Northern California - Cyclist hit-and-run; look out for a BMW 7 series with broken right side mirror

Reposting from the Alto Velo mailing list via the FFBC mailing list:
I've met Ashleigh and she's a real hoot. This hits close to home.


Dave Nelson here
Ashleigh is Serious and Stable condition right now. Her head had rapid acceleration and deceleration of the brain. She has some slight bleeding on the brain. She is at Valley Med Trauma ICU. This happened because a late model silver 7 series hit here from behind right past Fruitvale ave in the bike lane at 5:30 pm. I was in front of her and the mirror that was dangling from the car hit me also in the bike lane. The car proceeded to pull to the right and then take off. It was a heart sinking tenious situation for a while. I really thought I was going to lose her there. The Police, Fire and her Docs at Valley Med have done a wonderous job. She is alive and she is a fighter!
Keep her in your prayers and you have any question or anything. You can call me 408-891-5709. She is on the 2nd floor ICU at Valley Med.

I am in desperate search of a late model silver 7 series with a broken right side mirror around Los Gatos and Saratoga. I have no license plate I was the only witness at this point. I was just trying to keep her alive.

Thanks,
Dave Nelson

Mercury News

Bay Area competitive cyclist injured in hit-and-run
By Lisa Krieger
Posted: 04/19/2009 11:12:18 PM PDT
Updated: 04/19/2009 11:34:06 PM PDT

Competitive cyclist Ashley Jackson, 24, of San Jose, remains hospitalized in critical but stable condition with head injuries after an alleged hit-and-run accident Sunday afternoon in Saratoga, according to authorities.

Jackson's boyfriend David Nelson, 41, said the couple was cycling along Highway 9 near Fruitvale Avenue around 5:30 p.m. when Nelson said he was hit on his left side by a right side view mirror of a passing silver BMW four-door sedan. Nelson said he saw the car slow down briefly, but then continue on. Nelson said when he turned to check on Jackson, he saw her lying on the ground. As he attempted to help her breathe, he said, several motorists stopped and called 911.

The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department confirmed Deputy Shane Bryant arrived on scene.

Jackson, a Category 4-grade competitor who rides with Alto Velo/Webcor, remains in the intensive care unit at Valley Medical Center in San Jose, a hospital spokeswoman said.

thats terrible, i wonder if there is anything we could do.

Man, another reason for me to get that goPro camera. :mad:

could have got the plate number of that jackass.

I hope she makes a full recovery. :(

Reposting from the Alto Velo mailing list via the FFBC mailing list:
I've met Ashleigh and she's a real hoot. This hits close to home.

:(

Here's hoping someone saw something (other motorists?!) and was able to get even a partial plate.

I don't understand why people hit and run, unless they're drunk. Running and leaving someone laying on side of the road is worse than being an idiot and hitting a cyclist/pedestrian in the first place.

You might want to contact the parts and service departments of the BMW dealers in your area and tell them to be on the lookout for someone (body shop, independent repair shop or owner) either purchasing the mirror, or getting it replaced. If BMW body parts are like Volvo's, the mirror comes already painted to match the car. Ask that they contact the local police if the person shows up. The police may have already done this David, but check anyway. Best wishes for a speedy recovery to your girlfriend. Hope they find the SOB and hang him/her high.

It's really amazing how close-knit the cycling community is.

Repost from Alto Velo mailing list via the FFBC mailing list:


From: Carole Sykes
Date: Monday, April 20, 2009, 10:44 AM

Carole Sykes (Women’s CAT 4) here on behalf of Los Gatos Bicycle Racing Club (SugerCRM) to Dave Nelson.



We are all terribly saddened by this event and our heartfelt best wishes to Ashleigh, David, the families and Webcor. Each time one of our own in the cycling community

becomes a victim in such carelessness (in this case added to by the disregard for the lives of other human beings) it effects us all. We as a community of passionate and

and cohesive individuals cannot let this act go without response. We are “On It”! BMW shops are getting calls from us as I type this email. We will put the work out

to find this person, understand what happened and respond appropriately.



KCBS wants to talk to Dave Nelson. Call Ted at 415-765-4074.



Your are in our thoughts,



LGBRC

That's horrible. :( :mad:

Hoping for a quick and full recovery, and for justice.

Mary Ellen and I met Ashleigh and David at the Madera Stage race. They are a wonderful couple. This is a horrible event. Ashleigh needs our well wishes and prayers. As always, let's assume family and friends read this board so the more positive mojo the better.

Hope they catch the guy that did this. It's very disturbing and upsetting that someone could do this and not stop to see if the person is ok. It wouldn't look so bad if the guy stopped and did the right thing...but seeing how he left the scene makes it a crime rather than an accident, and he will definitely be looking at jail time. Hope they catch the guy and I hope the woman recovers. If the wheels of justice don't catch up to him his conscious eventually will.

