Posted on 08/30/2012 4:24:05 AM PDT by equaviator
Police say pickup truck driver shot bicyclist after crash, altercation at Telegraph, Northline roads
TAYLOR, Mich. -
A bicyclist who was shot after being involved in a traffic accident with a pickup driver in Taylor has died.
Taylor police say the bicyclist died during surgery after the Wednesday night incident with a 46-year-old driver.
Police said the two began arguing after the bicyclist disregarded a "Do Not Cross" signal at Telegraph and Northline roads, causing the driver to hit him. Witnesses said the bicyclist got up and confronted the driver.
"The pedestrian light was red. He wasn't supposed to be crossing and ran into the side of the truck," said witness Michelle Noffsinger. "He jumped up, he got up, and he ran around the front of the truck to the driver's side and he just started pounding on this guy. He hit him ... maybe seven times or so, and then the driver shot him and he fell to the ground. It was just really crazy."
Witnesses told police the driver pulled a pistol and fired one round at the bicyclist, striking him in the chest. The motorist stayed at the scene until police arrived. He is being held pending any charges.
Police said they are still trying to identify the bicyclist. He is described as a white man between 35 and 40 years old with gray hair. He was riding a 10-speed bike.
Anyone with information on the crash, shooting and the bicyclist's identity is asked to contact the Taylor Police Department.
I believe that "road rules" include :
a. "Comply with traffic signs/signals". And
b. "Don't start a fight when you screw up".
(I will refrain from any snide comments on the difference between Kevlar and Spandex.)
A liberal guy and liberal gal, ride their bikes in the ghetto....
Just being dead won't necessarily stop him from voting.
I commute by bike and yes I blow stop signs and traffic lights. If there is a car in the intersection I will stop for 4 ways. I always proceed with caution.
On the other hand. People who are in cars who pass me with inches to spare are upsetting. Most people are bad at judging distance and speed.
I ride like I am invisible and just expect drivers to not see me.
I obeyed traffic laws in general when I was a full-time bicyclist, because I knew how vulnerable I was to either hostile or inattentive drivers.
The only law I would’t completely obey was the stop sign. I wouldn’t absolutely stop, but I would slow down and ascertain my safety. I was never careless or chancy when it came to my road safety.
Why is the driver being held? You’ve got a witness affirming self-defense, the driver called it in and waited for the police, he is most likely a local with longstanding ties to the community. Why would you not release him on his own recognizance while being investigated? Does he have a criminal record or something?
I’ve been waiting for this. Bicyclists are the among the most arrogant and sanctimonius bastards I know. They continually scoff at traffic regulations. They have their rights, you know.
Matbe the yeomanry is going start to put some fear into the ‘protected’ classes.
Also, the article says the driver hit the cyclist, but then they quote a witness who says it was the other way around.
Why I won’t join a bicycling club.
I’m waiting at a light after dark. It turns green. As I press my accelerator. A bicyclist zips off the cross street SIDEWALK to my left and we both slam on our brakes as he stops right in front of me.
He then gives ME a ration!
When I was doing a lot of cycling (which is regrettably no longer the case - time to go back into retirement!), I always wore a helmet, I also dressed in a tee-shirt and normal people's shorts and not like a French queer. I rode all over Eastern North Carolina and never had a problem
—He was riding a 10-speed bike. —
Bike must have been a Schwinn Varsity.
Are you kidding?!
They should try this guy with George Zimmerman and hang ‘em high!
/s
One down a million more to go.
Hey, I resemble that remark!
I bicycle commuted from the late 80’s until about 2007 in Seattle. I stopped because of cell phones and texting. On the roads it’s always Saturday at 2 in the morning now. It’s very dangerous to ride on the roads.
I’ve actually been hit by three cars, all badly scratched up but I never went down. It’s because they all tried to take right turns while next to me.
Sounds like this cyclist had an attitude problem. Even if he had the green that was the wrong way to respond.
Also, the article says the driver hit the cyclist, but then they quote a witness who says it was the other way around.
Yeah. The article itself said the bicyclist ran a red and t-boned the vehicle.
Ah, someone who understands rules of the road.
Was it confusing to you that the article says the biker did not stop for the “pedestrian” stop light? I mean, bikes are vehicles, not pedestrians. Bikers obey vehicle rules when on the road. There should be no reason for him to stop...unless they meant it was a bike trail or the biker was using the walkway.
I have little doubt that the biker is at fault, but wish the article was clearer.
This story reminds me of what my father told me - and I’ve always remembered it.
He was right, dead right,
as he rolled along.
But he is just as dead, right
as if he were wrong.
I live in a rural area with narrow, hilly, twisting roads, yet almost every weekend, I come around a curve at the recommended speed limit just to be confronted with a huge group of pumping butt-cheeks doing 10 mph.
I can understand why cyclists do what they do.....but they need to make sure the area is adequate for it and have their vehicles 'taxed' since they want to share the road.
Just my 2 cents.
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