Motorist Smiling After Killing Bicyclist - For Real
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Bob Krzewinski
Dec 4, 2010, 11:54:36 AM12/4/10
to wb...@googlegroups.com, Bike Ypsi group, aabts...@googlegroups.com
Recently an indigent bicyclist was killed while riding on a road shoulder in Sterling Heights by a motorist who "dropped something and was looking for it". At the 1:45 portion of this TV coverage (http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/news/local/man-riding-bike-in-sterling-heights-killed-in-accident-20101201-wpms) the person who killed this cyclist is smiling. Prior to killing this bicyclist, at 20 years old she has twelve points on her driving record for two alcohol violations, two speeding tickets and a car accident.
Both the Fox TV coverage, and Free Press (http://www.freep.com/article/20101202/NEWS04/101202035/1001/NEWS/Driver-looks-away-kills-Sterling-Hgts.-bicyclist) has comments of "why wasn't the bicyclist riding on the adjacent sidewalk". Specifically, the local Prosecutor in Sterling Height already seems to be sowing the seeds of having this clasifed as a unfortunate accident when he stated
"A bicycle can ride on the roadway and they do have all the rights a car would have,” he said. “Unfortunately, he wasn’t on the roadway, he was on a gravel shoulder. And even more unfortunate, there was a brand new sidewalk just installed about 15 feet from where he was riding".
There is also a Facebook page related to this killing at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Prosecute-Julia-Werth/181328188549623?ref=ts#!/pages/Prosecute-Julia-Werth/181328188549623?v=wall.
Bob Krzewinski
CycloChemist
Dec 4, 2010, 12:24:54 PM12/4/10
to Washtenaw Bicycling and Walking Coalition
Whatever the reporter might have said, it should be clear to the
Sterling Hts DA that the bicyclist was not negligent in his lane
position. Watching the video, I didn't get the impression that the
motorist was happy to committed some level of manslaughter; I thought
it was just an embarrassed smile. Finally, I hope the DA is able to
get this lady off the roads as a motorist; she's a menace!
On Dec 4, 9:54 am, Bob Krzewinski <wolver...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Recently an indigent bicyclist was killed while riding on a road shoulder in
> Sterling Heights by a motorist who "dropped something and was looking for
> it". At the 1:45 portion of this TV coverage (http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/news/local/man-riding-bike-in-sterlin...)
>
> There is also a Facebook page related to this killing athttp://www.facebook.com/pages/Prosecute-Julia-Werth/181328188549623?r...
> .
>
> Bob Krzewinski
Sterling Hts DA that the bicyclist was not negligent in his lane
position. Watching the video, I didn't get the impression that the
motorist was happy to committed some level of manslaughter; I thought
it was just an embarrassed smile. Finally, I hope the DA is able to
get this lady off the roads as a motorist; she's a menace!
On Dec 4, 9:54 am, Bob Krzewinski <wolver...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Recently an indigent bicyclist was killed while riding on a road shoulder in
> Sterling Heights by a motorist who "dropped something and was looking for
> the person who killed this cyclist is smiling. Prior to killing this
> bicyclist, at 20 years old she has twelve points on her driving record for
> two alcohol violations, two speeding tickets and a car accident.
>
> Both the Fox TV coverage, and Free Press (http://www.freep.com/article/20101202/NEWS04/101202035/1001/NEWS/Driv...)
> bicyclist, at 20 years old she has twelve points on her driving record for
> two alcohol violations, two speeding tickets and a car accident.
>
> has comments of "why wasn't the bicyclist riding on the adjacent sidewalk".
> Specifically, the local Prosecutor in Sterling Height already seems to be
> sowing the seeds of having this clasifed as a unfortunate accident when he
> stated
> *"A bicycle can ride on the roadway and they do have all the rights a car
> Specifically, the local Prosecutor in Sterling Height already seems to be
> sowing the seeds of having this clasifed as a unfortunate accident when he
> stated
> would have,” he said. “Unfortunately, he wasn’t on the roadway, he was on a
> gravel shoulder. And even more unfortunate, there was a brand new sidewalk
> just installed about 15 feet from where he was riding". *
> gravel shoulder. And even more unfortunate, there was a brand new sidewalk
>
> There is also a Facebook page related to this killing athttp://www.facebook.com/pages/Prosecute-Julia-Werth/181328188549623?r...
> .
>
> Bob Krzewinski
Phillip Farber
Dec 5, 2010, 11:42:22 AM12/5/10
to wb...@googlegroups.com, Bob Krzewinski, Bike Ypsi group, aabts...@googlegroups.com
FWIW, I didn't see a even one post in the article comment
section defending the driver.� That's a pretty refreshing change
from the crap that was posted on AnnArbor.com after Tim P.'s
killing on Wagner road.
