Motorist arrested after allegedly hitting bicyclists on Neenah Bridge
Man dies in incident on Neenah bridge; 2 others injured
By J.E. Espino
Gannett Wisconsin Newspapers
NEENAH — A 47-year-old female driver was taken into custody Sunday afternoon after the car she was driving reportedly hit three bicyclists on the Wayne G. Bryan Bridge.
One of the three bicyclists, a 52-year-old Neenah man, died about four hours later at nearby Theda Clark Medical Center. One woman bicyclist was listed in serious condition, while a second woman was treated and released, according to a hospital spokesman.
The victims' names were not released.
The crash was reported about 2:40 p.m. near the north end of the bridge, which crosses the Fox River and is adjacent to Theda Clark. It is commonly referred to as the Oak Street bridge.
Police closed the bridge immediately after the crash, and said later that they expected it to remain closed until 10 p.m. or after the Wisconsin State Patrol concluded its reconstruction of the crash.
Neenah police Investigations Lt. Steve Larson said the bicyclists were riding north on the bridge when they were hit from behind by the car, which also was heading north.
"We do believe that alcohol was a factor in the accident. Beyond that everything is preliminary," Larson said.
One of the bicycles was thrown into the river during the crash. None of the bicyclists were thrown over the bridge.
Neenah police gave the driver a field sobriety test at the scene before placing her under arrest.
The BikeForums Team
-adv-
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Well, she needs to stay in jail until all of the cyclists are better.
wfin2004
Well, she needs to stay in jail until all of the cyclists are better.
This is a great concept that needs to be legislated. All drunks who cause injury to anyone, needs to sit in the slammer for a time "of reflection" for damages caused.
Mr. Underbridge
Well, she needs to stay in jail until all of the cyclists are better.
From the article: "Man dies in incident on Neenah bridge; 2 others injured "
Looks like that will be a while (ie, forever). And, in my opinion, that would make the sentence about right. I'm fine with life in jail for DUI-enabled vehicular homicide.
Like the guy who posted the article said - for God's sake - tanked by 3:00 in the afternoon!
xerocoma
From the article: "Man dies in incident on Neenah bridge; 2 others injured "
Looks like that will be a while (ie, forever). And, in my opinion, that would make the sentence about right. I'm fine with life in jail for DUI-enabled vehicular homicide.
Like the guy who posted the article said - for God's sake - tanked by 3:00 in the afternoon!
That shouldn't come as a surprise... the most dangerous time for me to ride is between 3 and 6 in the afternoon on the streets of my own neighborhood... it's amazing how many drivers, on their way home from work, pass by me while tipping a tall cold one... the convenience stores keep stacks of small paper bags next to the registers so people can slip a single beer into it for their drive home....
John E
MADD has made alot of progress against drunk driving, but it sounds as though we need another round of escalation of criminal and civil penalties to drive the message home again.
blwyn
She was released on $5,000 bail today! She has to appear again next week, bail may be increased at that time. All three bikers were up on the sidewalk when hit. She jumped the curb then hit them.
Bikepacker67
The M*TH&RFV<KEN CU%^'s name is "Sheila A. Burr" of Menasha.
Bikepacker67
Another article (http://www.thenorthwestern.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070702/OSH/307020053/1987&located=WISINFO):
The driver, Kuranda said, had difficulty standing on her own and officers on each side had to hold her up as they walked her to a squad car.
“She was all surprised,” he said. “At one point she said, ‘Did I do that?’ when they were hauling the victims away.”
Bikepacker67
She was released on $5,000 bail today! She has to appear again next week, bail may be increased at that time. All three bikers were up on the sidewalk when hit. She jumped the curb then hit them.
Ohh what a great Mom, and a pillar of society.... SEVEN FIFTEEN in the morning?!
The judge that reduced her bond needs to hear an earful.
