-14, 02:01 PM
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If they had been riding three abreast and using the entire lane they likely would not have been hit. The sad reality is that drivers are looking for large objects in the lane; cars, trucks, and motorcycles, they aren't looking for small objects on the righthand 10% of the lane. They should be. And we should do everything we can to get them to do so. But the reality is that getting them to do so is a tall and likely impossible order, especially on roads like this where a driver can look quickly ahead, see nothing in 99% of the lane, and go back to their thoughts (no cell phone is necessary for distracted driving though they certainly increase the likelihood).
11-16-14, 02:09 PM
#6
Banned
If they had been riding three abreast and using the entire lane they likely would not have been hit. The sad reality is that drivers are looking for large objects in the lane; cars, trucks, and motorcycles, they aren't looking for small objects on the righthand 10% of the lane.
11-16-14, 02:15 PM
#7
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Being a professional driver for a large passenger coach, this person should be trained in knowing where the right side of his vehicle is, and in fully scanning 100 percent of the roadway for any object that might be in his path, this incident is totally inexcusable on the driver's part, the passengers were more alert than the driver was.
11-17-14, 11:20 AM
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Just maybe this makes a case for much stricter regulation of driving jobs--national standards, frequent re-testing of drivers, limits on driving hours that are actually enforced. This may partially be the very bad result of our business culture infecting safety related jobs and the imperative to keep services cheap. Damnit, manage transportation companies and services with safety ahead of efficiency, pay drivers enough so they don't "need" overtime and don't want to moonlight and let the services cost what they have to.
11-17-14, 12:02 PM
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Just maybe this makes a case for much stricter regulation of driving jobs--national standards, frequent re-testing of drivers, limits on driving hours that are actually enforced. This may partially be the very bad result of our business culture infecting safety related jobs and the imperative to keep services cheap. Damnit, manage transportation companies and services with safety ahead of efficiency, pay drivers enough so they don't "need" overtime and don't want to moonlight and let the services cost what they have to.
I suspect the incident in question must be distracted driving, sitting up high makes seeing cyclists and pedestrians out front much easier in daylight.
11-17-14, 12:24 PM
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Little confused. Is this story a year old? If so what was the result of any punishment for the driver?
How has the family fared since this tragic act of carelessness?
How has the family fared since this tragic act of carelessness?
11-17-14, 06:25 PM
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drove 16 hours on interstate highways last week, and the number of motorists that were texting was off the charts. I hope that the number of people that are willing to do that on a road shared with bicycles is somewhat less, but the idiots are still out there
11-18-14, 08:26 AM
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In the numbers of single auto/cyclist collisions, where the driver ends up being the only viable witness, this incident highlights on what really happened versus what the driver said had happened. Though a considerable effort can be involved at times, a video recording of one's bicycle ride can make all the difference in what could have been an otherwise one sided testimonial.
What I would like, along with many others, is seeing the video of the bus driver just before, during, and after the collision incident.
What I would like, along with many others, is seeing the video of the bus driver just before, during, and after the collision incident.
11-18-14, 08:37 AM
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Eight months after the crash on Stuart Mesa Road in Camp Pendleton, a settlement was announced against the bus company in favor of Duquette's client, John Edwards.
The financial terms of Edwards' settlement were not disclosed, but Duquette says it doesn't just include money.
The financial terms of Edwards' settlement were not disclosed, but Duquette says it doesn't just include money.
Follow us: @NBCsandiego on Twitter | NBCSanDiego on Facebook
Edwards was one of the three cyclists hit. He insisted that as part of the settlement, the bus company will have to team with the San Diego Bike Coalition to change its safety policy when it comes to sharing the road with bikers.
Still, no word on what actually happened... as the transit company still refuses to release the videos.
11-18-14, 09:07 AM
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Source: Cyclist Hit by North County Bus Reaches Settlement | NBC 7 San Diego
Follow us: @NBCsandiego on Twitter | NBCSanDiego on Facebook
Edwards was one of the three cyclists hit. He insisted that as part of the settlement, the bus company will have to team with the San Diego Bike Coalition to change its safety policy when it comes to sharing the road with bikers.
Still, no word on what actually happened... as the transit company still refuses to release the videos.
