Cyclist intentionally(?) hit by car and lives
06-20-05 | 11:43 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,514
Likes: 4
From: Durham, NC
Bikes: more, please.
Sorry for more 'bad news', but I was so shocked by this story, I wanted to share it with the Forums.
It was sent to me via a cycling list-serv by a local cyclist.
(The location mentioned is out in the country, on a 55mph 2-lane divided highway)
It was sent to me via a cycling list-serv by a local cyclist.
(The location mentioned is out in the country, on a 55mph 2-lane divided highway)
I was biking down to Pittsboro yesterday (Saturday) morning to help with a Habitat for
Humanity building project through United Church of Chapel Hill. I went through Chapel Hill and down
Smith Level to 15-501. I wouldn't normally ride on 15-501 at all, but I figured that south of Smith Level
Road at 8am on a Saturday it wouldn't be too bad. In fact, traffic wasn't bad and usually there was a bit
of a shoulder to ride on.
I was coming around a gentle curve . . . I think between Taylor Road and Andrews Store Rd (anyone
know if Andrews Store Rd. / 15-501 is where a big, newish Exxon station is?) . . . when the car coming
the other way gunned its engines, crossed over the yellow lines, and headed straight for me.
My thought for a second was, "Surely, this guy (I say guy generically, because I didn't notice anything
about the driver) is just trying to scare me and will swerve back. By the time I realized that no, he
wasn't, there wasn't a whole lot to do. His left wheels were already on the dirt and he was coming
straight at me. I was still thinking, "This isn't really happening," but I did start to swerve to the right to
try to get out of his way. 25mph + maybe 55mph didn't give me much time. I thought perhaps I was
going to make it.
The very left front corner of his car hit my left ankle, which was at the top part of the stroke. It
shredded everything over the top of that big round bone on the outside of my ankle and broke a little
bone in the side of my foot. They pulled plastic shards of the turn signal light housing out of my
ankle at the hospital. However many milliseconds later, probably simultaneously, my left thigh sheared
off the guy's driver side mirror AND the front of his car smashed through the back of my bike, ripping the
seat stays and chain stays off the down tube and tearing the wheel out of the frame.
I landed in the dirt, and before anything else, looked to see him skidding back onto the road, touching his
brakes a bit, and then heading off towards Chapel Hill. Then I looked down at my leg. My cycling shorts
were torn away and through a perhaps 8 or 10-inch gash in my thigh a big fist of thigh muscle was
bulging up into the air. My left shoe had been torn off and there was bloody grass underneath my ankle.
Though several cars did drive by, despite my frantic waving, two eventually did stop and the people in
them were very helpful. I grabbed my cell phone out of my backpack and called 911, where it took
several rounds of clarification before the operator understood that I had been on a bike ("Sir, are you still
in your car?"), was now not, and that I was looking at the inside of my leg. I didn't know very well how
to describe my location on 15-501, but eventually assorted fire, ambulance, and state police arrived.
Nice people got me to UNC's E.R. and I received excellent care there. I asked the surgeons how they
got my thigh back together and apparently a med student shoved the muscle back down into my leg,
another doctor/resident pulled the skin together, and a third doctor winched the skin back together with
some very heavy gauge wire.
I have to talk to the State Police again tomorrow, but they generally don't seem interested at all. All he
has written on the report for the other person is "unknown," when in fact he had the mirror, color, and
probable make of the car (sand/brown colored 4 door American sedan . . . he thought, based on the
mirror, perhaps a Ford . . . I though Buick or Oldsmobile). I'm not sure he got in contact with any county
sheriff's departments or local police or did anything to try to move forward with the task of figuring out
who this hit-and-run ******* was. There's not much of a police report (yet) to turn into a news snippet.
MY POINT: I'm not sure. I can't be positive that this was done on purpose. I don't have many clues. My
thigh and ankle are pretty screwed, though not permanently. Probably 6-8 weeks before they come out
of their assorted braces/casts/etc. and I can start some physical therapy. I'm incredibly grateful for the
few inches that saved my leg and perhaps my life, especially with a wonderful wife and a baby due in 2+
months. I wonder if riding in pairs is always safer? Be careful out there, because there are whackos
who will not only yell at you and thrown *$#& out the window at you, but will actually try to end your
life.
MY QUESTION: Anybody have any good ideas about how to pursue this / who to contact? I know one
person who hired a private detective after a hit-and-run bike accident and actually found the person that
way.
Mmmmmm . . . Oxycodone . . .
