Update on bike commuter David Spangler

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John Cock

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Mar 24, 2015, 8:18:29 AM3/24/15
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See below...

John Cock
Alta Planning + Design
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From: Kelley Cock <kelle...@yahoo.com>
Date: March 23, 2015 at 9:37:51 PM EDT
To: John Cock <john...@altaplanning.com>

Jonathan Harding

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Mar 24, 2015, 1:46:13 PM3/24/15
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Glad that David is doing better, and I think this news piece sends a good message to the general public and puts a human face on people who use bikes for transportation and to commute.  David went through a hugely traumatic event and the strength he and his family have shown is amazing.  I wish I him dwell.  

Interesting that David always uses both forward and rear facing cameras that were used to make the arrest.  I've always been reluctant to accept that I need to have an always on cam to protect myself from hit and run.  However, if more drivers thought that most cyclists had cameras, it might make them drive more safely or stop during an accident.  I'm wondering what others think about this ?  

Jon Harding


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Mark Ortiz

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Mar 25, 2015, 12:39:21 AM3/25/15
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I don’t have a camera myself but I’ve thought about getting one.  Or two.

 

Would motorist behavior improve if use of cameras by cyclists increased and was better known?  Very likely it would.

 

The TV story only says Rivera was apprehended due to a “tip”.  Nothing about cameras on the bike.  Is this based on conversation with David or knowledge of his equipment, Jon?

 

I want to see what David’s camera caught.  So far, I’ve seen a still shot of the minivan from an intersection surveillance camera, and TV footage of David in his turtle brace in the hospital saying what Rivera did in hitting him “could have happened to anyone” – as if this “happened to” Rivera.  Maybe the circumstances make that reasonable, but I’d want to know why that is.

 

The offense here is colloquially called “hit and run” but the law treats the “hit” as unintentional and only prohibits leaving the scene.  That is a misdemeanor unless the crash involves serious injury or death, as in this case.  Then it’s a felony, but the mildest kind.

 

But I say that when a person flees, and then lies, and does so in a context where a small minority of people do deliberately use their cars as weapons against cyclists, that reasonably raises questions of intent.  I want to know what about this collision makes it open-and-shut unintentional, to the victim’s satisfaction.

 

 

Mark Ortiz



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David Spranger

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Mar 25, 2015, 7:13:30 AM3/25/15
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Mark, 

I don't agree with your assessment that I consider it open and shut as and I am okay with then "unintentional" In fact, just the opposite is true. It is these type of "unintentional" hits that are a big issue. However, what I am is very forgiving of wrong doing. I do believe too many folks go through life just assuming they will not be punished for their misdeeds. This misdeed does deserve proper punishment whether or not he had come forward. The difference is that I certainly have it in my heart to forgive him personally for the injuries he has caused me if only he had stopped to help and not run off like a coward. He still would have been punished by the law and whatever higher power he chooses to believe in.

MY cameras were confiscated by the police. I have been told that they show that the vehicle was untagged and that the photos/video did lead police to finding and charging the suspect. If I get them back intact, I will certainly share what is in their contents.

David
CMC hospital room 6404

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Jonathan Harding

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Mark Ortiz

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Mar 25, 2015, 5:32:49 PM3/25/15
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Thank you for the clarification, David.  I was just going by what I saw on the TV clip.

 

I’m also betting they have you on some pain meds – they better!  I’ll cut anybody some slack on their communications under those circumstances, having been there myself.  Last time I was on morphine, I had a conversation with my surgeon in which I was apparently entirely lucid, but afterwards I didn’t remember most of what he told me.  I know this because my brother was there too, and remembered all the stuff I forgot.

 

I got rammed in the butt by a hit-and-run motorist in November 2007, and was hurt worse than you.  I know what a turtle brace is because I wore one myself for two months.  I lost an inch and a half of height.  My left leg and foot are partially paralyzed.

 

There were no witnesses.  The bastard who hit me got away with it.

 

Like you, I was determined to get back on the bike, and I did.  It took a year and a half, until May of 2009.  But I’ve done 57,000 miles since.  So you can do it.

 

I seriously doubt that my case was an accident.  I have a memory of a vehicle following me slowly for a block or two before the impact, as if making sure of my identity before striking.  I am, however, somewhat uncertain of this as it is my last memory before being knocked unconscious.  I am politically outspoken, and had run for Congress in the two preceding elections.  I was on my way home from an SDS meeting when I was hit.  I was the group’s advisor.  So there are reasons I could have been the target of a deliberate act, beyond mere hatred of cyclists.

 

Who’s your surgeon?  If you have Dr. Patt, tell him I said hi.

 

 

Mark Ortiz

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Jonathan Harding

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David Spranger

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Mar 27, 2015, 4:48:48 AM3/27/15
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Thank you Mark,

Yes, I am sure that I have been under the influence of some strong drugs over the past week. I did receive a head injury that required an operation to relieve pressure on my brain. I am very happy to hear that you had a full recover from similar injuries. It does give me much hope!

Being involved in a disabling auto crash gives you so much appreciation for all the family and friends in your life. If it was not for the pain and injury, I would highly recommend it to all! I have been permanently touched, in a good way, by all the wonderful support and well-wishes of all my virtual bicycling friends. You have no idea how much your outpouring has helped me in the last few days. Though I am down, I am not out by a long shot and that is mostly due to the moral support that I have been getting over the past week from folks like you all!

David
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