Posted on 09/12/2005 10:11:00 AM PDT by paltz
A bicyclist was charged with manslaughter after he ran through a stop sign and struck and killed a 71-year-old woman, police said Monday.
Jean Calder died at Good Samaritan Hospital after she was struck Friday night as she crossed a street at an unmarked crosswalk, Corvallis police Capt. Ron Noble said.
Christopher A. Lightning, 51, was charged with manslaughter and reckless driving.
"A car and a bicycle are both vehicles and if they are operated in a way that could be criminal, then charges are filed equally in both situations," Noble said. "He was going right through a stop sign."
Lightning was being housed in Benton County jail with bail set at $57,500. He will be given a court-appointed lawyer at his arraignment in Benton County.
My guess is that he was biking because he lost his license for some other reason.
I would like to be on the jury that hears his case if it goes to trial. The "Bikeies" in the cities and suburbs ride like the laws do not apply to them. This moron should get all that's coming to him. Make him an example.
Biker ping.
There's a stop sign (not a 4-way) on my way to and from work. I actually stop if there's a car coming.
Hahahhaha! He's scr*wd!
The lines are invisible, I guess.
"Many go out of their way to antagonize auto drivers."
I go out of my way to present the one-fingered salute as necessary. I hate "shell heads", where I live, there are no shoulders on the country roads. Many times I have had some close calls while trying to avoid these people.
They should take their toys and play elsewhere.
I ride my bike on the sidewalk as do the cops in this particular location.
Given the choice of the sidewalk or competing with Neanderthals for a lane in traffic, I'll take the sidewalk.
I bet you do, and I'm sure you have lots of company. This is why I pray for high priced gasoline so they you can someday join us.
I ride about 1000 - 1500 miles a year on a bike. I also drive about 25,000 miles a year in my car. This summer I've flipped the bird to motorists while riding, and have been flipped off by local bicyclists when I pointed out (loud horn) that they just blew a stop sign.
1. The worst bicyclists tend to be either the hard-core road-race types, or the ones that look like they're riding due to a DUI conviction.
2. Yes, cyclists need to be stopped and cited by the police when they blow stop signs, go the wrong way, ride on the wrong side of the road, etc.
3. Likewise, the cops need to nail the motorists who do stupid sh*t to cyclists. Tops on the list are motorists who barely miss me as they pass me on the road. Second are those who almost cause a head-on collision as they try to pass me cause they're too impatient. Third are the impatient types who pass me (on my left) right before an intersection, only to do a right-hand turn in front of me yards later.
We won't even discuss all the times I've been run off the road, been assalted, had stuff thrown on me, etc by motorists. Where are the damn cops when you need them?
Especially since the roads are owned and financed by you and only you.
"Many go out of their way to antagonize auto drivers."
one road that I like taking to my work has just undergone construction to add bike lanes in BOTH directions.
now the bikes ride 3-4 across and STILL ride in the road.
almost as bad are the cars driving towards me head on in MY lane to give 10 feet of space as they pass the bikes on their side of the road.
as you said "take your toys and go play somewhere else".
argh.
Almost all of the bicyclists I've had a hankerin' to smack upside the head are the ones who ride on the wrong side of the road AGAINST TRAFFIC.
Those imbiciles are just dying to test Darwin's theory of natural selection.
What state is Benton County?
OH MAN! you said a mouth full. I hate all of those too and it happens all the time. I also hate it when teens in bling bling cars with coffee can mufflers race up behind me and lock up the breaks stopping a couple feet from my rear wheel. I also hate it when "diverse" people in my "diverse" neighborhood cross the center line in their car and try and spit on me out their car window. I've been damaged goods after that one.
We won't even discuss all the times I've been run off the road, been assalted, had stuff thrown on me, etc by motorists. Where are the damn cops when you need them?
Being a biker gives new meaning to the word "defensive driving" (two words) and it also gives real meaning to the stupidity of "I drive an SUV for safety reasons".
From the title, I'd guess Ore.
Clicking the link seems to confirm that.
I've heard that the worst bikers are college students in college towns. College...BAAAAAAA
I have no idea where you live, but I'll tell you about where I live.
I live out in the country. All our roads are two lanes, no shoulders. There are curves, dips, blind spots. The posted speed limit is 40MPH.
Our small town is invaded every weekend by hoards of spandex-clad, volvo-driving twits who DON'T live in or around our town, who could care less about what we think, and who are a constant danger to me and my neighbors who have to avoid them while we go about our business. They ride in the road, often refusing to move right. That causes people to have to pass. More than once, I have had these people swerve in front of me. Luckily, I am used to their arrogance and stupidity, so I normally avoid them. Someday, one of them is going to get me or one of my neighbors killed trying to avoid them.
Our roads, like it or not were not built for bikes.
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