So sorry to hear this. Hoping for a complete recovery for Ashleigh and that they get the hit and run driver...

This is very disturbing news, as my wife and I bike on this stretch of Highway 9 pretty frequently. Prayers go out to Ashleigh for a speedy recovery, and best wishes to Dave as well.

I know that going west on Hwy 9 toward Saratoga, drivers sometimes have the setting sun in their eyes. However, there is NO excuse EVER for a hit and run. BlastRadius, thanks for sharing and please keep the rest of us up to date with any news you might have. I hope they catch the culprit and that justice is served.

Latest report is the Ashleigh is still in ICU but doing better. She is allowed to have visitors and welcomes them.

That's great news, I hope she has a full recovery. :thumb:

Looks like they are up'ing the ante on this case ... $11,000 reward leading to information to the driver who did this.

http://ow.ly/3NbV

I can't believe this took 3 days to hit the radio (KLIV this morning).

Ashleigh has been moved out from ICU to neurology center. This is good news.

I visited her yesterday, she is alert, responsive. She laughs and she is in good spirit.

That is good news. Glad you were able to visit her.

Sometimes the human species really disappoints me. Oh well, glad to hear she is making a recovery.

The Mercury News has some updated information about Ashleigh and her condition.


Jackson, who is being treated at Valley Medical Center for trauma sustained to her brain, is conscious and eating, and she was transferred out of the intensive care unit late last week, Nelson said. Although she has motor movement throughout her body, he said, Jackson still has some paralysis on her left side.

Full article here: http://www.mercurynews.com/valley/ci_12272005

She's staying with her mom for now.
She has an amazing strong and upbeat attitude.
http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1528577668&ref=nf

There a benefit raffle for Ashleigh at Saturday's (5/2) Cat's Hill race:


COME JOIN US AT THE CAT'S HILL CLASSIC
TO HELP ASHLEIGH JACKSON

On Sunday, April 19th, fellow cyclist Ashleigh Jackson was seriously injured in an hit-and-run accident in Saratoga. As part of a community- wide effort of outreach and solidarity, SugarCRM/LGBRC and Webcor/AV announce a silent auction and raffle event at the Cat's Hill Classic on Saturday, May 2.

Come join us for a chance to win two signed Webcor/AV jerseys from World Cycling Champions Christine Thorburn and Karen Brems, as well as hundreds of dollars in prizes and gift certificates from Palo Alto Bicycles, The Bicycle Outfitter, Cupertino Bike Shop, Sterling Sports Group, Testarossa Winery, Voler Clothing, Revolutions in Fitness, and Integrate Performance Fitness.

All proceeds will be used to offset Ashleigh's medical and rehabilitation costs. We would like to thank our generous sponsors, as well as our fellow cyclists, for their generosity and support. We would also like to thank Casey Kerrigan for allowing us to use our race forum to share this important event with our local cycling community.

For questions, please contact Lisa Hern at 1-408-596-1008 or lisa.hern@gmail.com
or John Sevic at 408-891-1777 or jsevic@gmail.com


Also, all the proceeds of the Women's Cat 4 race at the Memorial Day Crit will go to benefit Ashleigh as well:

Behalf Of Jonathan Racine
Sent: Friday, May 01, 2009 2:20 PM
To: NCNCA
Subject: [NCNCA] Women 4 Field @ the Memorial Day Criterium

The net proceeds from the Women 4 field at the Memorial Day
Criterium will be donated to the Ashleigh Jackson Medical &
Rehabilitation Fund

Memorial Day Criterium Registration
https://www.sportsbaseonline.com/Item. aspx?item_ id=3240

Help find Ashleigh Jackson's Hit and Run Driver!
http://www.altovelo.org/uploads/ashleigh_ jackson_v3.pdf

Jonathan Racine
Club President
San Jose Bicycle Club

Glad she is doing better but hopefully she will fully recover.

Any news on the BMW driver?

I found her on Facebook and she's very friendly. As one recently injured I can tell you that having a wide social network is very helpful in recovery. Knowing how many friends and virtual friends are pulling for you is very powerful.

She has an amazing attitude. I hope to meet her someday.

If there's still no word on the BMW, I might be able to call in a favor with some contacts in the SJPD. Let me know and I'll see what I can do.

http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_12275753

Mayors call on communities to help find the BMW driver who hit Highway 9 bicyclist

By Brian Babcock
Saratoga News
Posted: 05/01/2009 05:56:38 PM PDT

The mayors of Saratoga, Los Gatos and Monte Sereno have asked for the public's help in finding the person who hit 24-year-old cyclist Ashleigh Jackson, who is recovering from injuries she suffered when she was hit on Highway 9.

Jackson and her boyfriend, David Nelson, were both hit by a silver BMW while riding their bicycles on Highway 9 near Fruitvale Avenue in Saratoga. Jackson is currently being treated at Valley Medical Center for head trauma. Nelson received minor injuries.

