S.C. Driver Convicted of Felony for Killing Cyclist
10-18-11, 11:24 PM
#1
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S.C. Driver Convicted of Felony for Killing Cyclist
“Matt Burke’s legacy is that drivers can and should be treated as criminals for killing cyclists. Throughout the country, cycling deaths are regularly dismissed by law enforcement as mere traffic ‘accidents.’ But often they are not accidental, the needless fatalities are tragic consequences of reckless driving and lawless drivers,” Wilborn writes on his BikeLaw.com blog. “The driver’s felony conviction here proves to police, policymakers and drivers to take cycling safety seriously. This case from South Carolina is an example of how to do it right.”
Read the full article:
https://blog.bikeleague.org/blog/2011...lling-cyclist/
Read the full article:
https://blog.bikeleague.org/blog/2011...lling-cyclist/
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10-18-11, 11:34 PM
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genec
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“The police originally said it was just an accident,”
Oh sure in this case they were finally pushed to really investigate... and the guilty party admitted his fault.
But as long as police have the attitude that bikes don't belong on the roads and such incidents can be "just an accident," cyclists will continue to get the short end of things.
10-19-11, 12:12 AM
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When are the police going to get a clue... there is no such thing as "just an accident" in the case of most motor vehicle collisions.
Oh sure in this case they were finally pushed to really investigate... and the guilty party admitted his fault.
But as long as police have the attitude that bikes don't belong on the roads and such incidents can be "just an accident," cyclists will continue to get the short end of things.
Oh sure in this case they were finally pushed to really investigate... and the guilty party admitted his fault.
But as long as police have the attitude that bikes don't belong on the roads and such incidents can be "just an accident," cyclists will continue to get the short end of things.
10-19-11, 09:32 AM
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“Matt Burke’s legacy is that drivers can and should be treated as criminals for killing cyclists. Throughout the country, cycling deaths are regularly dismissed by law enforcement as mere traffic ‘accidents.’ But often they are not accidental, the needless fatalities are tragic consequences of reckless driving and lawless drivers,” Wilborn writes on his BikeLaw.com blog. “The driver’s felony conviction here proves to police, policymakers and drivers to take cycling safety seriously. This case from South Carolina is an example of how to do it right.”
Read the full article:
https://blog.bikeleague.org/blog/2011...lling-cyclist/
Read the full article:
https://blog.bikeleague.org/blog/2011...lling-cyclist/
The police only do something as a result of the video, after it has gone viral on YouTube, never before it has gone viral.Cyclists' are considered second-class humans in the transportation world.
10-19-11, 09:37 AM
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When are the police going to get a clue... there is no such thing as "just an accident" in the case of most motor vehicle collisions.
Oh sure in this case they were finally pushed to really investigate... and the guilty party admitted his fault.
But as long as police have the attitude that bikes don't belong on the roads and such incidents can be "just an accident," cyclists will continue to get the short end of things.
Oh sure in this case they were finally pushed to really investigate... and the guilty party admitted his fault.
But as long as police have the attitude that bikes don't belong on the roads and such incidents can be "just an accident," cyclists will continue to get the short end of things.
Last edited by Chris516; 10-19-11 at 10:02 AM.
10-19-11, 09:56 AM
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“Matt Burke’s legacy is that drivers can and should be treated as criminals for killing cyclists. Throughout the country, cycling deaths are regularly dismissed by law enforcement as mere traffic ‘accidents.’ But often they are not accidental, the needless fatalities are tragic consequences of reckless driving and lawless drivers,” Wilborn writes on his BikeLaw.com blog. “The driver’s felony conviction here proves to police, policymakers and drivers to take cycling safety seriously. This case from South Carolina is an example of how to do it right.”
Read the full article:
https://blog.bikeleague.org/blog/2011...lling-cyclist/
Read the full article:
https://blog.bikeleague.org/blog/2011...lling-cyclist/
Thumbs up for S.C.
10-24-11, 07:44 PM
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no longer a newbie
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Sentence: the driver who killed Matt Burke was sentenced to 90 days in jail, 5 years of probation, and forfeited his driver’s license.
...would have expected more jail time.
...would have expected more jail time.
10-24-11, 08:07 PM
#8
Hogosha Sekai
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10-25-11, 12:47 PM
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This is one of the reasons that I'd like there to be a quick and easy way to report aggressive driving towards cyclists. Even if they can't actually do anything about it at the time, anyone who makes aggressive moves just waived any consideration that a future incident might be considered an "accident."
If you injure a cyclist, and have on record complaints against you for harassing cyclists, it should weigh heavily towards premeditated aggression causing injury.
If you injure a cyclist, and have on record complaints against you for harassing cyclists, it should weigh heavily towards premeditated aggression causing injury.
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10-29-11, 08:47 PM
#10
Walmart bike rider
Actually, South Carolina only gets these convictions when a rich bicyclist gets killed. If this guy had not been a high profile, no conviction happens. I can point to dozens of cases where "poorer" people get struck and killed and no criminal charges are filed.
10-29-11, 08:50 PM
#11
Walmart bike rider
10-29-11, 09:54 PM
#12
Cycle Year Round
That is not always true. Look at the good doctor of LA who was convicted. His prior bad act a year before was judged to be similar enough to be considered in the in the case he went to trial on.
Additionally, if convicted, then the prior bad acts are almost always admissible for sentencing.
Additionally, if convicted, then the prior bad acts are almost always admissible for sentencing.
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