Northern California - Traffic Fatality in Walnut Creek

http://www.caringbridge.org/cb/photos/corinnecrawford/large/614a859b1134b3220e55aad.JPG

I got this e-mail forwarded from someone at Cal Cycling where she was a member and a PhD student.
Her Personal Website (http://socrates.berkeley.edu/~csc/)

Corinne Crawford, of the UC Berkeley racing team, was killed
by a motorist in Walnut Creek on Sunday. There will be a memorial
ride in her honor on Saturday. Here are details (from Lauren
Tompkins)

Dear Friends and Family of Cal Cycling,

Corinne Crawford was taken off of life support this evening at 6pm

so that she could give the gift of life to those in need. We have

lost a true friend, a fierce teammate and a bright spirit today.

On Sunday, June 24th Corinne and Christian Claussen had gone out
to ride to the summit of Mt. Diablo. They conquered the 4000 ft
climb, took some photos and headed home. They stopped at a red
light at the intersection of Olympic and Newell Ave in Walnut
creek. They were in the cross walk, facing north. An elderly man

was driving eastbound on Olympic and was startled by something he

thought he saw out of the corner of his eye. He swerved and lost

control of the vehicle, striking Corinne and Christian. Christian

is ok; he has a concussion and deep abrasions. Corinne was taken

to the Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit at John Muir hospital in
Walnut Creek. Her father and sister spent her last days with her.


On Saturday, June 30th, we will do a ride in Corinne's honor. We

will meet at Sproul Plaza at 9:30am, team members will say a few
words and then we will leave at 10am. We plan to arrive at the
site of the accident at 12 and leave flowers and anything else you

would like to bring there. All are welcome to join us. It is an

approximately 20 mile ride to the intersection. Those not wishing

or unable to do the ride are welcome to join us at the
intersection at noon.

If you are unable to join us, you can leave your thoughts on her
CaringBridge website:
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/corinnecrawford

Corinne was a true renaissance woman. She was a dedicated and
caring teacher, had a singular gift for languages, and was a red-
belt in Hankido. She was also a gifted cook and knitter, as well
as a musician and she even dabbled in classical radio DJing. She

was a brilliant scholar, a tender friend and a feisty, unstoppable

spirit.

If you think it appropriate, please forward this message to members
of your team.

Yours,

Arthur Ogus, BBC,
faculty adviser to the Cal team

As anybody would be and more particularly because I'm a Cal alum, I'm terribly saddened by this tragedy. My deepest sympathies go out to her friends and loved ones. I hope Corinne's memory will ride on in all your hearts. I know I'll think of her every time I put on my Cal jersey.

This is very sad. I'll be wearing blue and gold the next time I ride too.

My kit is red and black, but my heart will wear blue and gold on my next ride. Heartfelt condolences and empathy to her family and friends, and to the UC-Berkeley community. Such a tragic loss. :(

Best wishes to Christian for a full recovery. Lotta BF love and support behind that. ((hugs))

I'm not a Cal alum, but I will be wearing blue and gold tomorrow on my ride in Corinne's memory and for Christian's recovery. It could have been any of us.

Very sad and tragic occurence. My condolences to her friends and family.

I heard about this from the AltoVelo list. What a sad and tragic event.

This is one of those senseless deaths that just leaves me numb.

Reading the replies from others at the CaringBridge site for Corinne, it appears she had a positive impact on many people.

The collegiate racers I've known have so much heart and camaraderie, and Corinne was a stellar example. What a tragic loss for everyone.

Wow, that is just too bad. My condolenses to her family and friends. The frequency at which this happens is way too high lately.

This touches my heart because this is in my neck of the woods. I grew up in the east bay and still practice there. I will wear blue and gold on my next ride. My sympathy goes out to her family and friends.

Count me in on the blue and gold for my next ride too. I might be able to make it to the meeting place at noon. I have a ride scheduled and maybe I can see if my buddies will be able to alter their plans.

Arghh! That sucks. She wasn't even rolling!

Very sad indeed. My prayers go to Corinne, her family and friends, to Christian, but also to the driver.

This isn't like he was speeding or doing something crazy, just swapping at probably a bug. Reminds me of the number of accidents due to a cell phone falling to the floor, a Mom turning her head to watch a kid in the back of the car. All these are freak accidents and yet they could be avoided by better driving training. All of us are to often forgetting that driving a car is not a right but a privilege that requires constant concentration. Our cars are deadly weapons is not operated in full awareness.