Peace,
Drew
Humanity building project through United Church of Chapel Hill. I went through Chapel Hill and down
Smith Level to 15-501. I wouldn't normally ride on 15-501 at all, but I figured that south of Smith Level
Road at 8am on a Saturday it wouldn't be too bad. In fact, traffic wasn't bad and usually there was a bit
of a shoulder to ride on.
I was coming around a gentle curve . . . I think between Taylor Road and Andrews Store Rd (anyone
know if Andrews Store Rd. / 15-501 is where a big, newish Exxon station is?) . . . when the car coming
the other way gunned its engines, crossed over the yellow lines, and headed straight for me.
My thought for a second was, "Surely, this guy (I say guy generically, because I didn't notice anything
about the driver) is just trying to scare me and will swerve back. By the time I realized that no, he
wasn't, there wasn't a whole lot to do. His left wheels were already on the dirt and he was coming
straight at me. I was still thinking, "This isn't really happening," but I did start to swerve to the right to
try to get out of his way. 25mph + maybe 55mph didn't give me much time. I thought perhaps I was
going to make it.
The very left front corner of his car hit my left ankle, which was at the top part of the stroke. It
shredded everything over the top of that big round bone on the outside of my ankle and broke a little
bone in the side of my foot. They pulled plastic shards of the turn signal light housing out of my
ankle at the hospital. However many milliseconds later, probably simultaneously, my left thigh sheared
off the guy's driver side mirror AND the front of his car smashed through the back of my bike, ripping the
seat stays and chain stays off the down tube and tearing the wheel out of the frame.
I landed in the dirt, and before anything else, looked to see him skidding back onto the road, touching his
brakes a bit, and then heading off towards Chapel Hill. Then I looked down at my leg. My cycling shorts
were torn away and through a perhaps 8 or 10-inch gash in my thigh a big fist of thigh muscle was
bulging up into the air. My left shoe had been torn off and there was bloody grass underneath my ankle.
Though several cars did drive by, despite my frantic waving, two eventually did stop and the people in
them were very helpful. I grabbed my cell phone out of my backpack and called 911, where it took
several rounds of clarification before the operator understood that I had been on a bike ("Sir, are you still
in your car?"), was now not, and that I was looking at the inside of my leg. I didn't know very well how
to describe my location on 15-501, but eventually assorted fire, ambulance, and state police arrived.
Nice people got me to UNC's E.R. and I received excellent care there. I asked the surgeons how they
got my thigh back together and apparently a med student shoved the muscle back down into my leg,
another doctor/resident pulled the skin together, and a third doctor winched the skin back together with
some very heavy gauge wire.
I have to talk to the State Police again tomorrow, but they generally don't seem interested at all. All he
has written on the report for the other person is "unknown," when in fact he had the mirror, color, and
probable make of the car (sand/brown colored 4 door American sedan . . . he thought, based on the
mirror, perhaps a Ford . . . I though Buick or Oldsmobile). I'm not sure he got in contact with any county
sheriff's departments or local police or did anything to try to move forward with the task of figuring out
who this hit-and-run ******* was. There's not much of a police report (yet) to turn into a news snippet.
MY POINT: I'm not sure. I can't be positive that this was done on purpose. I don't have many clues. My
thigh and ankle are pretty screwed, though not permanently. Probably 6-8 weeks before they come out
of their assorted braces/casts/etc. and I can start some physical therapy. I'm incredibly grateful for the
few inches that saved my leg and perhaps my life, especially with a wonderful wife and a baby due in 2+
months. I wonder if riding in pairs is always safer? Be careful out there, because there are whackos
who will not only yell at you and thrown *$#& out the window at you, but will actually try to end your
life.
MY QUESTION: Anybody have any good ideas about how to pursue this / who to contact? I know one
person who hired a private detective after a hit-and-run bike accident and actually found the person that
way.
Mmmmmm . . . Oxycodone . . .
Peace,
Drew
Last edited by * jack *; 06-21-05 at 11:38 AM.
06-20-05 | 02:01 PM
#4
@#$% cars
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 405
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
Bikes: '02 Schwinn Frontier;'03 Fisher Tiburon; '04 Raleigh Companion; 04 Dahon SpeedPro; 69 Raleigh Sport fixed
Horrible. Just horrible. I'm glad he wasn't hurt worse and I hope he has a speedy and complete recovery.
This is much closer to being gunned down than having a traffic accident. I hope he gets some post-traumatic stress counselling!
