I just got off the phone with Torrin. He heard from the doctors last Thursday that his blindness isn't going to get any better. He says he has limited peripheral vision, and no vision straight ahead. Basically, no more bike riding for him ever.
This (http://www.co.marin.ca.us/depts/DA/main/dist/ESBbio.cfm) is the San Rafael District Attorney's webpage. Call, write, fax, email this guy letting him know that letting the perpetrator of a hit and run off with a misdemenor charge is utterly ridiculous and won't play too favorably in the court of public opinion. seriously guys and gals. Torrin is a good friend of mine, he was a poster here until the blindness got so bad that he couldn't read, and riding his bike was a huge part of his life. Anyone who has any media connections, especially in the SF bay area, anything you can do would be much appreciated. We can't let this scumbag get away with this.
If anyone else has any ideas about how we can help him, please post them. If it's cool with the mods and Joe, I'd like to cross-post this to the advocacy forum as well.
Mod Edit:
This is not a cross-post, but moved from Singlespeed and Fixed Gear -forum. For background on what happened to lucklust, see post number 11 by OneTinSloth below.
--J, a Forum Mod
wangster
05-09-05, 10:49 PM
Wow, I'm so sorry to hear that. I will do my part and write this guy as soon as I can. This sort of sh*t cannot go unpunished. That guys needs to learn a lesson for life. Because he can't control his temper, someone's life is ruined. I'll ask around with the peeps I know in San Fran and see if they can do something. Give Torrin my best regards and that I hope everything will turn out well in the end. I'm a firm believer in karma and so I know that everything will be righted. Good luck to everyone and a safe ride for life.
endform
05-09-05, 11:01 PM
To call in I think it might be important to be able to know lucklust's name since I'm guessing that is what the DA does not know him by that. Or perhaps the name of the perp would be better.
fixedpip
05-09-05, 11:03 PM
Have you tried talking to the SFBC and Marin Bike Coalitons for help in getting letters etc out?
http://www.marinbike.org/
http://www.sfbike.org/
Seems I've read about a lot of hit and runs, where no-one gets prosecuted or help responsible for their actions. It really makes me bloody angry to see this not being taking seriously by the Justice system.
Thoughts are with Torrin on this.
G-Unit
05-09-05, 11:23 PM
I thought he was going to recover??
Looks like some old school Sicilian style justice is what the doctor ordered. (Not that I'm volunteering)...
I hope Lucklust is going to do OK, the human will is a mighty force.
BlastRadius
05-09-05, 11:39 PM
I just shot an email to SF Bike and Marin Bike to see if they can help with some advocacy.
ostro
05-09-05, 11:47 PM
This is horrible! I dont understand how someone can get away with it. I am trully infururaited!
I dont have any bright ideas to make it all right, but maybe we should organize some sort of awareness ride to increase the publicity of this incident. If we make a big enough stink about it and do it right, we can raise media awareness and perhaps they will take the charges more seriously.
Even if Torrin wasnt our friend, fellow forum member, cyclist, etc., we should all realize the fact that this kind of crap can happen to any of us!
Terror_in_pink
05-10-05, 01:15 AM
Poor Torrin. He called me a few weeks ago and said something about getting hit again... was this walking?
charlesw
05-10-05, 02:03 AM
Can you give us a news report or something I can read? I want to help you but I need more than just the name Torrin. Do you have more details, facts, etc. that were taken down by a reporter?
To make our case known we need to look together and somewhat official.
BlastRadius
05-10-05, 02:46 AM
Can you give us a news report or something I can read? I want to help you but I need more than just the name Torrin. Do you have more details, facts, etc. that were taken down by a reporter?
To make our case known we need to look together and somewhat official.
Here's the thread with more info...
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=95342&highlight=torrin
OneTinSloth
05-10-05, 03:29 AM
Can you give us a news report or something I can read? I want to help you but I need more than just the name Torrin. Do you have more details, facts, etc. that were taken down by a reporter?
To make our case known we need to look together and somewhat official.
I was thinking about doing some type of form letter and then having it available to print out for people to mail in. I just found out about this tonight, so I haven't really thought everything out about what to do, which is why I asked for suggestions.
