Northern California - Martinez bicyclist killed in hit and run

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/11/24/BAT014BRHL.DTL&feed=rss.bayarea

No lights?

I used to ride all the time without lights, now It freaks me out if I get caught out in the dark.

Just rode through that area recently...pretty sparse and no light at all.

No lights on that road at five in the evening? Crap, I'd be terrified even if there weren't any cars around. :eek:

Please see the Advocacy and Safety (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=489388) forum as well for a discussion and news, if a memorial ride is scheduled. I will keep that thread up-to-date if there is a memorial for the victim.

Lights or no lights, the car crossed the yellow line. I hope they nail that scum-sucking cowardly low-life, and I hope he's haunted by the memory of what he's done. :notamused: I hate reading these reports -- they're so sad -- but the hit-and-run aspect angers me more than saddens me. There's no excuse for people not taking responsibility for what they've done.

That driver has his own hell in which to live...meanwhile, that cyclist had family and friends who now have to add "hold funeral and grieve" to their list of holiday activities.

Yeah, that is not a place I would ride at night, period. Regardless, he was killed by a hit and run driver. I hope they find the guy and run over his nuts.



Cyclist killed in Port Costa hit-and-run
By Roman Gokhman
Contra Costa TimesPosted: 11/24/2008 06:37:02 PM PST

PORT COSTA — A cyclist was killed in a hit-and-run collision on McEwen Road north of Highway 4 Monday evening, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The collision occurred sometime between 5 p.m. and 6:05 p.m., a half-mile north of the highway, CHP Officer Scott Yox said.

The victim, 49-year-old Mark Pendleton, of Martinez, was southbound on McEwen. Investigators said he appeared to be an "avid cyclist" based on his clothing and his upscale bicycle.

CHP investigators said Pendleton was riding his Shimano road bicycle close to the shoulder when another vehicle, which was probably northbound, crossed into the southbound lane and struck him. The vehicle then drove away southbound without stopping, according to the CHP.

The victim's body was found by an off-duty Crockett fire captain.

Police are searching for a dark-colored car, truck or sport utility vehicle with significant front-end damage. The CHP temporarily closed off McEwen in both directions north of the highway to investigate the collision.

"It left quite a bit of debris on the road, including a broken head lamp," Yox said.

Anyone who was in the area during that time or has seen the vehicle may call the CHP at 925-646-4980, or at 1-800-TELL-CHP.

Reach Roman Gokhman at 925-945-4780, or at rgokhman@bayareanewsgroup.com.

We took a family trip to SF on Saturday and I was amazed how many people were riding rental bikes in the Presidio after dark with no lights, nada. We went through there at 5:30 to cross the GGB and there were tons of tourists who were heading back in the pitch black night because they lost track of time at the GGB. I'm actually amazed there aren't more stories like this with the amount of crazy cycling and car driving I see. Let's be careful out there! :thumb:
P.S. I feel bad for this guy's family. Timing is about as bad as can be. :(

We took a family trip to SF on Saturday and I was amazed how many people were riding rental bikes in the Presidio after dark with no lights, nada. We went through there at 5:30 to cross the GGB and there were tons of tourists who were heading back in the pitch black night because they lost track of time at the GGB.:(

I saw those rental bikes too, when I was coming back from Pt. Reyes at 6 pm. I wondered why the rental place didn't supply lights. Aren't they liable for accidents?

Some were going OUT of SF at 6 pm.!

I saw those rental bikes too, when I was coming back from Pt. Reyes at 6 pm. I wondered why the rental place didn't supply lights. Aren't they liable for accidents?

Some were going OUT of SF at 6 pm.!

My guess is that the rental company, and some unfortunate rider, will find out the hard way. :(


As for riding on McEwen Road in the dark, not the best idea in the world. That isn't the steep part where they described, but the whole road is quite narrow. That does nothing in the slightest to excuse the hit-and-run jerk, though. I have a horrible, sinking feeling that alcohol is involved, and not by the cyclist.

There is a lesson in this for us all, unfortunately. And that is: we have to take all available reasonable precautions when we ride. Riding in the dark without lights (and, ideally, some reflectorized clothing) is just plain dangerous. Who knows if it would have made a difference in this case - but it might have, and we wouldn't have these "what if's" hangin over us.

And at the end of the day, catching the jerk driver and prosecuting him/her (I'm guessing it's a "him") to within an inch of his/her life will not make the cyclist any less dead. Yes, we have a right to the road, and we should not be bashful about asserting that right. But we have to smart and careful about it because 99 times out of 100 we are on the losing end of the transaction, regardless of how the law treats the driver.

