Commuting - Commuter Killed by Truck

A fifty-something electrician who works in my building (the Ronald Reagan Building, NW, DC) was, evidently killed this morning by a truck at Constitution and 14 th. The news is reporting that it happened a little after 6 a.m., I pass through this same intersection daily and saw the accident scene shortly afterwards. I rode past congested traffic and turned left on 14th noticing the emergency vehicles to my right. I heard rumors but later confirmed that it was an electrician who I knew of and actually had ridden with and spoken to a couple of times. Apparently he drove some distance, parked, and rode in the last few miles. I also heard that the 18 wheeler didn't stop after hitting him. After talking with his boss I realized that he left behind 2 teenage kids. This is obviously very tragic, but really hit home since bicycle commuters are a relatively small community. I was a little shaken given that I was almost hit a couple of months ago at this same intersection. I called a friend (another commuter) and my family to let them know that it wasn't me. My heart really goes out to him and his family.

http://www.nbc4.com/traffic/3596216/detail.html

That is a tragedy. I know the intersection well, as years ago I worked at the Commerce Dept. Bldg (Hoover Bldg.) that fronts on it. It is terriby busy (though shouldn't be so at that hour of the morning). A friend once was hit jogging across the corner at lunch.



A fifty-something electrician who works in my building (the Ronald Reagan Building, NW, DC) was, evidently killed this morning by a truck at Constitution and 14 th. The news is reporting that it happened a little after 6 a.m., I pass through this same intersection daily and saw the accident scene shortly afterwards. I rode past congested traffic and turned left on 14th noticing the emergency vehicles to my right. I heard rumors but later confirmed that it was an electrician who I knew of and actually had ridden with and spoken to a couple of times. Apparently he drove some distance, parked, and rode in the last few miles. I also heard that the 18 wheeler didn't stop after hitting him. After talking with his boss I realized that he left behind 2 teenage kids. This is obviously very tragic, but really hit home since bicycle commuters are a relatively small community. I was a little shaken given that I was almost hit a couple of months ago at this same intersection. I called a friend (another commuter) and my family to let them know that it wasn't me. My heart really goes out to him and his family.

http://www.nbc4.com/traffic/3596216/detail.html

The event of this morning is quite tragic.

It hit home for me, for sure. I rode down 15th street through all of the congestion this morning, locked my bike up at my building, showered and went into my office. When I pulled out my cell phone from my bike bag, I had five messages, all from my wife. As she was feeding our newborn son this morning, she saw on the news that a cyclist had been killed at 14th and Constitution, around the time I usually pass through that area. Her messages were increasingly worried. Needless to say, she was relieved when I called her back and told her I was okay.

But this event brings some perspective to me as a D.C. bike commuter. I realize that everyday I ride my bike through the downtown traffic that I am putting myself in danger. I take precautions, wear a helmet, etc., but the danger is still there. Is the danger any greater than if I were to drive my car to work, or take public transportation? Hard to say. Where automobile drivers can't or won't share the roads with cyclists, I would definitely say that there is increased danger.

My condolences to the family of our brother cyclist. And let's all try to remember to be extra safe out there on the road.

My condolences to the family.

>A tractor-trailer was driving north of 14th Street and attempted to make a right-hand turn on Constitution Avenue and struck the bicyclist

Sorry to hear that. From the article, I can't determine how it happened. Was the cyclist pedaling across the cross-walk??

As a fellow commuter my heart goes out to him and his family. I hope someone will be putting a ghostbike (http://abcnews.go.com/sections/US/Living/bicycle_safety_040702-1.html)
out for him.

:0(

As a fellow commuter my heart goes out to him and his family. I hope someone will be putting a ghostbike out for him.

:0(

Well said. How very sad. :(

I feel bad specially after seeing the picture, condolence to the family

The Washington Post states Marciano Axibal was struck and killed while standing or walking his bike in a crosswalk. I also heard a report that said he was on the corner, standing next to his bike. The truck made a right hand turn on red, a legal turn, and killed him. It is possible the truck jumped the curb and hit Maciano while he was on the sidewalk. The driver stopped a few blocks later, but has not been charged at this time.

As a DC commuter, this accident really hit home for me too. I pass through this area, one block away, around 5:30 a.m. Marciano was hit at 5:50. At that hour, the streets are very quiet. Marciano had lights on his bike, but I fear the driver was looking the opposite direction. I see this from drivers a lot. When they are making a right hand turn on red, they look to the left, and enter the intersection without clearing to the right and to the front. I didn't observe this accident, but it would not surprise me if the truck didn't stop before making the turn.

In the drivers defense, there are a lot of jersey barriers and obstructing fences all over downtown DC. That intersection is in between the Smithsonians, the White House, and the Washington Monument, and there are barricades all over the place. It is one of the major intersections downtown.

My prayers are with the Axibal family, and with my own.

My condolences all his friends and family.

This is a reminder to all uf us to watch out for tractor trailers making right turns on busy streets. I often see their rear wheels hopping the curb.

This is very very sad...
You should look into organizing a "ride of silence" in his memory and to raise awareness...
http://www.rideofsilence.org/history.php

Seems like that truck made too tight of a turn and popped onto the curb. I don't know how populated the area is but if it's anything like midtown here, 18 wheelers just don't belong. There's a reason why supertankers just don't pull up and dock to port.

http://img46.exs.cx/img46/8923/FAMILY.th.jpg (http://img46.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img46&image=FAMILY.jpg)
Marciano Moises Axibal ~ January 9, 1941 - July 30, 2004

Manny left to cherish his memory four children; two girls, ages 27 & 29, and two boys, ages 24 & 19. He was a hardworking, dedicated father who instilled in his children his passion for standing up for, and following through with, what one would believe to be right and true. We would like to thank you all for your thoughts and prayers.

Myra, Grace, Christon, Jaynard
The Axibal Family

Memorial Services Information:

Wake: Sunday Aug. 8, 2004 from 6pm-8pm
Service: Monday Aug. 9, 2004 at 10am
Covenant Funeral Services
4801 Jefferson Davis Hwy, (Rt.1)
Fredericksburg, VA 22408

Funeral Information:

Sunset Memorial Garden
3702 Loren Drive, off of Jefferson Davis Hwy (Rt.1)
Fredericksburg, VA 22408

For directions call Covenant Funeral Home (540) 898-4326