tunavic

It's really sad how often this happens:

https://blog.pe.com/crime/2013/12/30/...lizes-cyclist/

https://www.riversidesheriff.org/press/cab13-1229.asp

calamarichris

Thankfully at least the cyclist survived and there were witnesses this time. Hopefully they'll catch the driver before his or her BAC comes back down.
As far as I'm concerned, anyone who flees the scene of an accident did so because they needed time to sober up before turning themselves in.

TrojanHorse

I swear I need to get one of those dumb looking square cameras to mount on my bike... I was riding home yesterday on some tiny little side street that's a "bike route" and got buzzed badly by some jerkoff in a Acura TSX doing probably 50 in a 30. Nobody else on the road, thanks a$$hat.

So that guy drifted across the road and hit a cyclist presumably riding pretty far right? I hope they find him and staple his worthless hide to the city walls. I got hit by a car when I was younger and he was completely wrong and I was completely right but he stopped, got out to help me, called an ambulance and waited for the cops and I have a hard time holding a grudge against somebody with that kind of character... and that was in Singapore where they freaking GET YOU for traffic infractions.

OK, done venting... these things make me sad.

Vic - your bike list is totally out of date, update that thing.

furiousferret

I never feel comfortable on that road, its always given me the willies.

The cyclist flatlined at some point last night but was revived, so there's that. I don't know the guy (probably rode with him at some point) but follow his team on Facebook. Hopefully he'll be okay.

PlacentiaJim

Hi Vic, Gosh, I was just out that way on saturday. Thanks for the heads up. Long time no see. Hope everything is well with you. There is a ride scheduled for GMR this coming wednesday. Any chance you might make this? See ya. Jim

tunavic

@PlacentiaJim - Long time no see indeed! Happy new year and indeed all is well. I hope all is well with you too. I worked today so no riding for me

Apparently the cyclist is well known around the Redlands/Yucaipa area. His name is Phil Richards (the family consented to his name being released). He's at Riverside Regional but I do not know any info on his current condition. Prayers for his recovery.

@TrojanHorse - Back in 2011 I read about this: https://www.cerevellum.com/hindsight.aspx I thought it was a great idea (recording behind you in a continuous 5 minute loop. If the bike goes down, it stops recording automatically and the prior 5 minutes are preserved). I don't think it ever got any traction but hopefully someone like Garmin will see a market for a product like this.

My bike list is updated

TrojanHorse

I saw that too but it's terribly expensive for what it is. There's a similar black box type recording thing being developed by somebody right here on BF (I think) called rideye. No live rearward display but it seems pretty focused on evidence collecting (and can store up to 10 hours of video!)

What's going on with your bike collection, you seem to have pre-added another one.

PlacentiaJim

Hi Vic, Happy New Year to you as well. Have you spoken or ridin' with Jimmy? Prayers to Phil in his recovery. See ya

tunavic

@PlacentiaJim Lately I've been riding quite a bit with RWBTC (Redlands Water Bottle Co). Lots of fun and camaraderie and a breakfast ride every Sunday Join us one of these days (rwbtc.org). Jimmy is in O.C. The only time I met him and rode with him was at the Left Turn Tour. He sure made that ride fun!

Re: Phil Richards, here's the latest (taken from a friend of his Facebook page) as of about an hour ago:

Phil is in surgery now. We hope to hear good news from the doctors soon.

Riverside County Sheriff's officers set up a traffic stop today at the site of Phil's hit-and-run accident that occurred last Sunday. They questioned drivers and asked for help in finding the car and driver. They plan to sent out an updated press release and seek additional media coverage asking for the community's help. Thank you, officers!

tunavic

Further update:

An arrest has been made.

furiousferret

calamarichris

Hopefully they got the right perp and he or she gets a few years of penitence.

CbadRider

I'm glad they've made an arrest. The penalties for hit-and-run need to be brought up to par with DUI so drivers like this don't get let off with a slap on the wrist.

Jed19

Yup!

It is obvious that the hit-and-run perps are drunks who had to sober up before turning themselves in. The Legislature in Sacramento should get a clue!

tunavic

I hope they've got the right perpetrator and the evidence to convict.

Here's a link to the Riverside County Sheriffs Dept press release: https://www.riversidesheriff.org/press/cab13-1229.asp

A big thank you to the Riverside County Sheriff Dept. for all they did.