I'm going to find out who he is, and post his email.
unfortunately, being drunk up here at 7:15 am is probably par for the course for most people
Bikepacker67
http://www.centralmediaserver.com/WFRV/burr.jpg
Cyclaholic
I wonder how many hundred dollars she'll be fined, and maybe if the judge gets really tough, how many weeks her license will be suspended. [/cynicism]
:rolleyes:
My condolences to the loved ones of the victims, including the poor kids that have this feeble excuse of a human being for a mother.:mad:
filtersweep
There are too many politicians who are drunks for the laws in the US to ever change. As much as I don't like not being able to have two beers after work, stories like this remind me that maybe it isn't so bad living in a virtual zero tolerance nation (the limit is .02 here--- and the fines are huge for being over the limit--- and being over the limit at .02 is still usually a long way from killing anyone).
mike
Ya, the woman driver and her husband are real charmers. Did you see the interview of her droopy-eyed stubble faced hang-over husband trying to explain his wife's actions, "Well, yahhhhh, she drank a lot. Everybody drinksss. But, anyway, she is real...... disappointed about what happened. She is a real fine woman with three kids....and she wasn't laughing at the scene like everybody said, because I asked her dat and she said she wasn't"
Sheila Burr, the killer, said "she did not see the bikers and only noticed that her windshield was broken". Imagine that. She started her day at 7:00 AM at a bar just before going to work - at another tavern called "The Commercial Break", where she continued to drink until her shift was over and she stayed there for a few drinks and finally went across the parking lot to the Eagles Club in Neenah, where she drank some more. FINALLY, at 3:00 in the afternoon, she figures she should go home and see where her three kids are, or was it two kids, or maybe four?? "Ahh JEeeeeesh who knows these days.... Hicc a burp.... Where are my bus tokens? What's this - Keys?! My lucky dayyyy shhhhblblblb. Now, I only have to find my car that fits these keysssss... Hiccaburp."
Now she is out on $5,000 bail. That might not seem like much to you and me, but the judge probably figures that $5,000 is a lot of beer and cigarette money to Mr. and Mrs. Burr. Not to worry, though, fellow citizens. She will not be allowed to drink or drive when she is out on bond because, well... because the judge said so, and she is obligated to obey... Hey, wasn't she obligated to obey the law and not drink and drive even before she killed the bicyclists? Oh well, never mind that detail.
Just remember that ANYBODY can get into a car and drive it no matter what condition they are in, whether they are drunk, or sleepy, or crazy or don't have a licence or don't have insurance. The ramifications are only AFTER something happens.
Here in the snowy midwest, bicyclists (and pedestrians, and other motorists) are more likely to be killed by a drunk driver than any other type of road accident.
dobber
I'm going to find out who he is, and post his email.
Better yet, attend college and secure a law degree. Work in the profession for a number of years and obtain an appointment to the bench. Dispense your own justice regardless of the laws currently on the books or the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Bikepacker67
Dispense your own justice regardless of the laws currently on the books
Well... gee... you really think the Judge had no lattitude in his decision?
If so, killing is cheap in Wisconsin
Ohh what a great Mom, and a pillar of society.... SEVEN FIFTEEN in the morning?!
The judge that reduced her bond needs to hear an earful.
Based on the lawyers I know, I'd say its even money if the judge wasn't drunk by 3 PM. Yikes.
blwyn
You can watch her laughing while taking the sobrity test here:
http://www.nbc26.com/news/local/8275242.html
Hit the video button.
Bikepacker67
You can watch her post her bond here (http://www.nbc26.com/news/local/8318462.html?video=YHI&t=a&randpre=7168821), and also listen to her idiot husband, Brian Burr (http://switchboard.intelius.com/results.php?ReportType=34), speak on how sad she is.
Maybe I'll give Bri a call.
tehdely
Wow, what a tragic "accident". When will the news media get a clue and call a homicide a homicide?
