Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Hit and Run

So, I've got another little story for you.

I was walking out of the bar tonight, and I had had 3-4 beers. Not very much booze, right? I was doing ~3mph down the sidewalk, keeping pace with two of my pedestrian friends, having a good conversation. Next thing I know, this cop is telling me that my helmet saved my life.

Apparently, a car (presumably a drunk driver, according to the policeman) peeled out of the parking lot and took me with him. Either his front tire or fender caught my front wheel and put me in the sidewalk with enough force to split the front of my helmet in half. Of course, he/she kept on going, and nobody got a plate. The best description was "a beige sedan."

You'll have to excuse my shoddy compositional skills, as I'm a whole lot of codeine deep.

This Mother ****er broke BOTH my upper AND lower jaw, broke my nose, and gave me an assload of stitches in my lips. My top and bottom teeth have been pushed back into my mouth. I'm going to have to go see a plastic surgeon because the oral surgeon doubts that he will be able to put my face back together. And do you want to know what pisses me off? This piece of **** that hit me is probably going to get away with it, because they DROVE OFF!!!

I don't think that there are words to express my rage right now. Not only did my pretty face get absolutely ****ing mangled, but I can't do **** to the person who did it.

This not only jeopardizes my charity ride in a month, but also my looks. I don't mean to sound vain, but everyone knows that looks play an important role in social interactions. If I have to walk around for the rest of my life with half of my teeth pointing down my throat, who knows what kind of adverse affect that will have.

I don't mean to sound petty right now, I'm just extremely upset, and I have no recourse. I don't even know why I'm writing this. Maybe I need to vent, maybe I want pity. I doubt it. I'm just so filled with hate right now, I had to share it with somebody, and you happened to be in my way. Thanks for listening.

Torrin

Any chance that the parking lot that this miserable individual came out of has a camera? Or might park there on a regular basis. If they park there alot you might want to put up some flyers with a description of the car and possible damage that was done to it when they ran you down.

did you have flashers on?

thats fuggin atrocious... i hope karma does its thing

Ok so this might be a total waste of time as well, but what about calling local body shops and or insurance companies and asking them to be on the lookout for this "persons" car or claim.

man, i'm sorry. i know that doesn't help at all though. i'd be furious if i was in your shoes. hate in the heart is totally understandable. i hope things go well w/ the doctors though. get well.

dan

Any chance that the parking lot that this miserable individual came out of has a camera? Or might park there on a regular basis. If they park there alot you might want to put up some flyers with a description of the car and possible damage that was done to it when they ran you down.
screw the flyers...do a bit of recon on the lot checking for the car first. Get the plates of cars that match the description and do your bidding.
I know it sucks LL, but I am glad you are here to tell us.
The slowest thing to heal is the mind. Vent as needed. I will listen for sure.

I actually did intend to type that as well. Have some friends go around to any of the surronding lots as well and check them out. If this happened downtown you may want to ask some of the messengers to keep an eye out as well.

Wow, I do not know what to say except glad to have you still with us.

Heal fast, get a new helmet and find the ****er!

This is NOT the news I wanted to wake up to. If they do find the person, the person should be strung up from the nearest tree. Foremost, I hope you heal well Torrin. I hope also that they find the guy and he gets what he deserves.

That sucks. Hopefully things can only improve from here on in. Vent away.

wow i am so sorry that happened to you... **** where is that helmet of mine. oh right its still in storage from when i moved.

Glad you're still around to share this, sorry that bastard still is. Heal quickly and reap vengance upon the wicked.

Lucklust...you have reason to vent! We'll listen. Heal fast and well! As for the ****er who hit you...it's most likely he/she's done this before and most likely at the same bar and parked in the same lot. As 165 said, do a bit of recon. Check out the lot and maybe ask around at some of the bars in the vicinity of the lot. This person may slip up and tell someone about his encounter. The bartenders may protect this patron of there's but hey, you never know right?

Remember, what goes around, comes around. Heal fast!

I am pissed sitting here in study hall reading this. One kid better not act up right now!

Vent away.

You need to do so.

We'll listen.

I don't know if you care to read this now, but there is a good book, whose title you may want to store away for a rain day, about a person who went through a similar non-biking situtation, and had to deal with a similar facial thing. It's called Autobiography of a Face, author last name, Greely, I believe. If you want more info, PM me.

May the healing begin, inside and out.

Vent away!!

Everyone, thanks so much for the support. It's good to know that not everybody blows goats for quarters (superchivo excepted). I have to go to the doctor now, but I'll let you all know how it works out.

p.s. look for pics in the owie photos thread :)

And the ad-bot adds insult to injury.
(had ads for dentures, dental surgery, etc...)