To summarize what happened in this thread:
Torrin was riding along a busy street, a guy in a truck swerved past him, almost hitting him. Torrin at some point got past him again. The guy then blows by him again, hits him, and speeds off. Torrin of course fell off his bike, shattering his helmet and hitting the back of his head. If he hadn't been wearing the helmet, he'd be dead. Witnesses then chased down the driver and forced him to turn himself in.
I'm going out to visit him tomorrow, and I'll work with him on a form letter, and get as many details as possible. I'm not very good at sounding all official and stuff, but I'll try to get one together and post it up tomorrow night and then whoever wants to can punch it up a bit as they see fit and then repost their version. I think, in order to make the largest impact on this situation, it would be awesome if we could get as many people as possible from marin county to write in, as their voices would be the strongest because they'd come from that community. I'll get dates, details and Torrin's last name, and perhaps a case number. I'll also give the various bike coalitions a call to see what they can do.
I was also thinking about putting together a flyer that we could post in bike shops, if anyone with some graphic design skills (if that's even necessary in this case) could help out with that, it'd be great. We could get copies to him to put at the shop he worked at, and of course, I'd put some up at mine, and distribute them to as many other LBSes too.
This is the first time i've tried to mobilize and get people to come together, so I don't really know what steps to take. I'll take all of your suggestions to heart, and so far they've all been good. Thanks to BR for linking to the original threads. I'm also going to be busy with work, as we've had some crap go down in the last couple of days that isn't going to be very good for us, and needs to be handled in a professional manner.
With regard to an awareness ride, the ride of silence (http://www.rideofsilence.org/main.php) is coming up on may 18th. Read more about it on that website, and if there isn't a ride in your area, i strongly suggest trying to organize one. I'm going to be calling people to find out about one in the east bay probably either tomorrow, or wednesday.
and yeah, he did get hit again a few weeks back while crossing the street. He had his guide stick with him and some dumbass ran a stop sign and rolled right into him...the guy isn't having a very good year.
I don't think there is a news article, but there might be a clipping from from the newspaper from the "police beat" section. I'll get as many facts as I can about what happened. I'll also tell him that there's a lot of support coming out of here. He'll like that.
Rancid
05-10-05, 04:42 AM
anything I can do, you got it. Just send me Torrin's last namr, date and location of thr accident(if you've got it) so I can get it in my letter to the DA.
MKRG
05-10-05, 06:35 AM
I'm in!
royalflash
05-10-05, 06:45 AM
thats totally sickening and depressing- you can do anything in a car and pretty much get away with it- I don't think the DA will take much notice of any interfering Europeans but just PM me if I can help
lala
05-10-05, 07:00 AM
Does Torrin have a lawyer and can he contact the witnesses?
It was a really bad idea to read this during breakfast.
Let's keep this thread alive and support Torrin however we can.
hella
05-10-05, 08:31 AM
Armed and ready with pen and paper. Let us know when you finish the form letter.
rusholme
05-10-05, 09:54 AM
this is soooo disgusting it makes me sick to my stomach.
losing torrin as a cyclist is punishment enough to our community, let alone having some remorseless jerk back out on the streets.
please post the form letter so we can copy and paste.
thanks
timmhaan
05-10-05, 10:04 AM
i'd be happy to help as well. OneTinSloth - i appauld what you're doing. just hope it makes a difference.
bostontrevor
05-10-05, 10:18 AM
That's absolutely terrible beyond words. Please post here or PM me with his last name and the case number. This is assault with a deadly weapon and probably a few others like reckless endangerment. There are witnesses to the incident, the driver fled the scene of the accident... This is no misdemeanor assault. Absolutely disgusting and Torrin's never going to be able to see properly again.
phidauex
05-10-05, 10:47 AM
Yes, give us the info we need to contact the DA with (name, etc), and we'll do it! That judgement is a farce, and the DA needs to know this. For those of us who are 'out of town', make sure you note that you don't feel safe visiting places that place so little value on life, and will NOT be travelling to that city.
peace,
sam
phidauex
05-10-05, 10:49 AM
Does torrin have a lawyer?? If so, can he persue this in civil court? I know in some places you can't 'double charge' someone, but you can hit someone in criminal court once, and then civil court once. He might get a sympathetic ear in civil court, especially since he has been permanently disabled.