This is much closer to being gunned down than having a traffic accident. I hope he gets some post-traumatic stress counselling!
06-20-05 | 02:23 PM
#5
Fritz M
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 959
Likes: 0
From: California
Bikes: Trek, Spesh, GT, Centurion
This doesn't help the hit cyclist any, but this was almost certainly a driver who fell asleep at the wheel or perhaps medically impaired. This is also a hit and run. The cyclist reported body damage to the vehicle, so perhaps a check of body shops in the area might prove fruitful. The apparent lack of concern from the police is absolutely appalling.
This is very similar to something that occurred on Memorial Day just north of Boulder. A 17-year-old returning home after a night of partying fell asleep at the wheel, crossed the centerline and hit cyclist Scott Kornfield. Scott was killed instantly. His coach, Nate Llerandi, was riding with him and gives his account of the collision at:
https://www.trigeekdreams.com/2005/05...u-to-bone.html
Scott was well-liked among cyclists in this area. About 500 cyclists showed up for an awareness/memorial ride in Scott's honor last week.
https://www.masoner.net/photos/bike/kornfield/
RFM
This is very similar to something that occurred on Memorial Day just north of Boulder. A 17-year-old returning home after a night of partying fell asleep at the wheel, crossed the centerline and hit cyclist Scott Kornfield. Scott was killed instantly. His coach, Nate Llerandi, was riding with him and gives his account of the collision at:
https://www.trigeekdreams.com/2005/05...u-to-bone.html
Scott was well-liked among cyclists in this area. About 500 cyclists showed up for an awareness/memorial ride in Scott's honor last week.
https://www.masoner.net/photos/bike/kornfield/
RFM
06-20-05 | 03:16 PM
#7
Calamari to go
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,113
Likes: 0
From: Falls Church, VA
Bikes: Trek 750
Play up the Habitat for Humnaity angle to the press.
Or get them to write about road rage.
Are the local politicians of any help. If he can get one to take up the cause, politicians can pressure the police better than anyone else.
Or talk to the insurance company and get them to pursue the driver for damages.
Or get them to write about road rage.
Are the local politicians of any help. If he can get one to take up the cause, politicians can pressure the police better than anyone else.
Or talk to the insurance company and get them to pursue the driver for damages.
06-21-05 | 11:08 AM
#8
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,514
Likes: 4
From: Durham, NC
Bikes: more, please.
Update: Press Releases:
Wreck highlights dangers of cycling: Durham man says a driver swerved toward him then fled after collision
(News & Observer, 21 June 2005)
Drew Cummings is used to being harassed by drivers while he's on his bicycle.
But after a hit-and-run accident nearly tore off his leg Saturday morning, he's more wary than ever of
drivers unwilling to share the road with cyclists.
Cummings was biking down U.S. 15-501 from his home in Durham to a Habitat for Humanity build in
Pittsboro about 8 a.m. when an oncoming driver crossed the double yellow line, gunned the engine and
headed straight for him, he said. The front left corner of the car hit his left ankle, then his left thigh hit
the car's side mirror, breaking it off.
The car skidded back into its lane and headed off, leaving Cummings on the side of the road, his ankle
shredded and his left thigh gashed open, the exposed muscle protruding "like a steak," he said.
"My first thought was that he was going to swerve away," Cummings said, "and my second thought was
that he wasn't."
Cummings called 911 on his cell phone and was taken to UNC Hospitals. He was released the next day
and will likely spend six to eight weeks in a brace and a cast.
Although he can't prove the driver acted intentionally, "unless they were totally dead drunk
they can't have not known they hit somebody," said Cummings, 32, who recently received his master's
degree in public policy from Duke University and has been working as a temporary code enforcement
officer for the town of Hillsborough.
The state Highway Patrol has determined that the car was a light-brown Buick and is waiting to identify
the exact model and year or possible years before it starts combing vehicle registrations and notifying
local body shops. If found, the driver will face felony hit-and-run charges, a spokesman said.
In the meantime, the local biking community has rallied around Cummings. Friends have volunteered to
cook dinner and are taking fliers to body shops, hoping a mechanic will notice the vehicle and report it.
According to the N.C. Department of Transportation, more than 1,000 bicyclists are involved in
police-reported collisions with motor vehicles each year. About 30 cyclists are killed and 160 more are
seriously injured.
In 2003 there were about 158 crashes in the Triangle area, 23 of which were hit-and-run, according to
the DOT.
