Advocacy & Safety - Las Vegas cyclist dead after hit and run

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news.php?id=news/2005/aug05/aug02news

First Edition Cycling News for August 2, 2005
Las Vegas cyclist dead after hit and run

Don Albietz, a Las Vegas police officer has died of his injuries after being hit by a truck on July 20, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Mr Albietz was hit from behind by a truck while riding though the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area on state Route 159.

Witnesses told the Nevada Highway Patrol that the driver briefly got out of the cab before driving away. Highway patrol troopers traced the truck to Michael Reich, 27, a self-employed trucker with a felony conviction and numerous traffic violations.

Mr Albietz was taken to University Medical Center where he was pronounced dead on Thursday, July 28. Mr Reich has been charged with felony hit and run and numerous misdemeanors and traffic violations, and will probably face additional charges as a results of Mr Albietz's death.

Witnesses told the Nevada Highway Patrol that the driver briefly got out of the cab before driving away.

Unbelievable. This guy should get life behind bars. He does not deserve a second chance. They need to send a strong message to other idiots would otherwise not think twice about running after hitting someone.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news.php?id=news/2005/aug05/aug02news

Mr Reich has been charged with felony hit and run and numerous misdemeanors and traffic violations, and will probably face additional charges as a results of Mr Albietz's death.

I won't hold my breath.

I won't hold my breath.
He killed a cop. I bet he gets the book thrown at him.
Look at the charges already.

Cop killer... at least this one won't get away.

I was just hit a few days ago from behind while riding. I was riding with a lady friend very late at night on the Oakland city streets to make sure she got home alright. Ironically I got hit, and the guy takes off. I consider myself very luck for walking away without a scratch. My back wheel was tacoed, that was it. I hope that guy dies in a tragic blimp acciedent or someother horrible, untimely death. He sucks. I'm very lucky.

If anyone cares, here's a few pictures of the sonuvabytch:

http://kvbc.images.worldnow.com/images/3655476_BG1.jpg

http://kvbc.images.worldnow.com/images/3655476_BG2.jpg

Notice the look on the officer next to him. If looks could kill.........


If anyone cares, here's a few pictures of the sonuvabytch:

http://kvbc.images.worldnow.com/images/3655476_BG1.jpg

He killed a cop. I bet he gets the book thrown at him.
Look at the charges already.

We had a police officer get run down from behind by a drunk, while riding his bike.
At first the police said it was just a, " Terrible accident." Now they are just going to charge him with drunk driving and maybe involuntary manslaughter. The one difference is that the guy who hit the cop did stop and try to help.

He killed a cop. I bet he gets the book thrown at him.
Look at the charges already.


Not to mention a record: "...a self-employed trucker with a felony conviction and numerous traffic violations."

This clown just violated the three strike rule big time... throw away the key. Too bad it had to take a death to get this kind of attention.

It's a shame that we consider the status of the victim in determining the liklihood of sufficient punishment for the perpetrator. Anyone who kills anyone and then runs off should be similarly punished and that punishment should be most severe.

I was just hit a few days ago from behind while riding. I was riding with a lady friend very late at night on the Oakland city streets to make sure she got home alright. Ironically I got hit, ...

Glad you're okay.

Just curious... did you have lights and/or reflectors?

I had blinking lights front and back. It was very late at night and we came to a red light. That late in oakland I make it a habit to not stop at the red lights but proceed with caution. This guy (after already being stopped at the light) runs the red after me and hits me in the back wheel. Was he drunk? Was he pissed? Did his girl just dump him for a cyclist? I'll never know he took off before either of us really knew what happened.

It's a shame that we consider the status of the victim in determining the likelihood of sufficient punishment for the perpetrator. Anyone who kills anyone and then runs off should be similarly punished and that punishment should be most severe.

I concur, but I am also pragmatic enough to know that tragic incidents such as these are our best shot at reform of the legal system. What should be considered heavily is the guy's driving record. The only way to keep this clown off the road is to lock him up; he obviously lacks the "judgment, brains, and maturity" needed for safe driving.

I would like to know more about Officer Albietz. I have evidently lost yet another "friend I never got to meet."

Should be greatful it never happened in britain. Here they just get a slaped wrist and told not to do it again. Even in extreme cases where jail time is served (usually only a few months) they end up claiming for loss of earnings :mad:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/395024.stm