I posted a street view on the A&S thread. If the police statement is correct (1/2 mile North of Highway 4) he was running out the very straightforward shallow descent to Franklin Road. It's still light at 5 PM, he was probably running late for his own comfort but I suspect he was almost done with his ride, perhaps late due to a mechanical/flat.

This is a real tragedy. Looks like he was 49 years old and a serious cyclist and racer: http://www.usacycling.org/results/index.php?compid=242689. I highly doubt someone of that age and caliber would be riding without lights. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and I hope justice is done to his killer.

Sounds crazy, but he could have had lights, and the driver disposed of them. Not the most plausible thing, but you never know.

There have been times around this time of year, where I'll go out around 3:30 in the afternoon. Before I know it, it's approaching 5:00 and maybe it's dark and guess what, crap!...I don't have my light w/ me. Yes, I know better...or dayum, I didn't think I would be out this late. It doesn't happen often. But it is what it is. And I am super careful on my way home.

But the fact of the matter is, some POS of an excuse for a human being took another life and ran away. Rather than stay and help the person, the driver fled. I can't tell you how angry I get when I read about hit and runs!

Please! Let's be careful out there.

BR

What a tragedy.........hope they catch the SOB. Also, my sympathies to the victim's family. I often ride on this very same road and it's narrow! Having second thoughts now.............

Sounds crazy, but he could have had lights, and the driver disposed of them. Not the most plausible thing, but you never know.


Not the most unplausible thing, either. I hope they catch the scumbag. I also hope there are actual laws that allow them to put him/her in prison for a good while, not just 30 days.

Sounds crazy, but he could have had lights, and the driver disposed of them. Not the most plausible thing, but you never know.Ugh, the same thought occurred to me this afternoon. I don't want to even think about the possibility, though. It's awful enough that the guy ran someone down and took off, but to actually stop, realize what you did, then alter the scene of the crime like that? Sick.

Very very sad :(

The worst thing about hit & run drivers is that they just leave the person there to die because they are too chicken sh*% to take responsibility for what they did. I'm sure that many have died not just because they were hit, but because the driver did not stop and immediately call paramedics and/or at least try to save the person they hit. Who knows how long he was lying there alive but dying before he was found. Every second counts in those situations.

Very very sad :(

The worst thing about hit & run drivers is that they just leave the person there to die because they are too chicken sh*% to take responsibility for what they did. I'm sure that many have died not just because they were hit, but because the driver did not stop and immediately call paramedics and/or at least try to save the person they hit. Who knows how long he was lying there alive but dying before he was found. Every second counts in those situations.

Like the girl who died up in the presidio...She would have lived for sure if the person had just called the EMT's
Freaking so selfish!

Sometimes, let's hope karma strikes back swiftly. This is such a tragedy.

The worst thing about hit & run drivers is that they just leave the person there to die because they are too chicken sh*% to take responsibility for what they did.

They leave them there because they think they won't get caught and they don't have the personal integrity to be responsible if they think they can get away with it. Unfortunately too many of them do get away with it.

Could be a lot of reasons getting caught would be worse for some people than others (citizenship status, insurance status, intoxication status, probation status etc).

Mark Pendleton, age 49, survived by his wife of 28 years and two adult sons. He sounds like a great guy.

LINK (http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_11073306?source=most_viewed)


.

Ernest Hemingway once wrote the perfect short story in just one sparse sentence.

"For sale, one pair of baby shoes, never used"

Sadly, very sadly, I am hearing in my mind a new version.

"For sale, one set road bike lights, never used"

I can't help thinking that if Mr. Pendleton had a set of lights he may have given the driver a split second to react. Even if the driver crossed the yellow he/she may have been able to correct in time thus missing the cyclist; had there been bike lights in use. That split second could have saved a life.

I always bring my lights on any ride where I plan to finish even near sunset. You never know when a mechanical or a flat will have you racing the waning twilight as you near home.

If you do not have one, please get a set of lights and use them.

Ernest Hemingway once wrote the perfect short story in just one sparse sentence.

"For sale, one pair of baby shoes, never used"

Sadly, very sadly, I am hearing in my mind a new version.

"For sale, one set road bike lights, never used"

I can't help thinking that if Mr. Pendleton had a set of lights he may have given the driver a split second to react. Even if the driver crossed the yellow he/she may have been able to correct in time thus missing the cyclist; had there been bike lights in use. That split second could have saved a life.

