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Collision Downtown? - Wood at Blvd of the Allies

I was going past today when I saw three bikes, one in the middle of the intersection, one off to the side, and one with (apparently) the owner. There were cops, a few cars, and a lot of blood on the road. Does anyone know what happened/if the cyclists are okay?


rubberfactory
2010-09-28 19:35:30

Sorry, went to edit this and it posted twice. Weird.


rubberfactory
2010-09-28 19:45:19

Latest update says cyclist is in serious but stable condition at UPMC Mercy.


Cyclist was hit by a grey Audi that was turning left off Blvd. of the Allies, from what I read.


No ID on cyclist yet, but bike had pretty distinctive yellow tape on handlebars.


www.kdka.com for photo


swalfoort
2010-09-28 19:54:03

I really hope the guy's okay. I was a bit shaken up from seeing the scene, mainly because this is my area - a lot of the time, I can feel better about it by telling myself that that isn't where I ride, but this is. it's that feeling of helplessness, when I start to think, "maybe lights, stopping at reds/stop signs, and hand signals aren't enough - this could happen to me."


rubberfactory
2010-09-28 20:13:47

I hope somebody gets the videotapes from Point Park before they get overwritten or lost. Or anywhere else that has security cameras in the area.


lyle
2010-09-28 20:20:21

Photo from the PG:


(video camera top right and top left in the photo)


Photo from KDKA:


Story from WPXI.


I really hope this person is okay. I do not recognize the bar tape, but it is very distinctive.


From the angle the car is parked in the first photo, it looks like a left hook situation.


dwillen
2010-09-28 20:32:30

I've seen that bike but I can't place the owners face in my mind


spakbros
2010-09-28 20:34:22

i've seen that bike around downtown before. i wanna say it's someone who makes deliveries for Jimmy John's...but i'm not positive.


looking at that wheel gives me chills..


ohgrrl
2010-09-28 20:40:34

Two threads on this story already. I wish I could tell from the photos which direction the bike was going.


stuinmccandless
2010-09-28 20:40:56

I do wish that the blood hadn't been cleaned up before that picture was taken - yes, the sight of it sickened me, but people should be sickened when this happens.


rubberfactory
2010-09-28 20:42:12

WTAE just reported with a witness saying the car turned "when it wasn't supposed to." Then the tape got cut off and the reporter was quick to say they had no idea yet how it happened or who was at fault. Weird, It's like someone had a gun to her head behind the camera.


morningsider
2010-09-28 21:05:10

so far, it seems like the cyclist was not at fault, and if that's the case, I hope some serious charges come upon the driver.


rubberfactory
2010-09-28 21:11:21

^^ Amazing. And infuriating


EDIT: Directed at Morningsider's post


noah-mustion
2010-09-28 21:13:32

I can't place the bike, but it does look very familiar.


This is a bad intersection. I ride through there on my way home and people are very anxious about making "pgh lefts" there. The problem is, it won't just be one person, but three-four cars trying to make the turn when the light changes.


I've always thought that there should be a turn arrow there to prevent this very situation.


Hope the cyclist is ok.


justin_time
2010-09-28 21:28:08

I agree about people rushing the Pbgh left there- I like to check to see if I have a car behind me to help stop them from doing so. If not, I am on my brakes.

As far as serious charges, it would be incredibly ironic if any were filed considering a recent death to a cyclist and that killer driver out on the loose.

I must say I did hesitate to use the word "killer" but they did kill someone.


helen-s
2010-09-28 21:40:56

I work on the North Side & wish they'd finish that bullshit at the Point so I can get to the Jail Trail without encountering any downtown traffic. Downtown is an absolute mess traffic-wise


noah-mustion
2010-09-28 21:42:43

Just found out that this is a friend of mine. Don't know the details yet but he is being immobilized at the hospital with spinal fractures and a fractured shoulder blade.


Don't know if this is 100% accurate, but I will post updates as soon as I hear more.


Does anyone know if there is a good way to see if point park has footage of this or who to contact? I'd like to do something if i can while he is in the hospital.


justin_time
2010-09-28 21:54:39

I've got the same tape on my handlebars and I'm regularly riding around town...could be my bike (black and gray Specialized) that people are thinking of. In any case, I really hope the cyclist isn't hurt too badly. Does anyone have more information than what's been reported?