Efforts to educate the public about bicycle safety and sharing the road are ongoing, said Alison Carpenter,
bike and pedestrian coordinator for the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization.
"Bikes are vehicles on the road and have the right to be on the road," she said. "Traffic laws need to be
abided by both bicyclists and motorists."
Cummings and his wife, Amy, who recently completed her master's in education at UNC-Chapel Hill, are
both avid cyclists. Although the Triangle area is considered relatively bike-friendly, the Cummingses
and their friends said drivers sometimes honk angrily at them, "buzz" by closely and occasionally even
throw things at them.
"People just get intensely selfish about their right to speed along a road," Cummings said.
Sean Lyman, a friend and medical student at UNC-CH, picked up the remains of Cummings' bike and
brought it by his apartment Monday. The sight of the bike, with its left pedal bent inside the frame and
the back nearly shorn off, brought tears to Amy Cummings' eyes.
****
Car hits bicyclist, leaves scene; details hazy
(Herald-Sun , 21 June 2005)
Drew Cummings isn't sure what happened. Did someone purposefully try to run him down as he was riding
his bicycle to Pittsboro? Or was someone just so careless that they accidentally hit him, then left the
scene of the accident in fear?
Whatever the cause, Cummings said Monday he's fortunate to be alive. The Durham resident and
Hillsborough town employee is recovering from two serious injuries to his leg -- missing skin and a
broken bone in his ankle and an 8- to 10-inch gash in his thigh -- where the car clipped him as he tried to
get out of its way.
Cummings, at 32, is about to become a father, which he said made the accident even scarier for him and
his wife.
On Saturday morning, the bicycling enthusiast was riding to Pittsboro to help with a Habitat for
Humanity building project. At 8 a.m., there wasn't much traffic on U.S. 15-501 just north of Fearrington
Village as he bicycled south on the two-lane road.
As he rounded a gentle curve in the road, he spotted a tan or brown car in the northbound lane coming
toward him.
"I just remember I noticed that this car was crossing the line and coming straight at me," Cummings said.
"He seemed to be gunning his engine."
Although Cummings refers to the driver as a "he," he acknowledges he's not sure that's accurate. He
didn't see the driver and doesn't know the gender, race or age of the person who hit him.
"My thought for a second was, 'Surely this guy is just trying to scare me and will swerve back,' "
Cummings wrote in an e-mail to other local bicycling enthusiasts. "By the time I realized that no, he
wasn't, there wasn't a whole lot to do. His left wheels were already on the dirt and he was coming
straight at me."
Cummings turned the wheel of his bicycle sharply to the right to try to get off the road, but it was too
late.
The front left corner of the car, he said, hit his left ankle, and shredded the skin from it. Then the
side-view mirror of the car ripped through his left thigh and he crashed to the ground, he recalled.
As Cummings looked up, he said he saw the car skidding back onto the road. It didn't stop. It just kept
going.
Cummings flagged down some cars, and then called 911 from a cell phone in his backpack. An ambulance
took him to UNC Hospitals, where he underwent surgery to close the deep wound in his thigh and repair his ankle.
N.C. Highway Patrol Trooper S.L. Bridges is investigating the accident. About the only clue he
has, besides a general description of the car, is the side-view mirror that was torn off the car when it hit
Cummings' leg. Bridges took the mirror and compared it to various cars until he saw that it looked like the
mirrors seen on Buicks.
He's contacted Buick and General Motors and is awaiting word from them to let him know what years,
makes and models of cars had that type of mirror. They've told him they'll get back to him in two days.
The color of the car could be described as tan or light brown, Bridges said.
Since he e-mailed the story of his wreck, Cummings said he's heard from many people who have told him
about being harassed, hit, yelled at and even shot as they rode their bicycles along local roads.
While it seemed as though the driver intentionally hit him, he doesn't know for sure, Cummings said.
"It could have been someone on a cell phone or dealing with a child, but I find it very unusual that on a
deserted road it came as straight at me as it did," he said.
Steve Goodridge, advocacy officer for the N.C. Bicycle Club, said the type of wreck Cummings was
involved in is unusual. Cars don't usually hit bicyclists going in the opposite direction, he said.
"In this particular case, this was a driver who crossed the center line," he said. "We don't know why.
We really have no idea."
Slightly more common would be for a car to hit a bicyclist it was passing going in the same direction,
Goodridge said. The most common car-bicycle accidents occur when a bicyclist is riding on a sidewalk and
gets hit by or hits a car that is turning onto the main roadway, he added.