Since this happened close to me, I took an interest in following the case. Mr. Richards suffered severe injuries from the collision and is still in ICU. I hope the perpetrator gets a very long jail sentence.

furiousferret

I'm jaded when it comes to punishments like this. There are just too many people who walk when they kill or injure cyclists. The problem is a motorist is tried by a jury of motorists (some who don't like cyclists). There is also the benefit of making up a story and catering to the bias of the jury, who all drove a car to the trial.

CbadRider

In this case the driver is clearly at fault since he crossed the center divide and hit the cyclist head on. I don't know how you could make up a story to cover that.

furiousferret

Its happened before

https://www.pe.com/local-news/san-ber...-jail-time.ece

TrojanHorse

I guess it's true - they only catch the stupid criminals. Some policeman accidentally driving by saw the car? That clown couldn't buy a cover for his car in the intervening week?

Keep the updates coming Tuna!

tunavic

Booking photo of William Donald Johnson, 42, of Calimesa, released Jan. 7, 2014.

A man was arrested Monday on suspicion of felony hit-and-run causing serious/permanent injury in connection with a Dec. 29 crash that put a bicyclist in critical condition, a sheriff's sergeant said.

William Donald Johnson, 42, of Calimesa, was arrested at 3:30 p.m. Jan. 6, according to inmate records. He was booked Monday evening at Smith Correctional. He was released Tuesday on $25,000 bail and he has a court date March 4 in Banning.

The crash was reported about 12:25 p.m. Sunday Dec, 29 near the intersection of Calimesa Boulevard and Singleton Road, Sgt. John Reinbolz of the Cabazon Station said in a statement.

Deputies found a male bicyclist injured and lying on Calimesa just north of Singleton, Reinbolz said.

"The vehicle involved did not stop and left the scene," Reinbolz said.

"According to witnesses, the bicyclist was traveling southbound and the vehicle was traveling northbound, both on Calimesa," Reinbolz said. "For unknown reasons the vehicle crossed the center divider and drove head on into the bicyclist's path of travel."

The vehicle struck the bicycle and was seen leaving with damage to the front headlight and front left side of the vehicle, Reinbolz said.

The vehicle was described as "a light green or light blue compact four door vehicle driven by an elderly White or Hispanic male with white hair," Reinbolz said.

The bicyclist was listed in critical condition the next day at Riverside County Regional Medical Center, a family friend told Patch in a phone interview.

Phil Richards is a resident of Banning area and he is in his 50s, Melanie Tressler of Yucaipa said Dec. 30. Tressler said she's been friends with Richards' wife, Annette, for 27 years.

"He's already had a coupe of surgeries," Tressler said of Richards. "He will require more. Things are not looking good for him right now. All the prayers and support we can get are greatly appreciated."

About noon Monday Jan. 6, a deputy spotted a vehicle parked in the driveway of a residence in the 1200 block of Cherry Lane, Reinbolz said.

"The vehicle, a green 2005 Ford Five Hundred, matched the description of the suspect vehicle and had damage consistent with damage expected from the evidence left at the scene," Reinbolz said. "The vehicle was towed to the Cabazon Station and processed for additional evidence."

The suspect, identified as Johnson was contacted at his residence, Reinbolz said.

"During the course of the investigation, it was determined that Johnson was involved in the hit and run accident," Reinbolz said.

The victim remained hospitalized in critical condition, Reinbolz said Jan. 6.

https://banning-beaumont.patch.com/gr...ically-injured

calamarichris

Stories like this make me yearn for a killer comet, Ebola outbreak, or nuclear exchange. That there are such people in our midst, and that they can be let off is just sickening. I'll bet both dodgamned kids are back to driving their race cars like fools already.

tunavic

An update on Phil Richards taken from a friend of his facebook page.

Update on Phil: It's been a real roller coaster during the past few days. Phil had successful surgery on his abdomen, but the head trauma he suffered in the accident caused diffuse axonal injury to his brain. He remains in a coma in the ICU. Annette asks that I share her thanks to the many friends who have been offering support asks that you "pray for a miracle."

A link to a donation page: https://www.gofundme.com/65yxvg

furiousferret

He passed away last night. Rest in Peace.

tunavic

Rest in peace Phil.