One thing about both of those articles jumped out at me: there is nothing in either of them that is slanted against the cyclist. Compared to the not-too-distant past, that's a nice change. Maybe the noise the Pgh cycling community has made over the recent accidents is starting to make a difference?


mattre
2010-09-28 21:58:18

I hope there are charges, but since I know of three people who carelessly killed cyclists with very little consequence, I highly doubt there will be charges. With that said, I would love to be proved wrong.


ndromb
2010-09-28 21:59:19

This just happened down the street from my work!!! When someone mentioned something in the office about the accident, the first thing I said "I hope is not someone I know" :(


I was almost hit by an armored car at Forbes & Wood street on my way to work this morning and was glad I avoided the car (did give a 'WTF' look and hand-motion to the driver after I saved his left turn).


Hope this person is fine :(


bikeygirl
2010-09-28 22:04:00

Justin - sorry to hear that, I hope he is okay.


rubberfactory
2010-09-28 22:09:25

what is the combined speed required to shatter a windshield? And to bend the fork like that? I'm thinking it was close to 30mph.


The car might have been moved after the impact. It would not be unusual for the driver to back up immediately. So I can't read too much into this photo, except that it appears that the damage to the car was to the right front corner, and that the impact was on the cyclist's left (or he was trying to swerve to the right and impacted with his wheel turned). That is consistent with a left hook. Also with a rideout from the sidewalk into the crosswalk. Though I doubt that was what happened, video footage should show if it was or not. My guess is that this was not a pittsburgh-left, but that the cyclist was following a truck through the intersection and the motorist jumped on the left turn without seeing that it was clear. Just a guess.


@dwillen, yes, those are the cameras I was speaking of. I am wondering if there's one on the parking lot too.


@Justin re getting the footage: does your friend have local kin?


lyle
2010-09-28 22:12:13

@Lyle yeah, you could be right about how it happened. Hard to say from the photos.


I'm trying to get in touch with some other friends at the hospital to find out more details. Would a family member be the person to call to contact point park about the video?


@bikePGH any suggestions?


justin_time
2010-09-28 22:36:56

@Justin - So sorry about what happened to your friend. Hope he's ok. Keep us posted, please?


There was a thread not too long ago about Point Park's intention to remove bikes that did not belong to PPU students. It had the phone number for campus security/safety/police/something. I'll try to find it, and edit this post with the updated information.


Here's the info:


Please contact the University’s Public Safety Department at (412) 392-3960.” Additional notices attached to the rack itself explain that all bicycles not registered and displaying a Point Park University’s bicycle decal by Aug. 15, 2010 will be removed from the bike rack and housed in the Public Safety Department.


swalfoort
2010-09-28 23:08:19

@bikePGH any suggestions?


get a lawyer for him immediately.


a lawyer is probably the best person to get footage, but finding out if a camera even exists could be useful. and if said camera does exist, then point park u (or whomever) needs to know that they shouldn't erase it or write over it. if there is a case, there's a chance that the police could get the footage too.


also, if you're trying to help him, it might be useful to help him find some witnesses, or at least make sure that the police have some (although i wouldn't depend on that). finding witnesses may involve going into the businesses around there and asking around, or putting flyers up at the intersection. there needs to be a statement from them as soon as possible as witnesses can be hard to find the longer one waits (this is what happened in my case).


erok
2010-09-28 23:17:57

@Nick - How did you find that thread so quickly. I tried using the search feature on the bulletin board, but that almost never works for me. I have much better luck going through google. But, I am always convinced that I remember enough of the thread/post that I think the BP search feature will work, so I try that first. Stupid me. From now on, I go to google first.


swalfoort
2010-09-28 23:19:08

@swalfoort - I'm pretty sure the board's search function only work is the original thread is tags with what you are searching for. I found it quickly because I knew I posted it on my Facebook page--I just went to FB and looked at my recently posted links.


ndromb
2010-09-28 23:31:10

Thanks for that update, Nick.