-sam
OneTinSloth
05-10-05, 10:02 PM
hey everyone, i just got back from hanging out with torrin. we went to the beach and had a nice picnic. we also went to get him a talking clock and some more advice from the great folks at the lighthouse in san rafael.
he seemed in good spirits, and i'll be working on the form letter with him tonight. the great thing is, Torrin has connections, I have connections, and we all have connections too. Public opinion often has a lot more weight than anything else, so hopefully, we'll be able to work together to help send the right message to motorists by enforcing laws and handing down stiffer punishment to people who hit and run. that's what it's about.
we don't have a case number, because the guy hasn't officially been charged yet, but i got torrin's last name, and the date that of the accident. the letter will be coming shortly.
ivan_yulaev
05-10-05, 10:09 PM
This is terrible. I can't believe it, only on the roads can you get away with intentionally assaulting someone with a deadly weapon...
There seems to have been a lot of accidents lately. Be careful out there guys.
jeff williams
05-10-05, 10:20 PM
Wish I had resources or smarts to help.
+ thoughts for Torrin.
Dchiefransom
05-10-05, 10:50 PM
Let us know when you get the info, so we can put pressure on the DA to indict the guy with the proper charges. My bet is he doesn't only do this with cyclists, but with other motor vehicles as well. Time to get him off the road and out of polite society for an extended period.
OneTinSloth
05-10-05, 10:54 PM
Okay, here is what i have so far, it's really rough, and Torrin and I would both appreciate any feedback or input to make this sound more professional. This is the basic gist of what Torrin wants to be said. He made it clear to me that he doesn't want his case to be given special consideration, but rather, that all cases where an injury is involved be given equal consideration. We've also got a couple other ideas in the works about how to help both Torrin and other cyclists in the future, but we're going to do some more research and post something up when we have a more concrete idea of what we want to do.
Here's the text of the letter that we have so far:
To Mr. Edward Berberian, District Attorney of Marin County,
On February 26, 2005 Torrin Arnold, a member of the cycling community, was the victim of a hit and run incident which left him permanently blind. I am writing you on his behalf to help ensure that the perpetrator of this heinous act is prosecuted to the fullest extent that the law allows.
There are a great many cyclists who frequent the roads in and around Marin County who encounter drivers every day. A message must be sent to the public that drivers who hit and run will be punished. I am also a cyclist and need to feel safe on the roads of Marin County. I feel that all traffic violations involving an injury should be treated with the same level of consideration.
Raiyn
05-10-05, 10:54 PM
Send my best to him and let me know when that letter gets finished
Siu Blue Wind
05-10-05, 11:22 PM
We'll have to make copies of the letter and have as many of our friends send it too.
Please let Torrin know of the tremendous amount of support he has here. And thanks to you, for being a friend.
Rowan
05-10-05, 11:35 PM
All the best with the campaign. It will be a short-term fix, that hopefully will lead to a successful civil action for a longer-term solution.
But here's another thought, OTS.
You mentioned in your opening post that Torrin won't ride again. I beg to differ. You FG guys have enough panache to get together a tandem. Get him on the back. There might be balance issues to start with, but his love of cycling shouldn't end with a jerk's actions and Torrin's blindness.
There are many many blind riders who have gone on to Olympic representation... and the best part about it is that an able-bodied cyclist is part of the team... it's a win-win situation.
Torrin also hopefully will find his other senses will eventually become very heightened, and that he might be able to enjoy cycling even more because of that.
Just a suggestion or two.
OneTinSloth
05-10-05, 11:36 PM
He knows, and he's so grateful and appreciative of the support, and so am I. This can't happen without all the great folks here. Really, thankyou all for the support, it means so much.
Torrin is such a great guy. I brought up the idea of throwing a benefit party/show to help him out financially, because he's kinda SOL when it comes to paying for things that he needs to help him start living more independently. He said he'd feel like it would be selfish for it to just be for him, so together, we're cooking up something much bigger and something to help the community at large. Research begins tomorrow, and details will follow as they become available.