Damn, that sucks Torrin. If I wasn't on the wrong coast I'd help with the recon effort. Hope the doctors appt goes well and keep us all posted.

that not everybody blows goats for quarters (superchivo excepted).
A boy has to make a living and you need to get even. Odds are this guy will lay low for a couple of weeks. If it was a neighborhood bar he was leaving, he'll be back eventually. Have your buddies check out the parking lot, especially on the same night of the week you were hit. Bar regulars are nothing if not predictable.

You will find this guy. I don't know what Juan Law will be able to do once you find him, but I'm sure you'll think of something.

Heal fast and keep you powder dry. He'll get stupid in no time and you'll be there.

holy ****! i hope they catch the *******, and i, like others, am glad you're well enough to tell the tale. one of my friends broke his jaw last year at a skatepark. had to have it wired shut, the whole deal. he worked through it, both mentally and physically, as a messenger. i don't think there was a day that went by when he didn't pop at least a couple percs.

heal fast.

How's the bike?

Just kidding, man.

I'm just stunned.

holy cow...damn...sorry to hear that! you were certainly on your way to raising your goal for the charity ride....please let us know if there is anything we can do...

are there any bike advocacy groups in your area that are ITCHING at the chance to jump in and help find this guy????? seriously...check with your local bike federation, messengers association, whatever...keep us posted on your recovery...get well friend..
randy

Dude, that's horrible, I'm really sorry to hear that...A few words from someone that's been there.

15 years or so ago I did something very stupid and wound up riding into the back of a parked car. I smashed my face all to hell and bashed out about 8 teeth. When I saw my face afterwords I was convinced I was going to be disfigured for life. Within a few months, my face was pretty much back to normal. Plastic surgeons can do amazing things, and I have dental implants that replaced the teeth I bashed out, which work great. I had sutures all over my face but scarring was minimal, and the scars faded over time. I have a couple spots on my face where I can't feel anything cuz the nerves died, but from a quality-of-life perspective, I made a 100% recovery.

Of course, since it was my own fault, I never had to deal with the anger, but I've been hit (and injured) by reckless drivers on other occasions and I'd suggest that you just try not to think about it right now and concentrate on recovering. Just put it out of your mind as best you can.

Bottom line, you WON'T be disfigured, and with implants its no big deal if you lose some teeth. Stay away from mirrors til you get the sutures removed. You'll be OK.

Hang in there...

David

You should be glad you're still alive, or not more seriously injured, thank your stars that guy didn't get away with death by dangerous driving. And he better start running, cos every decent person in San Fran should be hunting for him (heck, I'm not even in America and I'm still gonna keep an eye out :) ).

I really hope the doctors can do something for you; my cousin has a hugely swolen face (has been since birth), and it's really effected his social life. I wouldn't wish disfigurement on anyone.

Sympathies, really vicious.
I always walk around with my chin strap undone in town, or walking my bike.
Your story makes me want to strap it down all the time.

Get well soon.

I echo what peligro said; those plasticicians are amazing these days.

Godspeed, man.

Best of luck and a speedy recovery...

i'm glad your still here, but it's stories like these that always make me scared to ride. i would suggest posting on craigslist or the such since i know there are pretty vigilant people on there. it sounds like this guy might be a regular bar crawler.

but it's stories like these that always make me scared to ride.
Thing is, he was on the footpath doing pedestrian speed. Coulda happened to anyone, not just a cyclist.

God speed the recovery bud, if you catch the ****er, vengenance (sp?) shall be extra sweet for you. Just dont get put in jail OK? This is one person that needs THEIR face messed up. Wonder if it would be much fun for THEM? Crowbar anyone?

BJ

Have your buddies check out the parking lot, especially on the same night of the week you were hit. Bar regulars are nothing if not predictable.
Done and done. I have a feeling that their stupidity wasn't temporary, and that I'll catch up to them someday. I'm not a violent guy when I'm off of my bike, but I'll probably do the same thing to him that I did to the dirtbag I caught stealing my motorcycle.



i don't think there was a day that went by when he didn't pop at least a couple percs.
Done and done. I've got my Tanqueray 10 on the rocks, no lime, Hydrocodone back. Fits perfectly into my liquid diet, and is so so nice on a beautiful day like today.



How's the bike?
Surprisingly, not bad. Just some scuffs where it scraped sidewalk. It fared much better than my face did. Thankfully I was going slow enough (walking speed) that the perpendicular impact just yanked the bars out of my hand. The bars put a pretty good scrape in the frame, but the front wheel's not bent. And it's spattered with blood speckles. Honestly, it looks kind of cool like that :)



Hope the doctors appt goes well and keep us all posted.
So here's where it's gonna get gruesome. Be warned, these pictures are pretty ****ing graphic. Don't look at them if you're eating.
The first one is a paintshop text thingy so that the people who don't want to read about it don't have to.



you were certainly on your way to raising your goal for the charity ride....please let us know if there is anything we can do...
Are you kidding? I'm ****ing hardcore, man. I'm still doing the ride. I've busted my butt too hard (and so have many of you) to give up now. The surgeon said that I probably shouldn't, but what the hell does he know? He only went to school for like, a decade, or something. :rolleyes:

More pics...

