Advocacy & Safety - "teach them a lesson"

A Brentwood physician who allegedly injured two cyclists last summer by slamming on his car brake (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/01/a-brentwood-phy.html)s in front of them on Mandeville Canyon Road pleaded not guilty today.

A repeat offender, folks.

"Thompson, 59, allegedly told police during the July 4 incident that he stopped his red Infinity sedan in front of the cyclists to “teach them a lesson.”

Hope he gets extra time for being a moron too.

An excerpt from the first comment below the article: "My sympathies are with the doctor..."

What the f***?

Slamming your brakes and injuring another person isnt teaching them a lesson. Thats Assault with a deadly weapon.

Teaching them a lesson is sneaking up behind the ******* with a little bell who almost ran you off the road 5 minutes earlier and hitting your air horn.

It would be an honor to shoot ignorant people like this.

Welcome to Los Angeles...*sigh*

It would be an honor to shoot ignorant people like this.

Just Once?

What happened to "do no harm"?????? This idiot deserves not only a jail term but to lose his medical license forever. This guy's a felon, plain and simple.

Let's get 'im.

It would be an honor to shoot ignorant people like this.

No, no, no.

Death by:

a) Belt sander

b) Soldering iron

c) Flaying

his choice

What happened to "do no harm"?????? This idiot deserves not only a jail term but to lose his medical license forever. This guy's a felon, plain and simple.

I was about to say...I thought this was against the Hippocratic Oath

I was about to say...I thought this was against the Hippocratic Oath

only during billable hours

**** I remember when this happened, glad to see it's getting some publicity, welcome to my local roads :/

It would be an honor to shoot ignorant people like this.


Just Once?

Sure, out of a cannon, 20 feet in front of a brick wall. With spikes on it.


No, no, no.

Death by:

a) Belt sander

b) Soldering iron

c) Flaying

his choice

Where's the "d) All of the above" option?

http://www.tarantino.info/wiki/images/Marsellus_wallace-bandaid.gif

I'll enjoy the comfort of my trainer more now, I think.

There was an old lady in my county that ran over 3 riders, a few years ago, and then backed up and ran them over again. She said she wanted to teach them a lesson too.

When drivers are bitter they're fat they take it out on cyclists...I mean when cyclists are bitter they're fat all they do is buy Ergo 2s and Cervelos, phsss and we're the ones being vilified.

Let's get 'im.

+1...street justice.

No, no, no.

Death by:

a) Belt sander

b) Soldering iron

c) Flaying

his choice

Nope, all three, no choice :D

"Thompson, 59, allegedly told police during the July 4 incident that he stopped his red Infinity sedan in front of the cyclists to “teach them a lesson.”


I believe it was also reported that he didn't offer any medical assistance to the injured riders.

Somebody should teach him a lesson in "pound you in the ass" federal prison.

I have an uncle whom I love very much even tho he calls me a two wheeled organ donar who thinks I should ride my bike on the sidewalk. Amazes me how many people believe cyclist have no rights not just to the road but life.

We need billboards all over the country that say:

HIT A CYCLIST, GO TO JAIL.

I used to ride Mandeville once or twice a week. When this happened it was the straw that broke the camel's back. Far too many people I know or have ridden with up that road have had altercations with motorists who don't understand that they don't need to do 50MPH on a curvy residential road with absolutely no shoulder and littered with blind driveways.

Damn shame, cuz it is a great road and a great moderate 5 mile climb...

No, no, no.

Death by:

a) Belt sander

b) Soldering iron

c) Flaying

his choice
If I had to chose, it would be belt sander, closest to road rash those two guys got. But all of the above would be the appropriate option.

This is older news but it's awesome that it's getting more publicity.

I've been up Mandeville Canyon plenty of times and it's probably one of my favorite areas to go up riding. Correct me if I'm wrong this guy is out on bail, my guess back in his house on that road. Scares the crap out of me when I go up there wondering if I'm going to be this guy's next victim.

The scarier part is I almost went on that ride. July 4th holiday ride. I probably wouldn't have seen anything though. Those two guys would have dropped me in a heart beat. As for those in the area, does anyone know when the next court date is supposed to be held? I'll definitely try and make it.

the scarry thing is all the moronic replys that agree with the ass hat dr. there are some frightening people out there. its funny they call us pretentious because we wear spandex. and then they go put on their eyesore golf attire. wtf!!! we are arrogant because we excersize our right to ride our bikes on their streets. man talk about self inflating ego's!

Scares the crap out of me when I go up there wondering if I'm going to be this guy's next victim.

You should go re-read the initial news reports. The cyclists involved in this incident weren't entirely without blame as I recall. They definitely got the short end of the stick, but if they'd been only a little smarter they might not have had a problem...

I used to work with the guy who had his face torn apart. Saw him at Interbike and he looked great! Thank God. It makes me sick to think that there are people that hate cyclists so much and that are so ignorant and angry that they could do this.