I always bring my lights on any ride where I plan to finish even near sunset. You never know when a mechanical or a flat will have you racing the waning twilight as you near home.

If you do not have one, please get a set of lights and use them.

Then again, the lights might have given the driver a better aiming point. Yes, I believe this is VERY likely in today's society.

I hate to speak ill of the dead, but I thought I should chime in here because this thread seems really one-sided.

I have seen, time and time again, people with Mark's description repeatedly ride in the dark, without proper safety equipment, and violate the rules of the road to their whim. I think Lanceoldstrong is absolutely correct in stating that had he used the proper equipment, he'd be alive. I don't think people go around running over cyclists equipped with lights as aiming points. If that were the case, we'd have an all-out war going on.

Get a clue, Marks of the world. Ride defensively. Stop being such *****-wipers and be afraid of your lives. It's dangerous out there. You have nothing to prove.

sheesh! :mad:

Politics aside, RIP. Memorial Ride Sunday @ 9am..Danville. I will be there, not sure if BART starts early enough though.

Mark Pendleton Memorial


http://www.ebbc.org/?q=node/2643

11:00 am Saturday at the Martinez Amtrak Station, which can be reached (about a 5-6 mile ride) from the Pleasant Hill, Concord, or North Concord BART stations. An advanced ride to the site of the hit-and-run crash on McEwen Road will follow.

...and don't wear light brown and dirty yellow when the annual grasses turn for the summer or red in low light conditions; choose sharp contrast with prevailing background.

Run your headlight at all times when there is traffic, unless y'a have to save battery for later on THAT day - same with tail light.

Don't argue with me; talk to your family and friends.

Someday this type of thing may be a rare happening, when roads are built "complete."

Mark Pendleton Memorial

http://www.ebbc.org/?q=node/2643

.

His Wife's words at the bottom brought tears to my eyes.

Here's my experience calling the California Highway Patrol tip line with information about this accident.

In these days since the Mark Pendleton hit-and-run tragedy, I have been watching for Chevrolet Silverado and 2500 Series pick-up trucks and SUVs that might be of interest in the investigation. On Thanksgiving Day, I spotted such a vehicle, with left front-end damage, including parts of its head lamp or turn signal missing and a dented front corner panel. In the darkness, it was impossible to determine if the damage was recent. The pick-up truck was occupied, with two passengers sitting in the front seat, at a San Francisco corner. San Francisco is 30 miles from Martinez.

I discretely circled the vehicle several times, memorizing the license plate number, doing my best to be inconspicuous. The vehicle was a Series 2500 Chevrolet pick-up, the model that was forerunner to the Silverado, and might likely share its chassis and trim. The license plates were dirty and difficult to read, which is said to be an indicator that somebody is hiding something. But then, the whole heap was a wreck. This pick-up truck needed that bumper stick, "If this was my horse, I'd shoot her."

I think the chances that my Chevy, more than 30 miles from the accident scene in a large city, is the Chevy that caused the accident, is a long shot. CHP is running a tip line, and they've surely checked leads much closer to Martinez and Port Costa.

To my surprise, the dispatcher on Thursday told me that the vehicle had been found, in Martinez. What great news, I told her. Do you still want the license number and description of the vehicle I saw in San Francisco? She didn't even take my name. I'm sure, with caller ID on my telephone, she knew that she could get back in touch with me later, but in any case, she didn't even take basic police report data from me.

I thought about logging on here at bikeforums.net to announce my news scoop, that the Martinez vehicle had been found. But I realized that this would be a bad decision. What if the dispatcher was passing along to me department gossip or rumors, not yet true, or information about an investigation in progress, but not completed? Most of all, I realized that funeral and memorial rides had not yet taken place, and that the Pendleton family might not be informed. I felt that if the vehicle or driver was known, despite the fact that a dispatcher had told me what might be private information, it was better that Mark Pendleton's family be told about any news through proper channels.

I watched the news closely, hoping to read about the discovery of the vehicle and apprehension of the driver. I hoped for this to occur by Saturday, when the Pendletons would be saying goodbye forever at a funeral, when riders from all over the Bay Area would be there to memorialize Mark.

But nothing had happened by Saturday. No vehicle identification had been announced. Finally, I called back CHP, where I got what seemed to be the same phone dispatcher. I explained the circumstances again, and this time she did take the license number of the Chevy truck I saw.