Phil
On 12/4/10 11:54 AM, Bob Krzewinski wrote:
Phil
On 12/4/10 11:54 AM, Bob Krzewinski wrote:
Recently an indigent bicyclist was killed while riding on a road shoulder in Sterling Heights by a motorist who "dropped something and was looking for it". At the 1:45 portion of this TV coverage (http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/news/local/man-riding-bike-in-sterling-heights-killed-in-accident-20101201-wpms) the person who killed this cyclist is smiling.�Prior to killing this bicyclist, at 20 years old she�has twelve points on her driving record for two alcohol violations, two speeding tickets and a car accident.�Both the Fox TV coverage, and Free Press (http://www.freep.com/article/20101202/NEWS04/101202035/1001/NEWS/Driver-looks-away-kills-Sterling-Hgts.-bicyclist) has comments of "why wasn't the bicyclist riding on the adjacent sidewalk". Specifically, the�local Prosecutor in Sterling Height already seems to be sowing the seeds of having this clasifed as a unfortunate accident when he stated"A bicycle can ride on the roadway and they do have all the rights a car would have,� he said. �Unfortunately, he wasn�t on the roadway, he was on a gravel shoulder. And even more unfortunate, there was a brand new sidewalk just installed about 15 feet from where he was riding".�
There is also a Facebook page related to this killing at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Prosecute-Julia-Werth/181328188549623?ref=ts#!/pages/Prosecute-Julia-Werth/181328188549623?v=wall.
�Bob Krzewinski
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John Lindenmayer
Dec 5, 2010, 12:59:47 PM12/5/10
to wb...@googlegroups.com
Wondering
if Facebook took down the "Prosecute Julia Werth" Page? The page now
appears to redirect back to one's personal wall now.
John - LMB
On Sun, Dec 5, 2010 at 11:42 AM, Phillip Farber <pfa...@umich.edu> wrote:
FWIW, I didn't see a even one post in the article comment section defending the driver. That's a pretty refreshing change from the crap that was posted on AnnArbor.com after Tim P.'s killing on Wagner road.
Phil
On 12/4/10 11:54 AM, Bob Krzewinski wrote:
Recently an indigent bicyclist was killed while riding on a road shoulder in Sterling Heights by a motorist who "dropped something and was looking for it". At the 1:45 portion of this TV coverage (http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/news/local/man-riding-bike-in-sterling-heights-killed-in-accident-20101201-wpms) the person who killed this cyclist is smiling. Prior to killing this bicyclist, at 20 years old she has twelve points on her driving record for two alcohol violations, two speeding tickets and a car accident.Both the Fox TV coverage, and Free Press (http://www.freep.com/article/20101202/NEWS04/101202035/1001/NEWS/Driver-looks-away-kills-Sterling-Hgts.-bicyclist) has comments of "why wasn't the bicyclist riding on the adjacent sidewalk". Specifically, the local Prosecutor in Sterling Height already seems to be sowing the seeds of having this clasifed as a unfortunate accident when he stated
"A bicycle can ride on the roadway and they do have all the rights a car would have,” he said. “Unfortunately, he wasn’t on the roadway, he was on a gravel shoulder. And even more unfortunate, there was a brand new sidewalk just installed about 15 feet from where he was riding".
There is also a Facebook page related to this killing at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Prosecute-Julia-Werth/181328188549623?ref=ts#!/pages/Prosecute-Julia-Werth/181328188549623?v=wall.
Bob Krzewinski
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Vinewood95
Dec 5, 2010, 3:57:32 PM12/5/10
to Washtenaw Bicycling and Walking Coalition
Thanks Bob, for this heads up.
My view has long been that the priority concern in such cases is the
"attitude" of the police and prosecutors (and judges). If a motorist
kills a pedestrian or cyclist "accidentally," the penalties too often
turn out to be negligible. If on the other hand, someone is killed
accidentally by a firearm: the police, prosecutors and judges act as
if the guilty party is a terrorist bent on destroying America. This
"disconnect" is nothing but careless (incompetent) emotionalism.
Killing another person accidentally is the same (morally, legally and
financially) whatever the "instrument" involved may be. Driving a
motor vehicle must be treated with the same gravity as using a firearm
for non-criminal purposes.
So it's these lame-brained prosecutors which should be held to
account. These people are public officials and they deserve a good
amount of shaking up over this issue.
It should be of interest to all of us how this case in Sterling Hts.
turns out. I hope there will be attention paid and actions taken if
necessary.