Justin, the PG reports that the witness they interviewed was a Point Park University student by the name of Alex Page.


Alex Page, the 19-year-old Point Park student, said the man hit was conscious and speaking when he saw him. He asked someone else to turn him over and looked like he was in pain, though, said Mr. Page.


Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10271/1090976-100.stm#ixzz10s0TKeHW


swalfoort
2010-09-28 23:32:53

@lyle what is the combined speed required to shatter a windshield?


Not very high - windshields are designed to break before skulls crack. I'm guessing maybe 10 mph.


It would take an expert to estimate speeds from the shatter pattern of the windshield.


mick
2010-09-28 23:56:34

FWIW re witnesses,there is a second bicycle in the PG photo on the right side of the frame. You might find this person commuting through here at the same time of day. Maybe they saw something.


marko82
2010-09-29 00:01:24

I remember seeing two bicycles for sure, the damaged one and the one with the rider lounging on it. I thought I saw a third one, but I may have simply glimpsed it and mistook a motorcycle for a bike.


rubberfactory
2010-09-29 00:11:30

Ugh, saw this on the news. I'm glad the guy is alive and stable. Here's hoping he makes a full recovery.


I wish I didn't hear about this one because I'm on Blvd of the Allies every morning.


Speculative, but:

From the news report, the car was turning left from BOA and the bike was on Wood. From the photos, the car is pointing westbound turning southbound, with the far left side of the windshield smashed. The cyclist was likely headed north on wood. The bike is in the middle of the intersection so it's hard to imagine he was riding through the crosswalk.


If the above is right then someone ran the red (or both if one was jumping the green while the other was trying to beat the red). I hope the police investigate this. If the driver was at fault as per Morningsider's post there has to be some form of penalty for running a red and seriously injuring someone, no?


cuse
2010-09-29 00:47:23

Tonight's news referred to the victim as a "local pizza delivery guy...."


swalfoort
2010-09-29 02:57:18

@swalfoort he works pt at jimmy johns


Just got word that he has two spinal fractures and a broken scapula and a lot of cuts and abrasions. He does have feeling in his appendages, so, thats good news. A friend who visited him in the hospital tonight said he was in good spirits, but expectedly groggy.


No new details on the accident itself though.


@Ka_jun thx for the pix post, at least there were a lot of peds/bike cops/etc on scene.


Please PM me if you have any advice, legal contacts, tips, etc. Thanks!


justin_time
2010-09-29 03:39:08

justin, call marc reisman. his number is in the ads on the left column on the homepage.


cburch
2010-09-29 03:52:25

@justin - good luck to your friend. Ugh on the pics... head to the top of a windshield post. Looks like a lot of blood ... I'm just wondering where it came from ... not exactly cuts & abrasions amounts there. Do you know whether or not he was wearing a helmet?


quizbot
2010-09-29 04:12:05

@ Nick D. - There were no criminal charges brought in the three cases. One happened outside Allegheny County, with a completely different district attorney, so it's really only two cases here that would form a pattern.


If, in fact, the car did not have the right of way, the victim here could file civil charges independent of whatever the DA decides to do on the criminal side.


ieverhart
2010-09-29 06:44:20

@swalfoort, according to the PG, Page did not witness the crash itself but arrived immediately after.


@Justin, the person who contacts the PPU security office should be someone with "standing" - either the victim, kin, or someone explicitly chosen by the victim or kin.


@cuse: "headed north on wood". No way, the physics are all wrong (plus northbound is a bus lane). Bike fork is bent to the right, car has impacts at right of center grill, left A-pillar, and cyclist touches ground to the left of the driver's window. Everything moves after an impact, the lighter things move farther, but where the bike ends up is not the point of impact (unless the speeds involved are very slow).


I don't like to speculate on this stuff at moments like this as it's morbid, but I'd hate to see the injured person blamed for something just because he's not around to speak for himself -- which is what usually happens at bike accident scenes.


I see that one of the photos appears to include the driver and her companion.


lyle
2010-09-29 12:11:08

A speedy recovery to your friend, Justin, and best of luck.


