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http://www.ksdk.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=102804
Family, Friends Say Sentence Of Driver Who Hit Cyclist Isn't Enough
created: 8/30/2006 8:25:54 PM
updated: 8/31/2006 8:34:00 AM
Click to watch Ann Rubin's report.
By Ann Rubin
(KSDK) - One year after a cyclist was struck and killed by a pickup, the driver of that truck faced his punishment.
St. Louis County Prosecutor Bob McCullouch didn't file criminal charges, so the matter was handled in a Creve Coeur court.
Robert Rush faced several ordinance violations. Those who knew cyclist Michael Katz say that wasn't enough.
Outside the court, family, friends and fellow cyclists showed up in matching shirts reading "I am Michael Katz." The shirts are a way of saying that what happened to Katz could have happened to any one of them.
"We think about Mike every time we get on our bikes. We think about the safety of the drivers that are coming up behind us," says friend Judy Meyer.
It happened on July 25th of last year. Katz was on his bike near Olive and Lindbergh when he was struck and killed by a pickup truck.
Rush never faced any felonies charges for what happened. He pleaded guilty on Wednesday to several ordinance violations, including failure to keep a proper lookout and driving on a suspended license.
The St. Louis Regional Bicycle Federation plans to write a letter to McCullouch to ask him to reconsider criminal charges.
"We think this makes a case for negligent homicide and we're disappointed with Bob McCulloch's office that they won't prosecute it," says chairman Russ Willis.
The group was also disappointed with the sentence.
Rush is getting what's called "shock probation." He'll serve five weekends in jail to see what it's like. If he violates the terms of his parole, he'll have to serve a full year.
"I don't think the sentence was stiff enough. I think he should have been charged with more," says Meyer.
For Katz's wife, this isn't about crime or punishment; it's about change. She hopes people will remember her husband the next time they see cyclists on the road.
"We need to be sure people who are driving these two-ton vehicles, drive them carefully. (That includes) not using their cell phones (and) paying attention so you aren't interviewing another widow another time," says Susan Katz.
A representative from the St. Louis County Prosecutor's office says usually, it is unlikely a case would be revisited after it was already processed through the system.
KSDK
Family, Friends Say Sentence Of Driver Who Hit Cyclist Isn't Enough
created: 8/30/2006 8:25:54 PM
updated: 8/31/2006 8:34:00 AM
Click to watch Ann Rubin's report.
By Ann Rubin
(KSDK) - One year after a cyclist was struck and killed by a pickup, the driver of that truck faced his punishment.
St. Louis County Prosecutor Bob McCullouch didn't file criminal charges, so the matter was handled in a Creve Coeur court.
Robert Rush faced several ordinance violations. Those who knew cyclist Michael Katz say that wasn't enough.
Outside the court, family, friends and fellow cyclists showed up in matching shirts reading "I am Michael Katz." The shirts are a way of saying that what happened to Katz could have happened to any one of them.
"We think about Mike every time we get on our bikes. We think about the safety of the drivers that are coming up behind us," says friend Judy Meyer.
It happened on July 25th of last year. Katz was on his bike near Olive and Lindbergh when he was struck and killed by a pickup truck.
Rush never faced any felonies charges for what happened. He pleaded guilty on Wednesday to several ordinance violations, including failure to keep a proper lookout and driving on a suspended license.
The St. Louis Regional Bicycle Federation plans to write a letter to McCullouch to ask him to reconsider criminal charges.
"We think this makes a case for negligent homicide and we're disappointed with Bob McCulloch's office that they won't prosecute it," says chairman Russ Willis.
The group was also disappointed with the sentence.
Rush is getting what's called "shock probation." He'll serve five weekends in jail to see what it's like. If he violates the terms of his parole, he'll have to serve a full year.
"I don't think the sentence was stiff enough. I think he should have been charged with more," says Meyer.
For Katz's wife, this isn't about crime or punishment; it's about change. She hopes people will remember her husband the next time they see cyclists on the road.
"We need to be sure people who are driving these two-ton vehicles, drive them carefully. (That includes) not using their cell phones (and) paying attention so you aren't interviewing another widow another time," says Susan Katz.
A representative from the St. Louis County Prosecutor's office says usually, it is unlikely a case would be revisited after it was already processed through the system.
KSDK