On Dec 4, 11:54 am, Bob Krzewinski <wolver...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Recently an indigent bicyclist was killed while riding on a road shoulder in
> Sterling Heights by a motorist who "dropped something and was looking for
> it".
> stated
> *"A bicycle can ride on the roadway and they do have all the rights a car
>
.
> .
>
> Bob Krzewinski
My view has long been that the priority concern in such cases is the
"attitude" of the police and prosecutors (and judges). If a motorist
kills a pedestrian or cyclist "accidentally," the penalties too often
turn out to be negligible. If on the other hand, someone is killed
accidentally by a firearm: the police, prosecutors and judges act as
if the guilty party is a terrorist bent on destroying America. This
"disconnect" is nothing but careless (incompetent) emotionalism.
Killing another person accidentally is the same (morally, legally and
financially) whatever the "instrument" involved may be. Driving a
motor vehicle must be treated with the same gravity as using a firearm
for non-criminal purposes.
So it's these lame-brained prosecutors which should be held to
account. These people are public officials and they deserve a good
amount of shaking up over this issue.
It should be of interest to all of us how this case in Sterling Hts.
turns out. I hope there will be attention paid and actions taken if
necessary.
On Dec 4, 11:54 am, Bob Krzewinski <wolver...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Recently an indigent bicyclist was killed while riding on a road shoulder in
> Sterling Heights by a motorist who "dropped something and was looking for
> it".
> the person who killed this cyclist is smiling. Prior to killing this
> bicyclist, at 20 years old she has twelve points on her driving record for
> two alcohol violations, two speeding tickets and a car accident.
> bicyclist, at 20 years old she has twelve points on her driving record for
> two alcohol violations, two speeding tickets and a car accident.
> Specifically, the local Prosecutor in Sterling Height already seems to be
> sowing the seeds of having this classified as a unfortunate accident when he
> stated
> *"A bicycle can ride on the roadway and they do have all the rights a car
> would have,” he said. “Unfortunately, he wasn’t on the roadway, he was on a
> gravel shoulder. And even more unfortunate, there was a brand new sidewalk
> just installed about 15 feet from where he was riding". *
> gravel shoulder. And even more unfortunate, there was a brand new sidewalk
>
.
> .
>
> Bob Krzewinski
Paul Alman
Dec 5, 2010, 6:51:28 PM12/5/10
to wb...@googlegroups.com, Bob Krzewinski, Bike Ypsi group, aabts...@googlegroups.com
Agree Phil. About the only comment of this type has to do with the sidewalk issue. It is still early in the process so anything can happen as we know.
P.
On Dec 5, 2010, at 11:42 AM, Phillip Farber wrote:
FWIW, I didn't see a even one post in the article comment section defending the driver. That's a pretty refreshing change from the crap that was posted on AnnArbor.com after Tim P.'s killing on Wagner road.
Phil
On 12/4/10 11:54 AM, Bob Krzewinski wrote:
Recently an indigent bicyclist was killed while riding on a road shoulder in Sterling Heights by a motorist who "dropped something and was looking for it". At the 1:45 portion of this TV coverage (http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/news/local/man-riding-bike-in-sterling-heights-killed-in-accident-20101201-wpms) the person who killed this cyclist is smiling. Prior to killing this bicyclist, at 20 years old she has twelve points on her driving record for two alcohol violations, two speeding tickets and a car accident.Both the Fox TV coverage, and Free Press (http://www.freep.com/article/20101202/NEWS04/101202035/1001/NEWS/Driver-looks-away-kills-Sterling-Hgts.-bicyclist) has comments of "why wasn't the bicyclist riding on the adjacent sidewalk". Specifically, the local Prosecutor in Sterling Height already seems to be sowing the seeds of having this clasifed as a unfortunate accident when he stated
"A bicycle can ride on the roadway and they do have all the rights a car would have,” he said. “Unfortunately, he wasn’t on the roadway, he was on a gravel shoulder. And even more unfortunate, there was a brand new sidewalk just installed about 15 feet from where he was riding".
There is also a Facebook page related to this killing at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Prosecute-Julia-Werth/181328188549623?ref=ts#!/pages/Prosecute-Julia-Werth/181328188549623?v=wall.
Bob Krzewinski
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Joel Batterman
Dec 7, 2010, 12:12:31 AM12/7/10
to Washtenaw Bicycling and Walking Coalition
I've posted a story about this at transportmichigan.org. I really
think the Sterling Heights PD needs to be held accountable for its
improper conduct here, in addition to the criminal herself. It's
sobering to think she could be on the road at this moment.