Lyle - just because it was a bus lane doesn't mean the driver wasn't either driving into it or coming from it. I admittedly don't know the intersection at all, but it makes me nervous seeing people discuss hypotheticals and assuming that people did things even slightly correctly or rationally before such an accident. The perfect storm of wrongness could have preceeded this.


Sometimes the most logical and simple explination is not accurate - humans are involved, so undoubtedly the Shenanigan Factor will be sky high. I'm not blaming the injured cyclist by any means, I'm just saying drivers (and even cyclists) do some crazy stuff.


I'm hoping video either was snagged prior to the 12 hour loop or will be snagged prior to the 24 hour loop. The window of opportunity is fast closing.


ejwme
2010-09-29 12:33:53

From WTAE website (accompaniying the video interview with Perrine):


Channel 4 Action News' Shannon Perrine reported that the driver of the car that hit the bicyclist stopped at the scene and talked to police.


"The bicycle was going across traffic and a car came and took the turn when they weren't supposed to," witness Nick Antonucci told Perrine.


Interview shows Antonucci to be a young professional - probably not a PPU student - dressed in white shirt, tie and suit vest.


swalfoort
2010-09-29 13:04:16

I am not a lawyer.


That said, I think that your friend should talk to a lawyer, such as Marc Reisman. Your friend should not discuss details of the accident publicly- particularly online, on someplace like this forum.


jz
2010-09-29 13:34:55

^^ If he is going the legal route, which he should, he should avoid saying anything publicly - unless his lawyer says it's ok to do so.


erok
2010-09-29 13:52:42

Justin, if you have contacts with the family, tell someone to move quickly on holding the Point Park video cam footage, to reiterate what someone else said. It's probably not exactly what the family is thinking about right now.


edmonds59
2010-09-29 14:05:08

@ejwme: just because it was a bus lane doesn't mean [either party] wasn't either driving into it or coming from it


Of course, that's why I put it in ()s and said "plus". It is unlikely, though.


Anyway, I'm going to hold off further speculation for now. I don't want to suggest grossly illegal behavior on either part without access to more facts. Antonucci's quote raises more questions than it answers :(


lyle
2010-09-29 14:46:14

One of the pictures shows the blood they're washing away is right in the middle of a crosswalk. Maybe the driver was making an illegal turn onto Wood (Wood is a bus only lane going North there) from BOA and hit the guy in the crosswalk. that would explain Antonucci's reference to a "turn they weren't supposed to make ". If you don't drive downtown alot its easy to not know that some of the streets are bus only lanes.


boazo
2010-09-29 15:38:29

@quizbot - head and face lacerations do tend to bleed an awful lot, so the amount of blood doesn't look inconsistent to me.


Hope he's okay, first I heard of this was my airport driver last night saying a cyclist had been killed downtown - glad that wasn't the case.


erink
2010-09-29 15:38:36

My fear is that the driver was making a perfectly legal left on a green from wb BOA to sb Wood, and the cyclist blew the red on sb Wood and expected nobody to be there.


We cyclists do not need bad press, and especially a "See? Cyclists are stupid!" launch point for the ignorant radio loudmouths in this town. They can do more PR damage in five 50-kilowatt seconds than we can reverse in months of activism.


stuinmccandless
2010-09-29 16:29:59

Those bloody pictures almost made me puke.... :(


I'll pray for a full-recovery.

And yeah, get a lawyer asap.


bikeygirl
2010-09-29 16:35:24

Is there any particular reason this got publicity? Is it because there were witnesses? or maybe because of all that blood ewwwww.(I think they should show the bloody picture on the news and maybe people will be will be more cautious of us bikers)


Best of luck to the victim and much patience and perseverance to his family and friends.


bikelove2010
2010-09-29 16:49:40

I'm guessing it was because it was downtown, and all the media folks were there already.


dwillen
2010-09-29 18:36:35

I witnessed this accident.


There was no truck blocking the biker. One second, there was no car and the next - she was there. I can't even guess how fast she was going, but fast enough that I looked away from the crosswalk for 2 seconds at my ipod and the next, I heard and saw the collison. I heard several people around me say, "why the hell was she trying to make a left on red?"