The worst part is that it is going to be very difficult to pick up chicks.

They're getting very good at cosmetic surgery these days;
not sure about the insurance angle, but even the first-draft
repairs are a whole lot better than they used to be. It looks
awful now, but once the skin heals and the swelling goes down
you may be fine. And later on, when you have some money,
you can always get dental surgery and other facial reconstruction
that is pretty amazing.

No matter what you look like, it's better to be alive than dead,
so all praise to the helmet that saved your life. Mount it on
your wall, give thanks to it every day.

And maybe you'll find some good kinky cycler chicks who look
at your scars as signs of manliness.

if it weren't for your nose, i wouldn't look twice. Things aint looking that bad dude...and judging by the file names you still have some humour!

Best wishes

Well, that sucks! Hopefully somebody got a description of the car/driver. They'll be back out a the bars for sure. When you find them get the cops involved. I think hit and run is a felony. That person needs to be behind bars and pay your expenses. Keep track of everything. I'm sure the doc's will get you back to yourself in no time. Keep us informed ok. Best wishes and good luck.

He still looks better than me...must be that Pista. I gotta get me one of them.

Where was this? I'd be glad to keep an eye out.

Hey Torrin

Things will look a lot better once the swelling goes down. You're teeth will be fine. It'll give you more character. Not that you're not already a character.

As for the guy that hit you, one word when you find his car... thermite....

Cam

And maybe you'll find some good kinky cycler chicks who look
at your scars as signs of manliness.

This is truer than you realize...After my accident I went around with no front teeth for like 3-4 months and did just fine with the honies. I kid you not. Met a nice girl that I wound up staying with for five years. Its all mental, man. Don't let it bother you, it won't bother them.

More pics...

Lust man--

you're goona be fine you handsome devil. I'm going through a very simlar thing with one of my friends here, she's a gorgeous little asian chicky who got t-boned by some idiot running a red light, and it did some similar things to her jaw/face, complete with oral surgery and everything... Bottom line is, she looks better every day, the swelling goes down a little more, scars heal, and now, 4 weeks later, even her best friends have to look closely to see any signs. You and she are both good looking people, and i can tell you, she really got scared by her injuies at first, and it screwed with her head. You've gotta know that they can fix you, they have the technology, they can make you stronger, faster....Just relax, let the docs take care of it, and concentrate on the healing process. And if maybe your nose is a little crooked, only your mother will know or care. You'll be back pimpin in time for the 4th of july...

till then, you should totally play the sympathy angle. get some nice lady to put on a nurse outfit for you, show you her bedside manner.l

Now that I think about it...that whole "swollen member" thing under your name was kind of foreboding.

Dang Torrin, I just checked in and saw this. I'm glad you're alive. Your injuries will heal and you'll be lusty as ever. Tell us where it was and we'll keep an eye out, at least a craigslist posting to will get more people on notice. Did you check the parking lot camera possibility?

Man, I can't believe I just found this thread now. Where have I been?

Anyway, I feel a bit queasy, so I'm going to have a bit fo a lie down. Seriously though, Torrin, you'll be fine mate. The body heals amazingly fast. When I was in my late teens I crashed bigtime on my head. Literally, my whole face was a scab. I got majorly depressed because I thought I'd be like the Elephant man or something, but you know what? All I ended up with is a tiny scar on my upper lip. It's hellishly sexy. Chicks dig it.

I just wish we had the internet back then. Being bed ridden for 2 weeks with only midday televison to keep you company sure fücks with your mind. You should see my collection of fitness equipment! ;)

God bless the Umlaut!!!

Umlaut über alles!

Dude, that sucks. Hope you feel better and find the guy that did this to you.

As for the broken jaw, my brother got jumped outside of a bar and had his upper and lower jaw busted. He was wired shut for 6 weeks and had some surgery done on it. This was last winter. He is all good now and looks as good as new. As a bonus, he lost about 30 pounds.

Keep up your spirits and keep on your bike, man. It's therapy.

I was doing ~3mph down the sidewalk, keeping pace with two of my pedestrian friends, having a good conversation.

That sucks. It sounds like neither of your friends caught a glimpse of the vehicle?

Owen

Yeah, we have a description, but no plate :(
I'm going back in to the plastic surgeon tomorrow to work on my jaw some more. I'm going to have to do the charity ride in a face bandage (ugh), but I'm still doing it. If you happen to know ANYONE who has a couple bucks to spare, please tell them to help me out.

http://www.aidslifecycle.org/1948

I'm still a long way from my goal, and I have to pay the difference out of pocket. I'm just a poor college student, so paying for return transportation for the bike and myself is going to break me. Just mention me to everyone you know (I knew I'd be famous someday :rolleyes: )!

Thanks again,
Torrin