On this blog, I have often decried the lackadaisical or even hostile response from law enforcement officials when a cyclist is maimed or killed by a motorist who was speeding, driving while impaired or operating the vehicle in some other illegal manner.
I also try to bring attention to law enforcement officials who are diligent in pursuing those who endanger or destroy lives by hurtling down the road inside two tons of steel. In Michigan's Macomb County, just outside of Detroit, such work by the constables has led to the arrest of a man who blew through an intersection at 70 MPH, mowed down a cyclist who happened to be crossing the road, and didn't stop or even slow down.
Randy Menendez, a 60-year-old father, was riding his bike home from a friend's house at 6:27 pm on 3 February. He'd planned to watch the Super Bowl with his family, according to his sister Roseanne Menendez. He was crossing Groesbeck Highway in Warren when a gray Dodge Charger with a temporary tag in the rear window, and tinted side windows, struck him.
He didn't make it. His clothes and mangled bike were scattered across the road.
Some time after the crash, the driver had the Charger towed to a house in Detroit, where police found it under a tarp.
The car, it turned out, had been leased. That no doubt helped police in finding the driver, a 24-year-old man whose name hasn't yet been released. He faces a charge of leaving the scene of a fatal crash, a felony that carries a 15-year sentence.
Although I commend the police officers' work, I have to wonder whether other charges will be brought against him. At the risk of seeming vengeful, I'd like to be sure that someone who took a cyclist's--and father's--life with such seeming disregard won't get out for "good behavior" after, say, five years.
I also try to bring attention to law enforcement officials who are diligent in pursuing those who endanger or destroy lives by hurtling down the road inside two tons of steel. In Michigan's Macomb County, just outside of Detroit, such work by the constables has led to the arrest of a man who blew through an intersection at 70 MPH, mowed down a cyclist who happened to be crossing the road, and didn't stop or even slow down.
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| Randy Menendez |
Randy Menendez, a 60-year-old father, was riding his bike home from a friend's house at 6:27 pm on 3 February. He'd planned to watch the Super Bowl with his family, according to his sister Roseanne Menendez. He was crossing Groesbeck Highway in Warren when a gray Dodge Charger with a temporary tag in the rear window, and tinted side windows, struck him.
He didn't make it. His clothes and mangled bike were scattered across the road.
Some time after the crash, the driver had the Charger towed to a house in Detroit, where police found it under a tarp.
The car, it turned out, had been leased. That no doubt helped police in finding the driver, a 24-year-old man whose name hasn't yet been released. He faces a charge of leaving the scene of a fatal crash, a felony that carries a 15-year sentence.
Although I commend the police officers' work, I have to wonder whether other charges will be brought against him. At the risk of seeming vengeful, I'd like to be sure that someone who took a cyclist's--and father's--life with such seeming disregard won't get out for "good behavior" after, say, five years.
Call me a pessimist, but this is my fear:
ReplyDeleteThe driver will essentially beat the charges. He'll have his lawyer hammer the point that the rider was crossing against the light and the jury will be sympathetic. The judge will pass a light sentence, mitigated by the fact that the driver had the green light, the cyclist had no lights and wasn't wearing a helmet. i'd be surprised if the driver got anything more than a fine & community service.
Meanwhile, the news reports continue to call this an "accident."
Mike, I hope you're wrong about what will happen to that driver, but I'm not holding my breath.
ReplyDeleteIt irks me, too, when incidents like that one are called "accidents".