Thomasdregos
The fellow who killed my Uncle Steve already had his license revoked after several DUI's and did not have insurance. He had also just bought the truck, sans drivers license, he used to murder my uncle. :(
Redneckbmx99
yeahh i had some guy kill 2 over my relatives while he was drunk, and slung them 3 houses down. of course he was drunk. but he only got like 3 years in jail. and now police offficers in florida cant even give sobority tests. they just take them to jail anyways even if they suspect their drunk lol
mike
I guess that the killer drunk driver Sheila Burr was lying to her husband when she told him she wasn't laughing about it. You may recall her stubble faced hung-over husband telling reporters "As far as people sayin she wuz laughin' 'n stuff like dat, well dat ain't true because I asked her 'n she said she wuzn't".
As it turns out, the local news film crew was right at the scene when the cops busted her and she is on film LAUGHING. WEEEeeeee I am so dizzy! Giggle giggle. Did I do all dat, har har?!
Sheila Burr says that she didn't see the bicyclists, but thought something was funny when her window was broken. You can see from the video that her windshield has a huge hole in and she has glass from the windsheild in her arm. "Wassss da heckkk 'hic' is goin' on with da windshield der hey? I better haf a look see from da outside o' der car ya. 'hic. Aw damn it. It's annuder one o' dem pesky bicyclers on the grill o' my car. The hubby ain't gunna like dat no how. Dems hard to clean off da hood, I tell ya."
Watch Sheila giggle at the police with windsheild glass in her arm as she stumbles through a sobriety test:
http://www.nbc26.com/news/local/8275242.html?video=YHI&t=a&randpre=6936807
Bikepacker67
More info... (http://www.wbay.com/Global/story.asp?S=6744894&nav=51s7dmbI)
The owner of the bar where Sheila Burr was working the day Burr hit three bicyclists, killing Bob Melzer, says another bartender was urging Burr to get a ride home.
The owner of Commercial Break Bar says she is very good friends with Burr, and she plans to support Burr throughout the criminal case, but at the same time Jean Redlin acknowledges that Burr was drinking at Commercial Break the day of the crash while Burr was bartending.
Redlin says Burr was drinking so much between 8 A.M. and noon on Sunday that Burr's fellow bartender was worried. "He asked her if she had a ride home, and she said, 'Yeah, I'm going next door, my friend's over there and one of them will give me a ride home.' He asked right out."
It is the kind of concern Redlin says her bar has for everybody, customers or workers.
Even still, Redlin says she does not want her bartenders to get drunk. She forces them to sign a pledge. "On the statement that they signed they can drink the last two hours moderately and not become intoxicated."
Redlin says Burr signed that statement but declined to show it to us, citing liability worries.
She says the bar trusted Burr to follow the rules and take the necessary steps to stay safe.
"It's very hard on me because I have sympathy for the victim but yet I also love my dear friend and know, I wouldn't doubt, if she's very suicidal right now," Redlin said.
Burr is out of jail after her family paid a $5,000 bond. While out on bond she can't consume alcohol, enter any drinking establishment, or be around anyone consuming alcohol. She also is banned from driving.
I hope they sue the bar owner too.
mike
More info... (http://www.wbay.com/Global/story.asp?S=6744894&nav=51s7dmbI)
I hope they sue the bar owner too.
In Wisconsin, where this occurred, drinking establishments are legally responsible for customers who get drunk at their establishment and then drive home. The bars are supposed to refuse service to customers they deem as being drunk and call a cab or police for customers who seem drunk and attempt to drive home.
Of course, in this case, drink-crash-kill-giggle Sheila was both the bartender AND the drinker, so it is going to be a sticky one. The fact that the bar owner plans to "stand by their vehicular manslaughter friend" demonstrates the mentality of the people in Northeast Wisconsin. Drinking is such a way of life that killing a bicyclist is "just one of those things that happen, I guess". "ya know, if you are gonna be out der on a bicycle, ya gotta know dat der are people drinkin' too so ya gotta, ya know, accept some of da risk der too. Ya can't just blame folks who stop for a couple of drinks after work. Dey got a right to be on da road too, ya know."