I am an instructor at Point Park and was headed to class. Let me know if I can be of help.


zentat2
2010-09-29 21:15:55

Could you tell where each vehicle was coming from and the direction each was headed?


joeframbach
2010-09-29 21:47:16

zentat, you could contact the police about providing your eye witness account for their police report. Also maybe give your contact info to Justin (earlier in this thread) who is a friend of the victim in case he or his lawyer needs your statement.


tabby
2010-09-29 21:59:06

I honestly wouldn't say anymore about it here zentat.


Please PM the appropriate parties. It would be terrible to have your statement here used against the injured cyclist in any way.


You RULE for caring enough to post here. A+


spakbros
2010-09-29 22:10:21

@Mick $ Lyle: Judging by where the windshield is shattered, I think the force needed would require the impact be much higher then 10mph. Windshields are very strong at the edges, especially on convertibles.


ndromb
2010-09-29 22:43:16

looks like a fellow jimmy john's delivery guy hanging his head in the last photo... ugh.


left turn on red. classy lady


noah-mustion
2010-09-29 23:15:48

Thanks for the feedback, folks. I will reserve further comment, but I did want to make sure Justin knew that I was out there for support.


zentat2
2010-09-29 23:35:35

yes please make a statement with the police. if the driver broke the law then their ass needs to be held accountable... thanks for speaking up


noah-mustion
2010-09-29 23:39:39

+++++1 zentat for stepping forward. You might want to write down what you saw while it is still fresh in your memory but don't show it to anyone. It will solidify for you what you think you saw. Time has a strange way of confusing the brain into forgetfulness of small but important details.


marko82
2010-09-29 23:57:23

Hello,

I am the brother of the cyclist in the accident. Our mother and I finally made it here to Pittsburgh today and we're at the hospital with him. She lives in Arkansas and I live in Texas.

His name is Dan, and he IS a delivery guy for JJ's.


I am overwhelmed at the response this post has garnered, and I'm really happy that you cyclists seem to stick together and look out for one another. When he's better, I know he'll be thrilled to hear about this.


A quick update as to his condition: He is in stable condition. He does have 3 fractures to his spine. 2 in his back, and one in his neck. A fractured shoulder blade, and possible fracture in the left elbow. His face is pretty banged up from the windshield, but it's not as bad as it looked.

He's not paralyzed. He has movement and most of the feeling in all limbs.

That is all I care to say right now about his condition.

Bottom line: He's going to make it.


Now, our mother has basically put me in charge of making the legal decisions and everything I've read so far on this post has been extremely helpful.

You can be sure we're going to do everything we can to get the footage from the reportedly '4 cameras' at that intersection ASAP.

We've contacted a lawyer, but I honestly wasn't impressed with our first meeting.


If any of you have a lawyer to suggest, I'm all ears. Please PM me on here. BUT PLEASE, do not just send me the name of some random lawyer, or ambulance chaser. If you decide to suggest a lawyer for a specific reason, please STATE SO in the email. Maybe he has experience with bicycle accidents, etc..


Also, ZENTAT2, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE get in contact with me. I will attempt to send you a PM with my cell number, call or text and identify yourself as the witness from this forum.


My brother is ok, and he's going to pull through. He's strong, and has a lot of heart. I think you guys can agree that that just comes along with being a cyclist. It wasn't a mode of transportation for him, it was a way of life..

A way of life that could have easily been robbed from him yesterday. Luckily he should make a full recovery and I know he'll be more than ready to hop right back on that back. (or a new one anyways)


I am thinking of setting up a paypal account or something where people can make donations to get him a new bike. Would this be a good idea? He's not really well off, and I know he busted his ass to get the bike that he had. I may just be easier to set up a donation jar at the cafe he works at. Delivering for JJ's is only one of his jobs. In the evenings he works at Cafe Davia(sp?)

The owner there, Steve, is one of his best friends. I'll get in contact with Steve tomorrow and maybe see what we can do.


Back to more urgent matters.

If you have any tips, advice, or representation recommendations, please PM them to me.


Thank you so much.


bconnerly
2010-09-30 04:00:41

Bottom line: He's going to make it.


I am very happy to hear he is going to be okay.