On Dec 5, 6:51 pm, Paul Alman <pdal...@att.net> wrote:
> Agree Phil. About the only comment of this type has to do with the sidewalk issue. It is still early in the process so anything can happen as we know.
>
> P.
>
> On Dec 5, 2010, at 11:42 AM, Phillip Farber wrote:
>
>
>
> > FWIW, I didn't see a even one post in the article comment section defending the driver. That's a pretty refreshing change from the crap that was posted on AnnArbor.com after Tim P.'s killing on Wagner road.
>
> > Phil
>
> > On 12/4/10 11:54 AM, Bob Krzewinski wrote:
>
> >> Recently an indigent bicyclist was killed while riding on a road shoulder in Sterling Heights by a motorist who "dropped something and was looking for it". At the 1:45 portion of this TV coverage (http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/news/local/man-riding-bike-in-sterlin...) the person who killed this cyclist is smiling. Prior to killing this bicyclist, at 20 years old she has twelve points on her driving record for two alcohol violations, two speeding tickets and a car accident.
>
> >> Both the Fox TV coverage, and Free Press (http://www.freep.com/article/20101202/NEWS04/101202035/1001/NEWS/Driv...) has comments of "why wasn't the bicyclist riding on the adjacent sidewalk". Specifically, the local Prosecutor in Sterling Height already seems to be sowing the seeds of having this clasifed as a unfortunate accident when he stated
> 734-775-1156
think the Sterling Heights PD needs to be held accountable for its
improper conduct here, in addition to the criminal herself. It's
sobering to think she could be on the road at this moment.
On Dec 5, 6:51 pm, Paul Alman <pdal...@att.net> wrote:
> Agree Phil. About the only comment of this type has to do with the sidewalk issue. It is still early in the process so anything can happen as we know.
>
> P.
>
> On Dec 5, 2010, at 11:42 AM, Phillip Farber wrote:
>
>
>
> > FWIW, I didn't see a even one post in the article comment section defending the driver. That's a pretty refreshing change from the crap that was posted on AnnArbor.com after Tim P.'s killing on Wagner road.
>
> > Phil
>
> > On 12/4/10 11:54 AM, Bob Krzewinski wrote:
>
>
> >> Both the Fox TV coverage, and Free Press (http://www.freep.com/article/20101202/NEWS04/101202035/1001/NEWS/Driv...) has comments of "why wasn't the bicyclist riding on the adjacent sidewalk". Specifically, the local Prosecutor in Sterling Height already seems to be sowing the seeds of having this clasifed as a unfortunate accident when he stated
> >> "A bicycle can ride on the roadway and they do have all the rights a car would have,” he said. “Unfortunately, he wasn’t on the roadway, he was on a gravel shoulder. And even more unfortunate, there was a brand new sidewalk just installed about 15 feet from where he was riding".
>
> >> There is also a Facebook page related to this killing athttp://www.facebook.com/pages/Prosecute-Julia-Werth/181328188549623?r....
>
>
> >> Bob Krzewinski
>
> >> --
> >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Washtenaw Bicycling and Walking Coalition" group.
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> >> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to wbwc+uns...@googlegroups.com.
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> >> Bob Krzewinski
>
> >> --
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> >> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to wbwc+uns...@googlegroups.com.
>
> > --
> > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Washtenaw Bicycling and Walking Coalition" group.
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>
> Paul Alman
> pdal...@att.net
> > --
> > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Washtenaw Bicycling and Walking Coalition" group.
> > To post to this group, send email to wb...@googlegroups.com.
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> > For more options, visit this group athttp://groups.google.com/group/wbwc?hl=en.
>
> Paul Alman
> 734-775-1156
Ken Freeman
Dec 7, 2010, 6:37:00 AM12/7/10
to wb...@googlegroups.com
I have to go back to the unconscionable ignorance of people in law enforcement or in the courts who think cyclists are supposed to use sidewalks when they are present. The statutes confer to cyclists the right to use the road, but seemingly law enforcement does not. Nor does it hold motorists responsible for careless or negligent driving. I know my drivers' ed instructor would have told me "It doesn't matter what you dropped, you are driving a car! Search for that thing later!"
I still feel there needs to be a clear public statement of the legal rights and obligations of cyclists, and of motorists toward them. Enforcing those rights are what law enforcement and the courts are for.
Ken Freeman
Ann Arbor, MI USA
Ann Arbor, MI USA
LMB
Dec 7, 2010, 10:06:16 PM12/7/10
to wb...@googlegroups.com
FYI: The "Prosecute Julia Werth" page was indeed
removed by Facebook. A new page titled "Justice for Jim Sawicki" is now
up however: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Justice-for-Jim-Sawicki/166331466735299
John - LMB
John - LMB
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