Follow us: @NBCsandiego on Twitter | NBCSanDiego on Facebook
Edwards was one of the three cyclists hit. He insisted that as part of the settlement, the bus company will have to team with the San Diego Bike Coalition to change its safety policy when it comes to sharing the road with bikers.
Still, no word on what actually happened... as the transit company still refuses to release the videos.
Thank you.
Any justice system action on the bus driver?
11-18-14, 09:18 AM
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I imagine the lawyers have all video / photographic evidence in this horrifying accident. Evidence won't be released to the general public if there is pending litigation.
11-18-14, 04:40 PM
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I would honestly think that the authorities have possession of that video and it is in the middle of an investigation.
Let's not sink to the level of Yahoo! comment logic, please.
Let's not sink to the level of Yahoo! comment logic, please.
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11-18-14, 07:06 PM
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11-18-14, 07:25 PM
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This is a public agency staffed by civil servants. Servants of the people. The *authorities* are the citizens who fund this agency. Every time something like this has gone to the courts FOIA has trumped the imaginary "authority" of petty bureaucrats.
11-18-14, 08:02 PM
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Or public prosecutors have no attorney-client privileges since everything they do must be laid bare to the public if so demanded.
11-18-14, 10:25 PM
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Stuff happens. Cycling on the highway is inherently dangerous anytime of the day or night. I am never surprised to peek into A&S and see a new collection of white-washed crosses at the side of the road. There are so many different ways to get distracted driving a motor vehicle and they are so proficient at killing one another that we have to expect some of our cycling comrades will be among those casualties.
Some here make fun of me when I compare cycling on USA highways and roadways to war. Traveling through hostile territory, outgunned and outnumbered, can only end badly for many who don't take that activity seriously. We have no control over the other guy. All we can do is try to stay out of the line of fire. I wonder if any of the cyclists had rear-view mirrors, not that would make much difference if a motor vehicle drifted to the right at the last second.
Some here make fun of me when I compare cycling on USA highways and roadways to war. Traveling through hostile territory, outgunned and outnumbered, can only end badly for many who don't take that activity seriously. We have no control over the other guy. All we can do is try to stay out of the line of fire. I wonder if any of the cyclists had rear-view mirrors, not that would make much difference if a motor vehicle drifted to the right at the last second.
11-18-14, 10:38 PM
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Stuff happens. Cycling on the highway is inherently dangerous anytime of the day or night. I am never surprised to peek into A&S and see a new collection of white-washed crosses at the side of the road. There are so many different ways to get distracted driving a motor vehicle and they are so proficient at killing one another that we have to expect some of our cycling comrades will be among those casualties.
Some here make fun of me when I compare cycling on USA highways and roadways to war. Traveling through hostile territory, outgunned and outnumbered, can only end badly for many who don't take that activity seriously. We have no control over the other guy. All we can do is try to stay out of the line of fire. I wonder if any of the cyclists had rear-view mirrors, not that would make much difference if a motor vehicle drifted to the right at the last second.
Some here make fun of me when I compare cycling on USA highways and roadways to war. Traveling through hostile territory, outgunned and outnumbered, can only end badly for many who don't take that activity seriously. We have no control over the other guy. All we can do is try to stay out of the line of fire. I wonder if any of the cyclists had rear-view mirrors, not that would make much difference if a motor vehicle drifted to the right at the last second.
11-18-14, 10:50 PM
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Originally Posted by joeybike;
I compare cycling on USA highways and roadways to war.
I don't think getting killed by accident is any better than getting killed on purpose. I think it helps to act like the next one is THE one that is going to take me out.
11-18-14, 11:39 PM
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I hope the cyclists' recover. Not just from their physical injuries. But also from the emotional ignorance on the part of the bus district for not releasing the videos'.
11-19-14, 02:08 AM
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I was met Udo through cyclocross.
A race he organized is now named in his honor.
Odd that there has been a settlement before the criminal case is done.
I think this would be a federal case as it took place on Camp Pendleton, right?
A race he organized is now named in his honor.
Odd that there has been a settlement before the criminal case is done.
I think this would be a federal case as it took place on Camp Pendleton, right?