Road Bike Racing - SC racer killed on training ride

Source
Velonews (http://www.velonews.com/news/fea/5694.0.html):

Garrett Wonders, a member of the Hincapie Sportswear-Bianchi cycling team, died on Wednesday after being struck by a pickup truck while training in South Carolina.

"This is a terrible tragedy that can remind us all of the inherent danger of the sport we love," said Hincapie Sportswear's Steve Baker in a posting to the Internet newsgroup rec.bicycles.racing. "My sincere condolences go out to Garrett's family and friends in this very difficult time."

According to the Charleston Post and Courier website, Wonders, 25, was on a solo training ride on State Road 791 south of Moncks Corner when he was sideswiped by a northbound 1995 Ford pickup driven by Theodore Borck, 50, of Moncks Corner.

Wonders was thrown from the bike and landed in a ditch. He was transported via helicopter to the Medical University of South Carolina, where he was pronounced dead, according to Berkeley County Coroner Glenn Rhoad.

No charges have been filed against Borck, according to the newspaper.

Wonders was an instructor at the Naval Nuclear Power Training Command school at the Naval Weapons Station in Goose Creek. He is survived by his wife, Terri, a student teacher.

No charges have been filed against Borck, according to the newspaper.


that's terrible. the accident, and the fact no charges have been filed.

No charges have been filed against Borck, according to the newspaper.


that's terrible. the accident, and the fact no charges have been filed.

It is odd that no charges were filed given that the cyclist was struck from behind. I guess is could have been the cyclist's fault. There's just not enough information to tell.

I don't see where the article indicates which direction (north or south) Wonders was traveling. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

If he was going South and crossed the centerline and the pickup going North struck him, Of course, no charges should be filed against the pickup driver.

It's very tempting for a cyclist to cross the center line on a hairpin turn. I've done it before and shouldn't.

I read that a car attempted to pass another car but was forced to move back into his own lane when he saw another vehicle approaching from the other direction. When he moved back into his lane he moved too far over and hit the rider.

my condolence to the family and friends of the cyclist hit. reading anything related to a cyclist vers motor vehicul is really hard for me because i should be one of those statistics, but for some reason God granted me more time on this earth and i walked away from it. (Thank you Lord.) my feelings go out to the family.


I read that a car attempted to pass another car but was forced to move back into his own lane when he saw another vehicle approaching from the other direction. When he moved back into his lane he moved too far over and hit the rider.

if that's true then the driver should be charged w/ an unsafe lane change and/or negligence.

if the rider was hit from behind then the driver should be charged w/.... something. in california if your hit from behind it's automatically the one that rear ended the car in fronts fault. (or bike in this case.)

but by not knowing anything on the accident it's very hard to make a judgement call on it. all i do know is it's very hard for a 150 lb or so human to go toe to toe w/ a 1/2 ton metal beast and live to tell about it. in my case, i had three angels watching over me. truck didn't have a chanse!

my heart goes out to the family
kat

This is from a friend at Columbus (GA) Cycling Club:

Resolution for "Wonders Way" Bicycle/Pedestrian lane of new Arthur Ravenal, Jr. Bridge

Introduced: May 26, 2004

Adopted by the South Carolina General Assembly on June 1, 2004



That the members of the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, request that the Department of Transportation name the bicycle/pedestrian lane of the new Arthur Ravenel, Jr. Bridge the Garrett P. Wonders Memorial Bicycle/Pedestrian Lane, ‘Wonders- Way’, in memory of Garrett Patrick Wonders of Goose Creek, and request that appropriate signs or markers be posted so that as the public passes they will remember the passionate and gifted cyclist, naval officer, and community leader. Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Terri Elliott Wonders of Goose Creek.



WONDERS Lt. JG Garrett P. Wonders, 25, Goose Creek, South Carolina, died March 10, 2004 as a result of injuries sustained after being struck by a pick-up truck while he was bicycling. Garrett was born on October 24, 1978 in Warren, Ohio. He was the son of John and Shelley Wonders. Garrett was a 1997 graduate of Warren G. Harding High School, where he was captain of the swim team, captain of the cross-country team, played multiple instruments in the band, and was the Raider mascot for four years. He also represented Harding at Boys State and was an Academic All-American in swimming. He graduated magma *** laude from The Ohio State University, May 2000, with a Bachelors of Science in Engineering Physics. In May 2001, Garrett graduated with a Masters in Nuclear Engineering from The Ohio State University. A notable reason this was passed so quickly was the 7 inch thick, 4000 signature petition that was hand delivered to the State Capital by Ben Abney of Charleston SC, as well as the strong, closely knit cycling community that rallied behind Terri Wonders' cries for justice; and the legacy of Garrett himself. The speed at which this passed is proof that someone is looking out for South Carolina cyclists. We all imagine a better day when human powered vehicles are respected on the roadways.