About the letter...It needs a solid conclusion, and the language needs to be punched up a bit from what I typed out. If we could all work together on drafting it and making it sound as professional as possible, that would be awesome. I'm going to get copies of it to Torrin and we'll be distributing them to bike shops, and other businesses in Marin, and I'll give some to any shop that'll accept them in the east bay. The cycling population here is huge, and our voices must be heard.
Chris L
05-10-05, 11:37 PM
I'll get a letter off myself in the next few days. I just need to get my aim right for throwing the paper aeroplane across the Pacific. ;)
BTW, I'd take the word "accident" out of the form letter and replace it with "incident". From the details I've read about this incident, it was no accident, and shouldn't be treated that way by the courts.
OneTinSloth
05-10-05, 11:39 PM
All the best with the campaign. It will be a short-term fix, that hopefully will lead to a successful civil action for a longer-term solution.
But here's another thought, OTS.
You mentioned in your opening post that Torrin won't ride again. I beg to differ. You FG guys have enough panache to get together a tandem. Get him on the back. There might be balance issues to start with, but his love of cycling shouldn't end with a jerk's actions and Torrin's blindness.
There are many many blind riders who have gone on to Olympic representation... and the best part about it is that an able-bodied cyclist is part of the team... it's a win-win situation.
Torrin also hopefully will find his other senses will eventually become very heightened, and that he might be able to enjoy cycling even more because of that.
Just a suggestion or two.
Torrin actually mentioned today that one of his friends is going to get a tandem and they're going to go on rides together, and once they get comfortable on it, they'll probably "fix" it. He seemed really excited about it, and I'm excited for him.
OneTinSloth
05-10-05, 11:40 PM
I'll get a letter off myself in the next few days. I just need to get my aim right for throwing the paper aeroplane across the Pacific. ;)
BTW, I'd take the word "accident" out of the form letter and replace it with "incident". From the details I've read about this incident, it was no accident, and shouldn't be treated that way by the courts.
done and done, thanks for the suggestion!
royalflash
05-11-05, 05:52 AM
Wouldnt it be possible to emphasise in the letter that we believe that the incident was intentional to distinguish it even more from an "accident" scenario. Thats the worst aspect of this whole thing. It was so avoidable. We need a message sent to this driver and to others that you can's just permanently injure people in a fit of temper and get away with it (even though it looks like you can in fact).
lilHinault
05-11-05, 06:08 AM
It was not "avoidable", it was INTENTIONAL.
So, a guy gets made at his wife, picks up a baseball bat and crushes her head, and can now get off because "he was mad for a moment"?? No, that's murder and the guy goes to the chair.
You guys need to make as BIG A STINK as you can, get the facts out there, show how wilful attempted murder of a cyclist is NOT ok no matter what Ford, GM, and Halliburton tell you.
Siu Blue Wind
05-11-05, 08:56 AM
How about saying that Torrin is a contributing citizen and a member of the cycling community.
-and-
...which left him permanently blind and now is forced to alter his lifestyle to accomodate his current physical limitations.
How does that sound?
Siu Blue Wind
05-11-05, 09:03 AM
-or-
I am also a cyclist as well as a taxpayer and need to feel safe on the roads of Marin County that we all must share.
-and- (maybe you can put in somewhere)
I hope that the beauty of Marin will not be tarnished by this terrible incident.
Hey guys, I hope my emotions are not getting too carried away in these suggestions...
Siu blue
Siu Blue Wind
05-11-05, 10:35 AM
Ok, ok, now this is getting to me. I've got this crazy idea. As well as send letters in, why don't we gather a whole bunch of signed letters, put them in a manila envelope (or box, whichever seems fitting) and HAND DELIVER them. We could all meet in a large parking lot close by to his office, WALK our bikes there (to show that we don't feel safe RIDING) and present them to him. It should be quiet and peaceful. We could attach placards or signs to the bikes. Call channel 4,5,and 7. Call the newspapers and let them know the cyclists will be there. Call the local police to let them know we will arrive. They will be so embarrassed, they will have no choice but to put some thought into this. But the important thing, is that we have to be peaceful. Nobody wants to help a group of rowdy people. We can't let Torrin be too close or else they will think he is setting this up. Then after the delivery we can go straight to the funderaiser, and invite the media to come.