Anyone who has information about the car that hit Cummings should call the N.C. Highway Patrol in Siler
City, which is the district patrol office for Chatham County, at (919) 742-2124. The car is a tan or light
brown Buick. The side-view mirror on the driver's side is missing, and there may be a broken patch of glass
on the left front headlight area.
(News & Observer, 21 June 2005)
Drew Cummings is used to being harassed by drivers while he's on his bicycle.
But after a hit-and-run accident nearly tore off his leg Saturday morning, he's more wary than ever of
drivers unwilling to share the road with cyclists.
Cummings was biking down U.S. 15-501 from his home in Durham to a Habitat for Humanity build in
Pittsboro about 8 a.m. when an oncoming driver crossed the double yellow line, gunned the engine and
headed straight for him, he said. The front left corner of the car hit his left ankle, then his left thigh hit
the car's side mirror, breaking it off.
The car skidded back into its lane and headed off, leaving Cummings on the side of the road, his ankle
shredded and his left thigh gashed open, the exposed muscle protruding "like a steak," he said.
"My first thought was that he was going to swerve away," Cummings said, "and my second thought was
that he wasn't."
Cummings called 911 on his cell phone and was taken to UNC Hospitals. He was released the next day
and will likely spend six to eight weeks in a brace and a cast.
Although he can't prove the driver acted intentionally, "unless they were totally dead drunk
they can't have not known they hit somebody," said Cummings, 32, who recently received his master's
degree in public policy from Duke University and has been working as a temporary code enforcement
officer for the town of Hillsborough.
The state Highway Patrol has determined that the car was a light-brown Buick and is waiting to identify
the exact model and year or possible years before it starts combing vehicle registrations and notifying
local body shops. If found, the driver will face felony hit-and-run charges, a spokesman said.
In the meantime, the local biking community has rallied around Cummings. Friends have volunteered to
cook dinner and are taking fliers to body shops, hoping a mechanic will notice the vehicle and report it.
According to the N.C. Department of Transportation, more than 1,000 bicyclists are involved in
police-reported collisions with motor vehicles each year. About 30 cyclists are killed and 160 more are
seriously injured.
In 2003 there were about 158 crashes in the Triangle area, 23 of which were hit-and-run, according to
the DOT.
Efforts to educate the public about bicycle safety and sharing the road are ongoing, said Alison Carpenter,
bike and pedestrian coordinator for the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization.
"Bikes are vehicles on the road and have the right to be on the road," she said. "Traffic laws need to be
abided by both bicyclists and motorists."
Cummings and his wife, Amy, who recently completed her master's in education at UNC-Chapel Hill, are
both avid cyclists. Although the Triangle area is considered relatively bike-friendly, the Cummingses
and their friends said drivers sometimes honk angrily at them, "buzz" by closely and occasionally even
throw things at them.
"People just get intensely selfish about their right to speed along a road," Cummings said.
Sean Lyman, a friend and medical student at UNC-CH, picked up the remains of Cummings' bike and
brought it by his apartment Monday. The sight of the bike, with its left pedal bent inside the frame and
the back nearly shorn off, brought tears to Amy Cummings' eyes.
****
Car hits bicyclist, leaves scene; details hazy
(Herald-Sun , 21 June 2005)
Drew Cummings isn't sure what happened. Did someone purposefully try to run him down as he was riding
his bicycle to Pittsboro? Or was someone just so careless that they accidentally hit him, then left the
scene of the accident in fear?
Whatever the cause, Cummings said Monday he's fortunate to be alive. The Durham resident and
Hillsborough town employee is recovering from two serious injuries to his leg -- missing skin and a
broken bone in his ankle and an 8- to 10-inch gash in his thigh -- where the car clipped him as he tried to
get out of its way.
Cummings, at 32, is about to become a father, which he said made the accident even scarier for him and
his wife.
On Saturday morning, the bicycling enthusiast was riding to Pittsboro to help with a Habitat for
Humanity building project. At 8 a.m., there wasn't much traffic on U.S. 15-501 just north of Fearrington
Village as he bicycled south on the two-lane road.
As he rounded a gentle curve in the road, he spotted a tan or brown car in the northbound lane coming
toward him.
"I just remember I noticed that this car was crossing the line and coming straight at me," Cummings said.
"He seemed to be gunning his engine."
Although Cummings refers to the driver as a "he," he acknowledges he's not sure that's accurate. He
didn't see the driver and doesn't know the gender, race or age of the person who hit him.
