Victim Impact Statements Needed for Matthew O'Neill - ASAP
Stacy Kline
The preliminary hearing for the motorist who killed Matthew was held this past Friday. The case is in Juvenile Court which has different procedures than an adult criminal proceeding. On their way home to San Diego after the hearing, I spoke with Matthew’s parents about the case, and they mentioned that the court is now accepting Victim Impact Statements.
At this stage in the case, the Probation Department is charged with recommending formal or informal probation. The family and friends of Matthew feel that it is important that the defendant be given formal probation. For a charge of this magnitude, vehicular manslaughter, formal probation is the only option that will help bring closure to the family and friends of Matthew O’Neill. While informal probation is akin to a “slap on the wrist” and may simply give a message that says “don’t do it again,” formal probation is a structured program requiring regular contact with a probation officer and monitored activities such as community service which could include speaking to other young people about the serious consequences of poor judgement while driving. Without formal probation, it may be difficult to get the defendant arraigned (formally charged).
The O’Neill family strongly believes that Matthew’s death must have meaning beyond the loss of a beloved son, brother, fiancé, and friend. A ruling of delinquency in this case will send the message that killing a bicyclist carries a serious consequence. A ruling of delinquency in this case will set a precedent that more serious charges are warranted when a cyclist is killed due to the fault of a motorist. A ruling of delinquency in this case can serve as a deterrent to motorists who will think then think about the consequences of their actions before they pass a cyclist on the road.
To help the O’Neill family, it is important that the probation department receive as many Victim Impact Statements as possible, and as soon as possible, describing the impact Matthew O’Neill had on the lives of others. Letters are needed that describe Matthew’s cycling passion, concern for the success of other cyclists, contributions to the randonneuring community, continued quest for knowledge, love of lifelong learning, advocacy for those who could not advocate for themselves, and, above all, Matthew’s commitment to live life in the service of others.
Please email your letters to Terri Zuniga, the supervisor of the Victim Witness Program. Terri will deliver the emails to the probation department on Matthew’s behalf. Please bcc (blind carbon copy) Mike O’Neill mike2193 (at) cox.net and Stacy Kline stacykline (at) gmail.com if you don’t mind sharing them with us.
Terri Zuniga
Victim Witness Program Supervisor
tzuniga (at) co.santa-barbara.ca.us
This is the first step in changing the narrative about what it means to be a motorist. Real enforcement and meaningful penalties can make a real difference in making the roads safer for all road users, especially the most vulnerable, reflecting the essence of Matthew’s life work.
Stacy Kline
It is with such a heavy heart that I write you this letter, for it pertains to the death of my dear friend, Dr. Matthew O'Neill. It is customary for someone so close to the completion of his PhD. to be afforded the courtesy of being addressed as doctor, and that is how I would like to see him addressed.
I accompanied Matthew on most of that beautiful, fateful ride beginning on August 7. My husband Greg and I shared a rental car with Matthew, and piled our bikes and belongings in with Matthew's after picking him up in Santa Barbara on our way to San Jose. We took him to our very dear friends, Kimber and John Guzik (our "rando besties" I told Matthew), who opened their home to us the day before our big ride. Matthew was instantly loved by the Guzik's children for he and my husband Greg are "child whisperers" due to their gentleness and ability to make others feel at ease.
For the next three nights, my husband Greg and I shared a room with Matthew, riding together almost the entire first two days, through tough climbs and strong winds, Matthew and I struggling, yet enjoying every minute of the exquisite scenery, relishing IHOP pancakes at 1 in the morning before crashing in the motel for a luxurious rest. Matthew and I separated on the third day, we had different rest cycles, but I tried very hard to catch him, only to realize that I passed him on our big climb, allowing me one final photograph with my dear friend, and a final goodbye at the top of the pass. I was going to catch him one more time that evening, but not in the way I had hoped.
When a kind bystander warned us about the terrible crash many miles up the road, I had an incredible dread, for I knew I was close to catching up with him again. When the officer told me the type of bike it was that lay in the dirt, my worst fears were confirmed. I wept by his body, hidden under the plastic tarp, shattered by such a terrible loss, crying "Not Matthew, please God, not Matthew."
Please know that Matthew was always there for a fellow human being when needed, and others, in turn, felt compelled to be there for others. Matthew brought out the best in people, encouraging others to be successful in whatever endeavor they attempted.
Please do not let Matthew's death pass unnoticed. Please give Matthew's death meaning for the greater good.
Sincerely yours,
Stacy Kline, MA, NBCT
Attached is what I shared at Matthew's Celebration of Life.
Dr. Matthew O'Neill
Randonneur, Special Needs Advocate, Friend
Change Lanes to Pass a Bicyclist
by Stacy Kline
Matthew O'Neill was one of the kindest, most supportive, most knowledgeable randonneurs I have ever met. He would ride with you through tough times, guide you through a tricky route, feed you peach gummy rings when you were bonking, and keep you upright on your bike when you were falling asleep on a late night ride. He hosted many a brevet, owned or cared for a multitude of routes, and was known to offer the most attentive and comprehensive support on extremely challenging rides.
Matthew was the soul of our close-knit PCH Randonneurs group. “Randonneuring is long-distance, unsupported endurance cycling. This style of riding is non-competitive in nature, and self-sufficiency is paramount.” Wikipedia Randonneuring is best described as voyaging on a bike, much like an ocean crossing is to a sailor. It is at once audacious yet entirely within reach. It helps to have supportive friends to ride with, and that is where Matthew entered our lives. Matthew was on that very first brevet with us and he not only made it feel that possible to ride 125 miles, he made it seem like fun, too.
Matthew was riding the California Central Coast Randonnée, and was our riding partner and roommate on this exquisite ride. As he rode, he continually kept his sweetheart Jen updated with texts. He told us all about their plans to get married and buy a home when he received his Ph.D next June. His next big challenge was to be the Perth-Albany-Perth 1200K which he was to ride with his friend Jun Sato of Japan; I've never seen him more excited about a big ride. On the third day of this beautiful ride, I had the utter horror to roll up to the death of one of my dearest friends in the company of fellow randos. Greg and I met met Matthew on our first brevet, and most devastatingly we were with him on his last.
The CHP officers at the scene told us it was an accident since it was not hit and run or drunk driving. I explained to them that we were riding legally and visibly on the road, and in spite of this, we were often passed far too closely. If we can teach all drivers to change lanes completely when they pass, really make a campaign out of this, Matthew will not have died in vain. We need to stop close passes and the "I didn't see him" mindset. Regardless of the situation, when we motorists change lanes to pass, we cyclists are safer.
Matthew was an Eagle Scout with a focus on caring for the preschool at his family church.
Matthew was an attorney who specialized in advocating for the rights of special needs children.
Matthew was studying for his PhD in Special Education, Disabilities, and Risk Studies.
Matthew was a beloved son, grandson, brother, nephew, cousin and friend.