"Why do you think this truck was involved in the accident?" she asked me. I explained that I have no reason to suspect anything, other than that I had observed a truck of a similar model with the requisite front end damage and missing pieces of its headlight and turn signal systems. The one piece of information I didn't give the dispatcher was the ethnic identity of the two drivers in the pick-up truck's cab. She didn't ask me about them. They can ask me that later, if there is any reason to.

Why didn't the dispatcher take this information in the first place? I doubt it will have any bearing on the case. I am struck by the scarcity of Chevrolet pick-up trucks on San Francisco's streets, especially compared to Ford and Toyota trucks. The Bay Area does not love General Motors. Nevertheless, even in a mega-city the size of the Bay Area, there can be only a few hundred Chevy pickups and SUVs running around with missing parts from their left front turn signal assemblies. Each one outside the core area (Martinez) that can be examined is worth the trouble.

Howard

Good observation on your part. Every reliable lead should be checked in to.

..... The Bay Area does not love General Motors. Nevertheless, even in a mega-city the size of the Bay Area, there can be only a few hundred Chevy pickups and SUVs running around with missing parts from their left front turn signal assemblies. Each one outside the core area (Martinez) that can be examined is worth the trouble.



Don't know about "the city", but I can't swing a cat around here without hitting a Chevy Tahoe or pickup. They're everywhere.

Its gotta be someone who has business or something in Crockett. Theres no other reason to be driving out on that road...

Its gotta be someone who has business or something in Crockett. Theres no other reason to be driving out on that road...

Target practice, apparently.

Google Street View captured a cyclist at almost the exact spot riding in the same direction (toward Hwy 4)

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hSZo5vjiPmQ/STR7GjCq0VI/AAAAAAAAEqU/LlMWJnjJ9x4/s800/McEwen%20Cyclist.JPG

Reward is up to $10k now, that should make things interesting.

Update:

They got the bass tard.

Details!??!!??

Details!??!!??

Sketchy at the moment - but cops got a tip.

Some guy in his 50's, vehicle matched the bits left at the scene, evaded detection by doing his own repair.

Still looking for a news story about it.

Accidents happen, but this is murder.

I've been a Google maniac since I read you post. I've got nothing.
I did see stories about the vandalism of his monument, which I didn't know about.

Damn. I didn't know him, but I ride that road. I hurt for his friends and family.

Wow, I'm glad that even though it's been 6 months that this didn't just get forgotten about. Next maybe they'll find the driver of the silver bmw 7-series from that other hit and run.

Haven't seen anything yet either. Our club just had a ride past the memorial site yesterday and we were saddened to still see the reward offer with no news of any progress.

Hope they have some good evidence.

I hope there's enough evidence to let the system do what it's supposed to do!

JB

Good catch Scott. It's encouraging that this somewhat cold case might get wrapped up - I always imagine that after the small burst of publicity that always accompanies these events these cases get "filed".

...and don't wear light brown and dirty yellow when the annual grasses turn for the summer or red in low light conditions; choose sharp contrast with prevailing background.

I have to say, this is a reason why I shy away from the many dark coloured/black jerseys that are out there - I like to have some bright colour to alert motorists when riding through the many shaded/tree lined roads we have here, even on a bright sunny day. Also part of the reason I have a white helmet.

No no no no no. NO NO NO
We can't blame jersey color for he death of this man. It was a frickin hit and run.
No excuse.
NO

That was absolutely NOT my intent; but this probably isn't the best thread to have that discussion in - mea culpa.

We all want to remind each other to ride safely.

But this was a case of the murderer crossing in to the wrong lane to hit the victim head on and then leaving the scene.

CHP investigators said Pendleton was riding his Shimano road bicycle close to the shoulder when another vehicle, which was probably northbound, crossed into the southbound lane and struck him.

We all want to remind each other to ride safely.

But this was a case of the murderer crossing in to the wrong lane to hit the victim head on and then leaving the scene.

CHP investigators said Pendleton was riding his Shimano road bicycle close to the shoulder when another vehicle, which was probably northbound, crossed into the southbound lane and struck him.

Dang, I didn't know about that bit. Hang him.

It was a frickin' hit and run.

Agreed.

Condolences to friends and family.


For those of us that remain, continuing LO's thoughts regarding lighting, consider visibility in general as per above.

I don't read any post in this thread suggesting otherwise.

Still looking for a news story about it.

I found this (http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/06/05/chp-makes-arrest-in-hit-and-run-killing-of-bicyclist/).

I found this (http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/06/05/chp-makes-arrest-in-hit-and-run-killing-of-bicyclist/).

Just noticed, this story is from Nov 25th. Kept wondering why folks were taking about it being dark a 5PM.