"My thought for a second was, 'Surely this guy is just trying to scare me and will swerve back,' "
Cummings wrote in an e-mail to other local bicycling enthusiasts. "By the time I realized that no, he
wasn't, there wasn't a whole lot to do. His left wheels were already on the dirt and he was coming
straight at me."
Cummings turned the wheel of his bicycle sharply to the right to try to get off the road, but it was too
late.
The front left corner of the car, he said, hit his left ankle, and shredded the skin from it. Then the
side-view mirror of the car ripped through his left thigh and he crashed to the ground, he recalled.
As Cummings looked up, he said he saw the car skidding back onto the road. It didn't stop. It just kept
going.
Cummings flagged down some cars, and then called 911 from a cell phone in his backpack. An ambulance
took him to UNC Hospitals, where he underwent surgery to close the deep wound in his thigh and repair his ankle.
N.C. Highway Patrol Trooper S.L. Bridges is investigating the accident. About the only clue he
has, besides a general description of the car, is the side-view mirror that was torn off the car when it hit
Cummings' leg. Bridges took the mirror and compared it to various cars until he saw that it looked like the
mirrors seen on Buicks.
He's contacted Buick and General Motors and is awaiting word from them to let him know what years,
makes and models of cars had that type of mirror. They've told him they'll get back to him in two days.
The color of the car could be described as tan or light brown, Bridges said.
Since he e-mailed the story of his wreck, Cummings said he's heard from many people who have told him
about being harassed, hit, yelled at and even shot as they rode their bicycles along local roads.
While it seemed as though the driver intentionally hit him, he doesn't know for sure, Cummings said.
"It could have been someone on a cell phone or dealing with a child, but I find it very unusual that on a
deserted road it came as straight at me as it did," he said.
Steve Goodridge, advocacy officer for the N.C. Bicycle Club, said the type of wreck Cummings was
involved in is unusual. Cars don't usually hit bicyclists going in the opposite direction, he said.
"In this particular case, this was a driver who crossed the center line," he said. "We don't know why.
We really have no idea."
Slightly more common would be for a car to hit a bicyclist it was passing going in the same direction,
Goodridge said. The most common car-bicycle accidents occur when a bicyclist is riding on a sidewalk and
gets hit by or hits a car that is turning onto the main roadway, he added.
Anyone who has information about the car that hit Cummings should call the N.C. Highway Patrol in Siler
City, which is the district patrol office for Chatham County, at (919) 742-2124. The car is a tan or light
brown Buick. The side-view mirror on the driver's side is missing, and there may be a broken patch of glass
on the left front headlight area.
Last edited by * jack *; 06-21-05 at 11:34 AM.
06-21-05 | 11:36 AM
#11
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,481
Likes: 3
From: Pennsylvania
Bikes: Too many to list!
Originally Posted by joeprim
Yes get a private investigator.
There is simply no way I would ever stop looking for this "driver". However, this type of research/work must be done ASAP if there is any chace of catching this sub-human. If anyone has an update to this story, please post.
06-21-05 | 12:44 PM
#12
Originally Posted by bac
Yup, a professional can use the recovered parts to trace down a make/model/year/color of auto, or @ least narrow down the population to a relatively small group of autos. Then, the investigator can begin his search. If there is enough evidence, this person can be tracked down - there is no question about it.
I agree, they can be tracked down. It's been done before.
https://www.courttv.com/onair/shows/f...sodes/214.html
__________________
Sick BubbleGum
Sick BubbleGum
06-22-05 | 01:32 AM
#13
.
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,092
Likes: 0
From: .
Bikes: .
You need one of the bike lawyers, may be mucho money in the case if negligence can be shown by the city in not jailing a known psycho driver, or if the driver of course has any assets those are up for grabs too. You need a real lawyer, once of those who specialize in bike cases would be best.
06-22-05 | 11:02 AM
#15
cyclist/gearhead/cycli...
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,166
Likes: 1
From: DC / Maryland suburbs
Bikes: Homebuilt tourer/commuter, modified-beyond-recognition 1990 Trek 1100, reasonably stock 2002-ish Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo
Originally Posted by bac
Yup, a professional can use the recovered parts to trace down a make/model/year/color of auto, or @ least narrow down the population to a relatively small group of autos. Then, the investigator can begin his search. If there is enough evidence, this person can be tracked down - there is no question about it.
There is simply no way I would ever stop looking for this "driver". However, this type of research/work must be done ASAP if there is any chace of catching this sub-human. If anyone has an update to this story, please post.