We should riot in the streets, but alas, what will that solve?

You should go re-read the initial news reports. The cyclists involved in this incident weren't entirely without blame as I recall. They definitely got the short end of the stick, but if they'd been only a little smarter they might not have had a problem...
Without a doubt...but that doesn't justify what the Doctor did. And this isn't his first time doing it. What's keeping him from doing it again?

Without a doubt...but that doesn't justify what the Doctor did. And this isn't his first time doing it. What's keeping him from doing it again?

Wasn't trying to suggest that the doctor's, or the cyclists', actions were justified. And there's nothing to keep him, or someone just like him, from doing it again. Which is all the more reason not to act like a jerk when you're on a bike...

It would be an honor to shoot ignorant people like this.

I say we just cut off his penis. that might be worse than death.

I say we just cut off his penis. that might be worse than death.

That depends on if he's secretly always wanted to be a woman or not. If so you're just doing him a favor.

I've been up Mandeville Canyon plenty of times and it's probably one of my favorite areas to go up riding. Correct me if I'm wrong this guy is out on bail, my guess back in his house on that road. Scares the crap out of me when I go up there wondering if I'm going to be this guy's next victim.

He'd better enjoy it while he has it. I would expect that the injured cyclists will bring a civil suit, and insurance typically does not cover intentional conduct.

Interesting, my comment (made at 6:30 last night) was not posted. All it did was respond to a few specific comments politely explaining the fact and then added a personal opinion of my own. I wonder what they feel is worth posting and what is worth censoring out for their own purposes.

Interesting, my comment (made at 6:30 last night) was not posted. All it did was respond to a few specific comments politely explaining the fact and then added a personal opinion of my own. I wonder what they feel is worth posting and what is worth censoring out for their own purposes.
considering what does get posted, I would say it's a problem with forum software

"Thompson and his attorney are expected to move to dismiss the case next month..."

Let's hope it does not get dismissed...

The people in this thread suggesting bodily harm or prison **** for the Dr. are no better than him, in thought if not in actual deed.

An excerpt from the first comment below the article: "My sympathies are with the doctor..."

What the f***?

You mean what "James Sullivan" said. I think his comments should be repeated with his name.



My sympathies are with the doctor. Far too often I see pretentious idiots wearing tights who think they are Lance Armstrong riding bicycles recklessly. This incident is an excellent example. How fast does a bicyclist have to be moving to generate enough force to ram their head through the rear windshield of a car.?



I wonder if his attitude would be different if those weren't roadies but utility cyclists in civilian clothes. Would they be able to express the same inhuman disinterest in their well being if they appeared more like regular joes just trying to get somewhere? I'm confident that it's the bike that offends them and not the lycra but I think the lycra is necessary to say something without sounding inhuman.

Maybe we should run over his entire family!!! Make him watch!!!Just to teach him a lesson!!

No, no, no.

Death by:

a) Belt sander

b) Soldering iron

c) Flaying

his choice

d) Mambo!

That depends on if he's secretly always wanted to be a woman or not. If so you're just doing him a favor.

As a doctor he could figure out a way to sew it back on, or replace it. Not much of a punishment.

"Thompson and his attorney are expected to move to dismiss the case next month..."
Let's hope it does not get dismissed...
It won't be because of what he himself said. His words indicate that he had intent to cause harm, therefore there is pretty solid legal ground for prosecution/remedy on the basis of assault and battery.

What scares me is, the car guy could have just said nothing, and the cyclists could potentially have ended up in trouble for hitting him. I'm not sure, but usually the person who rear-ends the other vehicle is considered to be at fault? That would've been a terrible legal nightmare for those guys.

It won't be because of what he himself said. His words indicate that he had intent to cause harm, therefore there is pretty solid legal ground for prosecution/remedy on the basis of assault and battery.

What scares me is, the car guy could have just said nothing, and the cyclists could potentially have ended up in trouble for hitting him. I'm not sure, but usually the person who rear-ends the other vehicle is considered to be at fault? That would've been a terrible legal nightmare for those guys.The motorist statement and that this was a repeat offense, is what got him charged. Everyone please note that nothing happened the first time the motorist pulled this stunt.

"Thompson, 59, allegedly told police during the July 4 incident that he stopped his red Infinity sedan in front of the cyclists to “teach them a lesson.”

Hope he gets extra time for being a moron too.Well I dunno many people here use that logic of "do something stupid to teach someone a lesson".

People are people, and they're quite stupid.

You should go re-read the initial news reports. The cyclists involved in this incident weren't entirely without blame as I recall. They definitely got the short end of the stick, but if they'd been only a little smarter they might not have had a problem...
Peterson testified Thursday that he and Stoehr were riding side by side toward Sunset Boulevard about 30 mph. After a car honked behind them, Peterson said, he pulled in front of Stoehr. The car passed them, missing his handlebars by less than a foot, he said.