We did something like this to the CEO of a large retail store to protest health cuts. But we went to his house. All ended better than we thought.
What do you think? Am I getting too out of my head with this idea?
tulip
05-11-05, 01:21 PM
If I were in California, I'd be there. You guys are doing great work.
I am blind in one eye. I may go blind in my other eye, no one knows if or when. I've already decided that if I do, I'm getting a tandem and a dog.
Keep up the good work, everybody.
OneTinSloth
05-11-05, 01:32 PM
That actually sounds like a really great idea! I'll run it by Torrin when I talk to him later on tonight. I can only call him after 9 now, because his cell phone bill is getting out of hand. I'll talk to him and see what he thinks!
here is the latest draft of the letter, with the suggestions included. I'm not sure what language to use to make it sound like we think it was intentional, rather than we KNOW it was intentional, so any suggestions on that would be appreciated:
To Mr. Edward Berberian, District Attorney of Marin County,
On February 26, 2005 Torrin Arnold, citizen of Marin County, and member of the cycling community, was the victim of a hit and run which left him permanently blind. He has been forced to drastically alter his lifestyle to accommodate his physical limitations. I am writing you on his behalf to help ensure that the perpetrator of this heinous act is prosecuted to the fullest extent that the law allows.
There are a great many cyclists who frequent the roads in and around Marin County who encounter drivers every day. A message must be sent to the public that drivers who hit and run will be punished. I am also a cyclist and need to feel safe on the roads of Marin County. I feel that all traffic violations involving an injury should be treated with the same level of consideration.
I am also a cyclist as well as a taxpayer and need to feel safe on the roads of Marin County that we all must share. I hope that the beauty of Marin will not be tarnished by this terrible incident.
Thank you for your consideration, and I appreciate your time.
royalflash
05-11-05, 01:48 PM
It still just sounds like you are describing an "accident" to me- this is no accident this is attempted murder and assault- the DA has lots of cases dont be afraid to describe again what happened- tell the story. Persuading people and winning arguments is about telling a better story than the other guy. The earlier E-mail describing the incident really was more descriptive.
"Torrin was riding along a busy street, a guy in a truck swerved past him, almost hitting him. Torrin at some point got past him again, and gave the guy the finger (which he shouldn't have done, and he admits that). The guy then blows by him again, hits him, and speeds off. Torrin of course fell off his bike, shattering his helmet and hitting the back of his head. If he hadn't been wearing the helmet, he'd be dead. Witnesses then chased down the driver and forced him to turn himself in."
**** to the beauty of Marin. Beautiful or not Torrin will never see it again.
Has anyone contacted the media- try and get them in on it.
Ultimately the only way to get any justice though will probably be via a civil suit.
jfmckenna
05-11-05, 01:49 PM
Good work guys. I am deeply disapointed by all this. One mans blindness and a slap across the face to all of us. Sickens me it does.
Hey I rode a century last year with a blind guy on a tandem. He was in the olympics too and is a nut about riding. Stay strong and don't give up, I know you won't.
Keep us posted...
OneTinSloth
05-11-05, 01:59 PM
here is a stronger version:
To Mr. Edward Berberian, District Attorney of Marin County,
On February 26, 2005 Torrin Arnold, citizen of Marin County, and member of the cycling community, was the victim of a hit and run which left him permanently blind. According to witnesses, the driver violently, and intentionally swerved into Torrin, causing him to fall off his bike, and hit his head. If he had not been wearing a helmet, he most likely would’ve died. He has been forced to drastically alter his lifestyle to accommodate his physical limitations. I am writing you on his behalf to help ensure that the perpetrator of this heinous act is prosecuted to the fullest extent that the law allows.
There are a great many cyclists who frequent the roads in and around Marin County who encounter drivers every day. A message must be sent to the public that drivers who hit and run will be punished. I am also a cyclist and need to feel safe on the roads of Marin County. I feel that all traffic violations involving an injury should be treated with the same level of consideration.