There is simply no way I would ever stop looking for this "driver". However, this type of research/work must be done ASAP if there is any chace of catching this sub-human. If anyone has an update to this story, please post.
Apparently the driver's side mirror broke off: if they have recovered it, that should be a huge help in locating the vehicle. Best of luck to all those investigating this case.
06-22-05 | 11:07 AM
#16
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,514
Likes: 4
From: Durham, NC
Bikes: more, please.
Originally Posted by brokenrobot
<snip> OP isn't the injured party, he's just reporting the incident! LOL 
we belong to. Locally, this has really agitated a lot of folks (obviously). Even if this crazed individual is not
apprehended, the ball is rolling as far as public awareness and advocacy is concerned. We are planning
some PA events right now. There was a story on TV news last night on one network, and more TV spots
are apparantly in the works. I'm just glad we're not planning a memorial service.
This is a snippet of his latest email:
To all cyclist, runners, and friendlies,
First of all, I want to issue an humongous thank you to the extended community which has reacted with such an immense showering of information, support, sympathy, you name it. Not only has it made us (Amy and me) feel better, but I think it puts this case on a different trajectory such that it is much more likely to be solved and/or much more likely to raise the level of awareness and acceptance of bicyclists in our driver-centric midst.
<snip>
I want to thank the various people who have worked to get the word out, who have offered money for a private investigator and/or a reward. We're still working to find a way that such things might or might not be coordinated, but in any case certainly appreciate the sentiments. I have received SO MANY stories of people involved in similar incidents – not that this was a great surprise – and I see that perhaps this IS a time to make a little hay out of such an outrageous event.
As for the various other events that are or may be planned to raise awareness about sharing roads – power to the people! Maybe I'll join you in one of those speedy wheelchairs!
I'm off the pain meds at this point and my nerves are telling me that things are going reasonably well under all this wrapping / bracing / splinting / etc. We'll see on Friday when I have a checkup.
Thank you again for all your kindnesses and for your remarkable energy in pursuing this case and issue. Please forward this to any of the groups you did before (if it doesn't appear that I've already sent it to them!). Sorry about any redundancies.
Peace,
Drew
First of all, I want to issue an humongous thank you to the extended community which has reacted with such an immense showering of information, support, sympathy, you name it. Not only has it made us (Amy and me) feel better, but I think it puts this case on a different trajectory such that it is much more likely to be solved and/or much more likely to raise the level of awareness and acceptance of bicyclists in our driver-centric midst.
<snip>
I want to thank the various people who have worked to get the word out, who have offered money for a private investigator and/or a reward. We're still working to find a way that such things might or might not be coordinated, but in any case certainly appreciate the sentiments. I have received SO MANY stories of people involved in similar incidents – not that this was a great surprise – and I see that perhaps this IS a time to make a little hay out of such an outrageous event.
As for the various other events that are or may be planned to raise awareness about sharing roads – power to the people! Maybe I'll join you in one of those speedy wheelchairs!
I'm off the pain meds at this point and my nerves are telling me that things are going reasonably well under all this wrapping / bracing / splinting / etc. We'll see on Friday when I have a checkup.
Thank you again for all your kindnesses and for your remarkable energy in pursuing this case and issue. Please forward this to any of the groups you did before (if it doesn't appear that I've already sent it to them!). Sorry about any redundancies.
Peace,
Drew
Last edited by * jack *; 06-22-05 at 11:14 AM.
06-22-05 | 11:24 AM
#17
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,664
Likes: 3
From: San Diego, CA
Bikes: See sig.
Wow. This is why I think the punishment for hit and run should be death. Or at least a long-ass term in federal pound-me-in-the-ass prison.
"I'm sorry officer, I lost control of my car and drove it home..." In fact, it's often better to run after hitting someone if you're drunk than to turn yourself in.
"I'm sorry officer, I lost control of my car and drove it home..." In fact, it's often better to run after hitting someone if you're drunk than to turn yourself in.
06-22-05 | 11:30 AM
#18
2-Cyl, 1/2 HP @ 90 RPM
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 15,762
Likes: 5
From: NYC
Bikes: 04' Specialized Hardrock Sport, 03' Giant OCR2 (SOLD!), 04' Litespeed Firenze, 04' Giant OCR Touring, 07' Specialized Langster Comp
Someone forward this to Lauren, I think she lives in chapel hill...
06-22-05 | 11:30 AM
#19
cyclist/gearhead/cycli...