Peterson said Thompson yelled for the pair to "ride single-file." Peterson said he screamed an expletive at Thompson, who then swerved in front of the cyclists and "slammed on the brakes" to a complete stop.What a load of BS that you want to put part of the blame on the cyclist; just because one of them said a swear word at an ignorant motorist who intentionally buzzed them and yelled at them to "ride single file". By the way, it was legal for the cyclist to ride double on the road.

I suppose if someone pointed a gun at your face and started yelling at you, if you said "hell" causing the guy to shoot you in the face, YOU would accept blame for being shot in the face? After all, YOU were not "entirely without blame"!

sstorkel,

What did these cyclist initially do to deserve the same treatment by the doctor?


Patrick Watson testified that he and a friend were cycling down Mandeville Canyon Road in March when they heard a fast-approaching car behind them. Watson said he moved in front of his friend to get out of the way.

"The car was so close to me I had to jump the curb. I thought it was going to hit me."

Watson said he veered back onto the road to avoid a drain, and then the car's driver "slammed on his brakes . . . directly in front" of him and his friend. Both cyclists avoided running into the car.

Maybe the doctor knew that after such treatment, the cyclist would

Watson said his friend hit the car with his fist and yelled for the driver to get out. The car instead "came right at me," Watson said. Watson said he took down the car's license plate number before the driver, whom he identified in court as Thompson, took off.and therefore deserved such treatment in advance.

I sincerely hope the cyclists are able to financially ruin this jackass in a civil suit. Someone like this, that will hurt him the worst. I also hope he is convicted on the felonies, and loses his license to practice medicine as a result.

I can guarantee you he will not lose his license to practice. Medical boards, though charged with protecting the public, are very protective of their own.

Remember the Tuskegee experiment, where medical doctors watched African-American men die agonizing deaths from syphillis while witholding treatment from them?

Not a single thing happened to any of those MDs after the experiment was exposed. They weren't reprimanded they weren't chastised, they weren't even slapped on the wrist.

I have no doubt that Dr. Scumball will continue to practice unscathed.

Remember the Tuskegee experiment, where medical doctors watched African-American men die agonizing deaths from syphillis while witholding treatment from them?

Not a single thing happened to any of those MDs after the experiment was exposed. They weren't reprimanded they weren't chastised, they weren't even slapped on the wrist.

Things have changed a bit since then.

If the doctor is convicted of a felony, there will be some punishment. It likely won't be much (maybe a short license suspension), and the criminal and civil sanctions are likely to be much greater, but it will be something.

Once the idiot is out of prison he should be required to be a bike commuter for the rest of his life....

The comments on that article are quite amazing.

This isn't one of those stories where somebody hit a cyclist that they didn't see, or the cyclist was ran a red light and was hit by a car. Or even where there was a big argument and it was his word against his. No, this is pretty much a slam dunk case of `the doctor needs to go to jail'. The cyclists did nothing wrong (beyond maybe yelling back at the doctor, but that's not a crime) and broke no laws. The motorist on the other hand clearly assaulted them, explained to the police why he assaulted them, and has a documented history of this behavior in the past.

It might have been different if the motorist had played dumb and said he slammed on the brakes for a dog that ran out in the road, but no, he explained it to the cops. (You have the right to remain silent. If you don't use it, you're dumb.) The documented previous incident further helps damn him. And he's a doctor, and lectured rather than helping his injured victims -- making it even more reprehensible. The only thing that could have hurt his case more would be if the victims were children or nuns, or he was drunk. (And being drunk might actually help his case, as he could just blame his rage on that!)

And yet there's comment after comment expressing sympathy for the doctor, comments saying that it was the cyclist's fault -- for being there, for speeding, etc. Or that wearing spandex is a crime against humanity. Unbelievable.

One other thing I'd like to point out is that the Hippocratic Oath (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippocratic_Oath) really doesn't apply here. Not only is it not required and not taken by all doctors, but the modern version (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/doctors/oath_modern.html) doesn't even say `do no harm' -- and in the classic (translated) version, `do no harm' appears to be meant to apply to medical dealings anyways. (The original version was in Greek, which I do not know, so I can't say that the translation is accurate or not. But certainly, doctors today don't swear to the classic version anyways.)

I've been up Mandeville Canyon plenty of times and it's probably one of my favorite areas to go up riding. Correct me if I'm wrong this guy is out on bail, my guess back in his house on that road. Scares the crap out of me when I go up there wondering if I'm going to be this guy's next victim.


What's the average descending speed on there? In a video that was posted after the incident on how people should ride there, I noticed that there wasn't a good sight line of traffic coming down the road at more than about 20 mph. This was for traffic pulling out of driveways with visual obstructions. I'd be more worried about flying through that area, than a PO'd driver.