We've contacted a lawyer, but I honestly wasn't impressed with our first meeting.


Not sure who you met with, but Marc Reisman specializes in bike accidents and has an office not too far from where your brother was hit. He represented me and several other people here and everyone I've heard from has been pleased with his services.


I am thinking of setting up a paypal account or something where people can make donations to get him a new bike. Would this be a good idea? He's not really well off, and I know he busted his ass to get the bike that he had.


Your time would probably be better spent finding a lawyer you are happy with. If the driver of the car is determined to be at fault, his/her insurance should replace the bike and then some.


dwillen
2010-09-30 04:33:31



James 'Jim' Reed

"Bicycle Attorney"

Have any of you guys ever heard of him or maybe have something to say about him? good or bad?

Just wanting some opinions. Thanks. :)


That guy appears to be located in New York. You might have an easier time with someone based in Pittsburgh.


dwillen
2010-09-30 04:37:30

"Your time would probably be better spent finding a lawyer you are happy with. If the driver of the car is determined to be at fault, his/her insurance should replace the bike and then some."

-dwillen


I know you're right, but here it is 11:35pm. I'm at the hospital, spending the night in the waiting room.

I was just so overwhelmed with all the responses to this thread that it got me thinking about how you guys could help if you wanted.


For now I will definitely focus on finding a good attorney.

Having not been here when the accident took place, we are kind of in the dark as well. All that we know is what we've read and heard from the news. But it does seem that most fingers are pointed at the motorist being at fault.

I hate to point fingers, I wish this hadn't happened at all, but if someone is at fault, I will make sure they are held responsible for their actions.


I will definitely look into this Marc Resiman. Just looking over that other guy, James Reed's website, I was getting a much better feeling.

The lawyer we met with today, who is pictured on the back of the phonebooks apparently, didn't seem to have a lot of knowledge about bicycle cases, and seemed to be treating this as just another motor-vehicle case.

I think I would be much more comfortable with someone who has handled bicycle accidents before.

:)


bconnerly
2010-09-30 04:45:20

I'm sure you guys don't have to sleep in the waiting room. There must be a half-dozen people who will put you up.


lyle
2010-09-30 11:27:18

If I wasn't out the door so early most day, I'd let you have my couch, but like Lyle said, I"m sure someone else could help out better than I.


rubberfactory
2010-09-30 11:54:38

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. I am in touch with Bryan and have written a detailed record.


zentat2
2010-09-30 11:56:46

I don't have a suitable apartment to host people, but I wouldn't mind going out to dinner with you guys some evening while you're in town.


The lawyer we met with today, who is pictured on the back of the phonebooks apparently


Not many people are impressed with Ed anyway. He just spends the most on advertizing.


joeframbach
2010-09-30 13:23:59

You went to Edgar Snyder? Heh.


Glad to hear your brother should make a full recovery.


noah-mustion
2010-09-30 13:31:56

I didn't hear "full".


lyle
2010-09-30 13:41:33

sorry; you're right


noah-mustion
2010-09-30 13:49:40

I can't offer a couch or spare room, I'm not close enough to hospitals to be of any use. Once my inspection is up to date (Monday or so), I can offer use of my car (manual, diesel, sedan), if it's needed just PM me.


I'll help with a new bike, as I'm sure most others who can will too, so don't worry about that now.


Don't rule out "full" yet, guys, only time can do that.


Bconnerly (and family) - *HUGS* to you and yours. I don't think I'm out of line in saying - anything you need, ask the board, we'll do our best.


ejwme
2010-09-30 14:11:05

Also, please consider us a resource for general information about the city.


As a group Pittsburghers are kind and friendly people, but sometimes they forget to tell you the basics (like street names or store locations or whatever). I'm a transplant, and I love this city, but it can be frustrating at times.


mmfranzen
2010-09-30 15:14:46

I work at Mercy Hospital, although I'm non-clinical and have little contact wtih the clinical side. OTOH, I'm a local and I know my way around. If there is anything I can do to help, please let me know. 412-232-5631


Mick


mick
2010-09-30 15:31:33

I'm local, too, and know the bus system pretty well. For $20, you can ride the buses all week (Sun-Sat), unlimited riding, compared to parking the car twice. www.portauthority.org gets you to their website, but you might do better with http://maps.google.com & zoom in on the bus stops. If you need help figuring out A to B, let me know.


stuinmccandless
2010-09-30 16:22:40

Thanks again to everyone who has responded to this.