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,166
Likes: 1
From: DC / Maryland suburbs
Bikes: Homebuilt tourer/commuter, modified-beyond-recognition 1990 Trek 1100, reasonably stock 2002-ish Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo
Originally Posted by * jack *
Yes, I'm just the messenger. Drew had asked the cycling community to forward this story to any groups
we belong to. Locally, this has really agitated a lot of folks (obviously). Even if this crazed individual is not
apprehended, the ball is rolling as far as public awareness and advocacy is concerned. We are planning
some PA events right now. There was a story on TV news last night on one network, and more TV spots
are apparantly in the works. I'm just glad we're not planning a memorial service.
This is a snippet of his latest email:
we belong to. Locally, this has really agitated a lot of folks (obviously). Even if this crazed individual is not
apprehended, the ball is rolling as far as public awareness and advocacy is concerned. We are planning
some PA events right now. There was a story on TV news last night on one network, and more TV spots
are apparantly in the works. I'm just glad we're not planning a memorial service.
This is a snippet of his latest email:
To all cyclist, runners, and friendlies,
First of all, I want to issue an humongous thank you to the extended community which has reacted with such an immense showering of information, support, sympathy, you name it. Not only has it made us (Amy and me) feel better, but I think it puts this case on a different trajectory such that it is much more likely to be solved and/or much more likely to raise the level of awareness and acceptance of bicyclists in our driver-centric midst.
<snip>
I want to thank the various people who have worked to get the word out, who have offered money for a private investigator and/or a reward. We're still working to find a way that such things might or might not be coordinated, but in any case certainly appreciate the sentiments. I have received SO MANY stories of people involved in similar incidents – not that this was a great surprise – and I see that perhaps this IS a time to make a little hay out of such an outrageous event.
As for the various other events that are or may be planned to raise awareness about sharing roads – power to the people! Maybe I'll join you in one of those speedy wheelchairs!
I'm off the pain meds at this point and my nerves are telling me that things are going reasonably well under all this wrapping / bracing / splinting / etc. We'll see on Friday when I have a checkup.
Thank you again for all your kindnesses and for your remarkable energy in pursuing this case and issue. Please forward this to any of the groups you did before (if it doesn't appear that I've already sent it to them!). Sorry about any redundancies.
Peace,
Drew
First of all, I want to issue an humongous thank you to the extended community which has reacted with such an immense showering of information, support, sympathy, you name it. Not only has it made us (Amy and me) feel better, but I think it puts this case on a different trajectory such that it is much more likely to be solved and/or much more likely to raise the level of awareness and acceptance of bicyclists in our driver-centric midst.
<snip>
I want to thank the various people who have worked to get the word out, who have offered money for a private investigator and/or a reward. We're still working to find a way that such things might or might not be coordinated, but in any case certainly appreciate the sentiments. I have received SO MANY stories of people involved in similar incidents – not that this was a great surprise – and I see that perhaps this IS a time to make a little hay out of such an outrageous event.
As for the various other events that are or may be planned to raise awareness about sharing roads – power to the people! Maybe I'll join you in one of those speedy wheelchairs!
I'm off the pain meds at this point and my nerves are telling me that things are going reasonably well under all this wrapping / bracing / splinting / etc. We'll see on Friday when I have a checkup.
Thank you again for all your kindnesses and for your remarkable energy in pursuing this case and issue. Please forward this to any of the groups you did before (if it doesn't appear that I've already sent it to them!). Sorry about any redundancies.
Peace,
Drew
From your forwarded emails, it seems like his attitude has been REALLY classy and upbeat. If any good comes from this (e.g. increased awareness of cyclists, more concern by police), I think it will be largely thanks to his great outlook on the situation.
06-23-05 | 02:41 PM
#20
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,514
Likes: 4
From: Durham, NC
Bikes: more, please.
Originally Posted by moxfyre
Does Drew Cummings have any kind of blog or website set up? Anything we can donate money to? <snip>
A local fund has been established to help raise money for Drew Cummings,
the cyclist injured last Sunday in a hit-and-run incident in Chatham
County. Funds will be used to hire a private investigator or offer a
reward to anyone who can help identify the driver of a tan Buick that
hit Drew.
the cyclist injured last Sunday in a hit-and-run incident in Chatham
County. Funds will be used to hire a private investigator or offer a
reward to anyone who can help identify the driver of a tan Buick that
hit Drew.
For more information, visit
https://www.active.com/donations/camp...ey=riders4drew
Last edited by * jack *; 06-23-05 at 02:49 PM.
