Southeast - Cyclist Killed In Cherokee County

Does someone have more information on this. Local newspaper report says that the bicycle pulled into the path of the SUV, but then goes on to say that he was wearing dark clothing and the motorist had a hard time seeing because of heavy rain......I don't think this report is the entire story. Tragic, none the less.

http://www.wyff4.com/news/14864834/detail.html

I always hate seeing these stories.

"Sarratt’s death is the fifteenth this year in Cherokee County."

Fifteenth cyclist to die in Cherokee County? Fifteen person to die in Cherokee County? Something is amiss there.

I always hate seeing these stories.

"Sarratt’s death is the fifteenth this year in Cherokee County."

Fifteenth cyclist to die in Cherokee County? Fifteen person to die in Cherokee County? Something is amiss there.

I think the 15th total....The news article has now been updated to say that the accident happened at 9pm. At that hour in a downpour in dark clothing, I believe it has to be operator error on the cyclists part.

First, condolences to the victim's family and friends. Second, this isn't intended to be a flame, but an attempt to point out an obvious bias.

The quote about dark clothing was made by the coroner. He is someone who neither was there, nor investigates the circumstances surrounding the death which is a police function. I would take that statement with a grain of salt. However even if the fact is true, assume the accident involved two vehicles, one dark in color. Would you be so quick to sieze upon that one fact and assume blame? So many times when a bicycle is struck by a vehicle people are quick to examine the circumstances of the cyclist while giving the circumstances of the motor vehicle a pass. Why? For all we know, the cyclist was wearing reflective gear, had lights, was riding in his lane (to which he has as much right as a motor vehicle), and obeying the law....yet he is dead. Why would we be so quick to accept the version of the story from the only witness (more likely than not it will be biased and self serving account) and place other biases on top of that assuming the cyclist was somehow at fault?

I ride at night several times a week, bike commute sometimes in the morning at dark, and often do early morning (prior to dawn) training rides. I use lights, have reflective gear, keep in my lane and ride defensively as much as possible. Gee, if someone hits me I wonder if they will say 'he came out of nowhere', or 'why was he out here in the dark', or 'it was just an accident', or 'he was wearing dark clothing', or 'I just didn't see him'. I'll promise if it ever happens it will be the motor vehicle driver's fault and inattention, not my presence, that causes the accident. I can't recount the hundreds of times over the last year that a vehicle has nearly caused a collision yet I can say that every time I've confronted some clueless driver he has had a lame excuse and attempted to transfer blame.

My real point is that cyclists aren't automatically at fault cause they are there. Rain, snow whatever the weather, the cyclist has as much right to the road as anyone else. We should at least respect that and reserve judgement until an unbiased report of the facts is presented.

http://www.gaffneyledger.com/news/2007/1217/front_page/001.html

Sarratt was not wearing a helmet and was riding in the middle of the road in heavy rain when the accident occurred, Robinson said.

.....further....

Sarratt is the 15th traffic fatality in Cherokee County this year and the second in less than 48 hours.

Michael James Martin, 41, of Grover died Friday morning shortly before 1 a.m. near Blacksburg when his truck overturned while Martin attempted to elude police during a high-speed chase, police said Friday.

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Appears they are counting all deaths on Cherokee County roads regardless of type of vehicle. Still sad to hear.

It's absolutely terrible that he was killed by a car, but he wasn't a cyclist. He was a guy on a bike.

That's the problem with the media and the population at large. They seem to think that what we do is the same as some guy riding a bike on a beer run.