It is also time for authorities to make clear that pedestrian first and cyclists second should have absolute right of way on the road. Too many drivers think we, cyclists, are nuisance on the road and that cars have all rights there.

Thank you for sharing. Life is so precious.

BR

Holy smoke - that's about 3/4 mile from my house.

My deepest condolences go out to her family and friends. Some may not agree, but my thoughts also go out to that driver - he's probably devastated by what he's done.

Holy smoke - that's about 3/4 mile from my house.

My deepest condolences go out to her family and friends. Some may not agree, but my thoughts also go out to that driver - he's probably devastated by what he's done.

I'm sure he was. He may be senile though and not even remember it.

I sure hope my family confiscates my driver's license and sells my car before I get unsafe.

well, i hope those who received her gifts will live a long live and appreciate it.

that's the best way to honor her.

So sad, so tragic. Could have been any of us. Corinne I didn't know you but I feel the loss nonetheless.

-Rick

I read about this on Cal list. Very sad. Although I only rode with her on couple ocasions she left a long lasting impression. I will be going to the Saturday memorial ride.
I will refrain from making comments about the driver as not to side track this thread.

Received this from Cal Cycling today:


On June 24th Corinne Crawford, a UC Berkeley graduate student and Cal
Cyclist, was struck by a car at the intersection of Newell and Olympic
Blvd in Walnut Creek, Ca while waiting for a red light. We would like
to celebrate Corinne's amazing life by riding in her honor to the site
of the accident. Corinne truly loved cycling and we want everyone to
be able to experience the sport that she enjoyed so much.

The ride will start from Sproul Plaza on the UC Berkeley Campus. It
is
adjacent to the intersection of Bancroft and Telegraph Streets.
Parking
is available in University lots in the area, see www.berkeley.edu (http://www.berkeley.edu/) for
more information. Before the ride we will begin with some
remembrances. From Sproul Plaza we will proceed through Berkeley to
Old Tunnel Road, and cross over the hills and into Moraga, then
Lafayette, then Walnut Creek. The ride will be ~20 miles to the site.
There is an option of taking BART back to Berkeley. Members of Cal
Cycling will lead riders on two other route options, a direct ride
back
to Berkeley and a more circuitous route taking Reliez Valley Road to
return over Bear Creek Road and Wildcat Caynon.

We would like to stress that anyone with a bike can attend the ride.
The pace will be easy so that all can participate. Those who are
unable to ride can meet us at the site of the accident at noon for a
moment of silence.

In short.....


Corinne Crawford Memorial Ride

When: Saturday June 30th, 2007. 9:30 am
Where: Sproul Plaza, UC Berkeley Campus (Bancroft Way and Telegraph
Ave)
Route: Berkeley to Old Tunnel Rd, Skyline Blvd, Pinehurst Rd, Canyon
Rd, Moraga Rd, Mt. Diablo Blvd, Pleasant Valley Rd, Olympic Blvd
(route
subject to change)

Meet at Olympic and Newell at 12:00 to a moment of silence and
rembrances.

The return routes will return to Berkeley via Wildcat Canyon Road.
Also, there is a BART station in Lafayette for those wishing to take
BART back.

I, too, am deeply saddened to hear the news of Corinne's death. My Cal Cycling years were the best of my college days and I remember them very fondly. I'm so sorry such a tragedy has befallen the Cal Cycling Team. I wish all the best to Corinne's family, friends and the Cal Cycling community.
Go Bears!

I am so, so, sorry that yet another tragedy happened to someone who was simply enjoying life on a bicycle. My heart cries for her parents and her family members. What a tragic waste of yet another promising young life.

We've never met Corinne but three of us from Foo decided to show up for a fellow cyclist. We couldn't join the ride but we met at Oympic and Newell. It's amazing the amount of love we felt radiate throughout the group. I learned so much about Corinne through those that knew her and I honestly believe she was there with us. :o

I attended the ride. Even now thinking back brings tears to my eyes. :( She was a good person and a great teammate.

What I can say to you, UmneyDurak is to ride for her. Ride for her and for you. And every time you and your teammates get together, you have to give it all that you can. Because if you listen carefully, she is cheering you on. :)

My wife, Tricia, and I road from Atioch for the memorial.
I didn't know there were other BF members there, thogh my wife read this thread and said we rode with Siu Blue Wind through Walnut Creek as we left.

I made few photos and sent them to the East Bay Bicycle Collition for their web site, though I don't know if they'll use them.

http://curtis.corlew.com/hosting/crawford-memorial-1.jpg
http://curtis.corlew.com/hosting/crawford-memorial-2.jpg