"This unfortunate accident was made worse by the fact that the driver of the vehicle fled the scene," reads a news release sent out by Saratoga Mayor Chuck Page, Los Gatos Mayor Mike Wasserman and Monte Sereno Mayor Curtis Wright.

"The behavior that this driver showed, by not just knocking her down, but leaving her there, was a cowardly act and something that we want to preclude as much as possible," said Wright.

Wasserman agreed and said there is a major difference between an accident and a hit-and-run.

"A hit-and-run is done intentionally and that should never happen in our community," he said. The Los Gatos mayor said he hopes that the person responsible will turn him- or herself in.

"Saratoga, Los Gatos and Monte Sereno have been committed to working together to see that Highway 9 is a safer route for residents and visitors," the news release states.

A suspect has been arrested: http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_14846573

Im glad to hear that they finally caught up with him. I dont know why it took so long though with all the intersection and traffic cameras that are around these days.

thanks for the update. God bless

Im glad to hear that they finally caught up with him. I dont know why it took so long though with all the intersection and traffic cameras that are around these days.That neighborhood and that road and that intersection would have to be waaay toward the bottom of any priority list for installing surveillance cameras.

I hope that POS of a human being ruts in prison and gets to be someones ***** for the rest of his life.

Im just thinking that they could have identified the vehicle leaving the area by reviewing traffic camera footage from the surrounding area intersections. Unless the culprits route home is completely free of traffic cams of any kind which seems unlikely. It is basically impossible to move around in today's world without being caught on camera at some point. Here in Gainesville they have installed cameras at nearly every intersection and they have a traffic control center which monitors them.

Glad they got him!! WOOT!!

From the article: "Jackson still suffers from double vision and a damaged optic nerve in her left eye, Nelson said. He said that the left side of her body is still much weaker than the right side."

I had a similar optic nerve injury after my bike crash a year ago, and experienced double vision for a couple of months (although, after the first couple of weeks, I had DV for the most part only early AM & late PM or when I was tired). Very very lucky for me, it was nowhere near as severe as Ashley's and it gradually went way on its own.

I really feel for Ashley, double vision is a pretty wretched thing to live with. It nearly drove me bonkers for the relatively short amount of time I experienced it.

Best wishes for her recovery.

Im just thinking that they could have identified the vehicle leaving the area by reviewing traffic camera footage from the surrounding area intersections. Unless the culprits route home is completely free of traffic cams of any kind which seems unlikely. It is basically impossible to move around in today's world without being caught on camera at some point. Here in Gainesville they have installed cameras at nearly every intersection and they have a traffic control center which monitors them.

Not that many cameras like that here. I think he'd have to run a red light to be seen.

It doesn't say how they eventually caught him. I am guessing he had to buy a new mirror and they used that. I am glad they caught him, I have been hit by two mirrors (one while I was walking). The H3 hit me while I was in a bike lane and stopped, although no real damage to me as the mirror just folded in and it hit my camelback. I was hit by a Camry while walking, it took her mirror off and she kept driving, although she was watching me in her rear-view mirror. The last one really scared me, although it didn't really hurt... I made a lot of buns of steel jokes, but I was really surprised that I didn't have more damage. It felt like someone hitting my bum with a paddle. I suppose I have been unconsciously riding more trails and less roads lately, something I need to get over.

I am guessing he had to buy a new mirror and they used that.There are plenty of Internet based auto parts suppliers, including vendors of new OEM components like mirror assemblies, even for current model cars. So if the driver is a DIY sort of guy, he wouldn't have needed to visit a local body shop or dealer or repair shop to get the work done, though that's where the alert went out in the initial aftermath of the incident. That commerce would be as difficult for the Sheriff to track as if you were to purchase a new Shimano Dura-Ace brake set from Colorado Cyclist vs. Lickton's Supply.

A car mirror shouldn't be very difficult even for a novice to replace. Usually just a few bolts holding it down and a wiring harness if it is powered. They can be purchased pre-painted from the dealer usually. After market ones I've seen usually are black and need paint.

they don't stamp VIN numbers on those kind of things? they should...

they don't stamp VIN numbers on those kind of things? they should...

This would be assuming that the mirror was left at the scene of the incident. Even then, it may not help much and kind of pointless since those are commonly replaced parts. Can get them at junkyard or aftermarket sources. It would be very difficult process to get all these parts stamped. Mirrors are also fairly cheap items so not really worth it compared to say a metal or composite body panel which has far higher value.

I suppose I have been unconsciously riding more trails and less roads lately, something I need to get over.
No shame in that. I'd stick to off-road paths entirely myself, if I had the option to do so.

This ran below the fold of yesterday's front page: http://mercurynews.com/ci_15017432

some of those comments astound me. really. the dude 'sgtpepper' really likes to hear himself talk. jeez.

I am really glad to hear of the progress in the case, I've been following it since last year.