Of course, my brother has tons of friends who have offered to put us up, as well as my brother insisting we stay at his place, but you can probably imagine, there's no other place in the world that we would rather be than right here in the hospital with him. We finally got a room at the McCaully Inn upstairs and have a couple of beds and a shower.


To update his condition:

A "FULL" rocovery is exactly what we're expecting him to make. Amazingly he will not require surgery. He's already moved out of the trauma center and into a more personal room where he's not hooked up to a hundred monitors. They're keeping him in a neck collar and back brace to reduce mobility so that his fractures can heal on their own with time. Also he should begin inpatient physical therapy tomorrow.

He's already up on his feet. Not exactly walking, but shuffling.

His face still looks pretty beat up, but most of it is dried blood that they haven't cleaned off yet so as not to agitate him more than necessary.

Other than some minor scarring on his forhead and face, he should recover with no permanent injuries that would prevent him from getting back onto a bicycle, and into his kayak which he loves almost as much as his bike.

He could possibly be out of the hospital as soon as next week and may only require physical therapy for a matter of weeks, not months.

All in all he is doing great. He has tons of friends and family (and even complete strangers) keeping him in their thoughts and prayers.


I have made contact with an attorney who has come highly recommended by the name of Mike George. We will be meeting with him tomorrow. I have contacted the security office that is responsible with for the camera(s) at the intersection. Understandably they couldn't give me too much information over the phone, and their boss or manager is out of the office until monday, but I was assured by one security officer "We will do everything we need to."

I am also in contact with Zentat2 and through her have found as many as 3 more witnesses of the accident.

Thank you all so much for the tips, advice, friendly words, and thoughts.


bconnerly
2010-10-01 04:21:03

That's awesome news! Thanks for taking the time to update his condition on this board. That means a lot considering what you must be going through. Best of luck.


Side note: if one of his friends has not retrieved his bike yet, let me know. I know it is busted up but if there is anything he wants to keep, I would be happy to pick it up and hold it.


morningsider
2010-10-01 09:57:32

Yeah his bike has been retrieved, thank you so much.


bconnerly
2010-10-01 16:40:09

don't know if this is obvious, but don't throw out the bike and make sure to take lots of photos of it


erok
2010-10-01 17:52:55

What Erok said. The insurance company will probably want it if it is paid off as a total loss, so don't start stripping parts off or anything like that.


dwillen
2010-10-01 18:45:46

Um. I think he was thinking evidence.


lyle
2010-10-01 21:37:50

Evidence of what?


You need to show that it is damaged, but I really don't think they are going to do a CSI-level accident reconstruction based on damage to the bike. Keep it and document the damage. I'm sure the cops already got all they are going to take from it.


dwillen
2010-10-01 21:40:49

whoops wrong thread sry


nfranzen
2010-10-01 22:53:40

@dwillen - you can't know what's going to happen. If you strip the bike, you foreclose an option. It wouldn't be the first time that video evidence is inconclusive, witnesses are contradictory, and the motorist insists on a version of events completely at odds with the physical evidence.


lyle
2010-10-02 00:43:41

@Lyle I don't claim to know what is going to happen. I said not to take anything off the bike. I'm not sure how that is inconsistent with what Erok said.


After my accident, I was told not to strip the bike because (if the driver was determined to be at fault) the insurance company may send their adjuster (to determine damage), and they would want it if it was a total loss. Nobody at any point suggested it may play an important determination of fault.


dwillen
2010-10-02 01:30:43

i had a shitty lawyer at first that didn't give me any advice. after i fired him and got a good lawyer, he asked me to take photos of my messed up bike, but i didn't have it anymore. this was 2003 and i didn't know any better.


erok
2010-10-02 02:35:44

Hey just wondering how this guy is doing?


edmonds59
2010-11-04 15:00:40