Bikepacker67
Fluckin' Cheeseheads.
bike2math
In Wisconsin, where this occurred, drinking establishments are legally responsible for customers who get drunk at their establishment and then drive home. The bars are supposed to refuse service to customers they deem as being drunk and call a cab or police for customers who seem drunk and attempt to drive home.
Of course, in this case, drink-crash-kill-giggle Sheila was both the bartender AND the drinker, so it is going to be a sticky one. The fact that the bar owner plans to "stand by their vehicular manslaughter friend" demonstrates the mentality of the people in Northeast Wisconsin.
My (granted quite weak) understanding was that, pretty much in any state, bartenders are not allowed to drink while working. Sounds like this establishment needs to lose their liscence/pay a heafty fine, and the manager on duty at the time needs to be fired at the least.
Bikepacker67
OK, the "Judge" (he's actually listed in this story (http://www.gazetteextra.com/bicyclistsstruck070507.asp) as a Court Commissioner) who allowed this POS out on a mere 5 grand is :
Hon. Daniel Bissett
Firm: State of Wisconsin, Circuit Court, 4th Judicial Administrative District
Address: Winnebago County Courthouse
415 Jackson St. (Zip: 54901)
Post Office Box 2808
Oshkosh, WI 54903-2808
Phone: (920) 236-4955
Fax: (920) 424-7780
E-mail: Contact Us
Web site: http://www.courts.state.wi.us/circuit/
http://www.co.winnebago.wi.us/ (http://www.wicourts.gov/)
http://www.wicourts.gov/
http://www.co.winnebago.wi.us/countyclerk/ (http://www.co.winnebago.wi.us/countyclerk/)
littlewaywelt
The point of bail is merely to make sure the flight risk is reduced and that the individual shows up at trial. It's not to punish. Remember everyone including this person, is innocent until proven guilty. The primary factors for bail are flight risk and danger to community. Others include the type of crime and likelihood of repetition.
The judge obviously believed that the individual has enough ties that flight risk is non-existant, so 5k is fine.
Bikepacker67
The point of bail is merely to make sure the flight risk is reduced and that the individual shows up at trial. It's not to punish. Remember everyone including this person, is innocent until proven guilty. The factors for bail are flight risk and danger to community.
The judge obviously believed that the individual has enough ties that flight risk is non-existant, so 5k is fine.
Bulls.hit.
Bail also EQUALLY represents the severity of the crime.
If I get busted for a joint, my bail will be minimal REGARDLESS of my flight risk.
This action by the "Judge" is basically saying that killing a cyclist (while f'ckin WASTED) is no big deal.
littlewaywelt
Bulls.hit.
Bail also EQUALLY represents the severity of the crime.
If I get busted for a joint, my bail will be minimal REGARDLESS of my flight risk. I edited to add that, but it's not equal to the crime. It's purpose is to reduce flight.
Again, in this case 5k is fine.
Bikepacker67
No... In this case, 5k is NOT FINE.
It's a mere pittance. A fiscal technicality.
It is a bail more fitting for auto theft, not vehicular homicide (http://www.topix.net/forum/city/orondo-wa/T8MR3BVVA473BC6V0).
littlewaywelt
bail is not intended to be a fine or punishment in any way shape or form.
it's returned to the individual when he she shows up for the hearing or trial.
the judge who knows a lot more about this case than you likely do believes the individual will show up for trial. the da did not comment in any way that the amount of bail was not sufficient.
it's been a while since I've had crim, and since I worked in a state's attys office, but this does not seem out of the ordinary.
...and if for example this person rents a home, is on an hourly wage, etc. 5k would not be a pittance.
skanking biker
In Wisconsin, where this occurred, drinking establishments are legally responsible for customers who get drunk at their establishment and then drive home.
and where did you gather that piece of misinformation