I am also a cyclist as well as a taxpayer and need to feel safe on the roads of Marin County that we all must share. I hope that the beauty of Marin, which, unfortunately, Mr. Arnold will never see again, will not be tarnished by this terrible incident.
Thank you for your consideration, and I appreciate your time.
oh, and to run with siu blue's idea about going to deliver the letters en masse, what if we all walked there and just before we knocked on the doors, we had everyone put on blindfolds? it would definitely be dramatic, no?
royalflash
05-11-05, 02:33 PM
thats a lot better- just a suggestion don´t use the term "hit and run" as this term is linked with accidents (which this is not) betterfor example, to talk about those people who use cars as weapons to injure and kill
phidauex
05-11-05, 05:38 PM
Yes, it should be very clear what happened here, no accident, but an assault! The man assaulted Torrin with a deadly weapon, and then fled the scene of the crime.
I'll probably compose my own letter along those lines (I usually prefer to say things in my own words, but I'll keep to the topic of your letter), and I'll post here what comes to my mind...
To Mr. Edward Berberian, District Attorney of Marin County,
On February 26, 2005 Torrin Arnold, a cyclist living in Marin County, was assaulted by a man in a pickup truck, and severely injured. After passing Torrin (who was riding a bicycle) on the road, and subsequently being passed by Torrin, he became enraged, and hit Torrin's bicycle with his truck. He then attempted to flee the scene, and was chased and caught by several witnesses who convinced him to turn himself in. Despite wearing a helmet, the injuries sustained in the assault have left Torrin permanently blinded. He must now change everything about his life, and give up cycling, which was his passion.
I'm writing this letter to urge you to prosecute the perpetrator as vigorously as the law allows. Road rage is a blight on the community, and violent crimes commited with a vehicle need to be treated not as automotive accidents, but as assaults with deadly weapons. Hitting a bicyclist with a truck is a willfull attempt to kill them, and is no different than a man using a gun to shoot someone on the street.
I hope that you can take this opportunity to show how Marin County feels about violent crime, and prosecute to the fullest extent of the law.
We will be following the outcome of this case, and others like it. Marin County is a frequent vacation destination for our family, but we will not be returning unless we can see that violent crime is taken seriously.
Thank you for your time,
Sam ***
Hope that makes a tiny piece of an impression... If I were in Cali right now, I'd hand deliver it.
EDIT: If anyone else wants to use my letter or portions of it, go right ahead!
peace,
sam
OneTinSloth
05-11-05, 05:55 PM
yes! thankyou! thats pretty much exactly what i was hoping for! thankyou so much! i would leave out the part about him possibly being charged with misdemeanor assault, as that is still up in the air...
can you even believe that this happened in february and the guy hasn't even been officially charged yet@!? that, to me is an outrage! the guy is still out there, still driving around, and still able to see while Torrin sits at home. it makes me sick.
i'll post later on tonight after i talk to Torrin about hand delivering the letters. that sounds like an excellent idea.
Lance_Work
05-11-05, 05:55 PM
I have absolutely no reservations about saying this. Regardless of what happens in criminal court, sue him in civil court for everything he has! Pocket lint and couch change included! He caused Torrin's physical condition, he should be held financially responsible for it!
phidauex
05-11-05, 06:00 PM
hMM, i suppose you are right about the 'misdemeanor assault' part, if it isn't final.. I edited to remove it, and I'll print out another copy (I haven't sent mine yet, of course, since its only been about 10 minutes since I posted that.) ;)
peace,
sam
Moonshot
05-11-05, 06:06 PM
You may want to elaborate on how extensively this incident has affected Torrin. Maybe a line or two like this:
Torrin will have to relearn how to do simple things that you and I take for granted such as cooking, cleaning and doing laundry.
slvoid
05-11-05, 07:07 PM
You might also want to put a little more emphasis on how this not only affects torrin but also everyone else, as hundreds of little children, adults, mothers, fathers, grand parents, get run over every day across the country by reckless drivers who basically have a license to kill and get away with it.
Try to make the case that it could happen to anyone, even his or her own family.