LAist: ALC Cyclist Taken Down by Hit & Run Motorist

carlosthedwarf

Wed, 21 May 2008 09:59:13 -0800

I don't understand how this is okay. I don't understand why we can't protect bicyclists and pedestrians from careless drivers. This is very upsetting. I hope justice is served. Thank you to all who posted numbers for people we can contact to voice our concern. I will be sure to call those people and hope others who are as disappointed as I am do so too.

panasonicyouth

Wed, 21 May 2008 09:32:21 -0800

RANDY I LOVE YOU!!!! GET BETTER!

Manny

Wed, 21 May 2008 08:33:39 -0800

I guarantee you that if it was a police officer on a bike that got hit by someone... the tale would be TOTALLY different. Its sad that people have to fight and struggle to get something as simple as the right to ride safely in the city. Just amazing and sad...

jrb

Wed, 21 May 2008 08:08:16 -0800

I was once knocked off my bike by a driver coming out of a parking lot. Seperated shoulder, sprained lower back. The police, who came to take a statement from me while I was in the e-room, wrote in their report that I had run into the truck. If I had been able to get pictures of my bike underneath the truck after the accident, it would have shown that the truck was in forward motion at the time of the collision, and that the truck had hit me, not the other way around. Unfortunately the security guards at the building were more concerned with clearing the accident, despite my protests that photos should be taken. In the future I will never give a statement to the police until I've talked to an attorney. Get well Randy. Nail the bastard for me will ya?!

Miss Havisham

Tue, 20 May 2008 19:36:29 -0800

Get well soon, Randy.

Johnny

Tue, 20 May 2008 18:44:55 -0800

Randy Cruz was riding home from work when she was hit from behind by a motorist who then left her in the street as he drove off and hid in a parking lot. The only way she could have "collided" with the car was to be riding in reverse. From that stand point it's a fair assumption she was hit by the car from behind. Now I haven't seen the police report so who knows.

ubrayj02

Tue, 20 May 2008 18:19:20 -0800

Civil suit? If the police report only states that she collided with a car, I wonder how good her chances are with that. I know what you're thinking, "She didn't collide with a car!" The driver's lawyer would say that she did. Maybe intstead of a civil suit, she should file a claim with his insurer, and contact a lawyer to see that that claim is handled properly.

Johnny

Tue, 20 May 2008 18:02:52 -0800

I see minor fender benders every other day stopping traffic, on of all places, the freeway but this person couldn't pull over and help a cyclist he just mowed over! That's ridiculous. I hope she sues the driver for her medical expenses if the city won't press hit and run charges.

Jedi of Hollywood

Tue, 20 May 2008 17:52:22 -0800

what a douche bag driver. I love the picture taken in front of the Star Destroyer building (CalTrans)

Enci

Tue, 20 May 2008 17:18:01 -0800

Requirement to Render Aid CVC 20003. (a) The driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury...shall render to any person injured in the accident reasonable assistance, including transporting, or making arrangements for transporting, any injured person to a physician, surgeon, or hospital for medical or surgical treatment if it is apparent that treatment is necessary or if that transportation is requested by any injured person.

GarySe7en

Tue, 20 May 2008 16:46:37 -0800

I'm so glad you're relatively okay Randy. I hope justice is served, that really pisses me off. Hit and run drivers shouldn't be allowed to drive anymore. Cars are transportation, but they are also deadly weapons, and people need to take resonciblity for their actions. On a more positive note congrats on reaching your fundraising goal for AIDS LifeCycle today. Ride safe, and if you need any help the team is here for you.

danwuh

Tue, 20 May 2008 16:19:28 -0800

Some fun reading for all you out there chomping at the bit; From the California Vehicle code available online at dmv.ca.gov.. Duty to Stop at Scene of Accident. 20001. (a) The driver of ( )1 a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to ( )1 a person, other than himself or herself, or in the death of ( )1 a person shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident and shall fulfill the requirements of Sections 20003 and 20004. http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d10/vc20001.htm Operation of Bicycles. 21200. (a) Every person riding a bicycle upon a highway has all the rights and is subject to all the provisions applicable to the driver of a vehicle by this division, http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/vc/tocd11c1a4.htm Having had a read through, I think im going to carry a copy in the backpack for the inevitable Car / Me incident. Hope your all well there Randy!

SoapBoxLA

Tue, 20 May 2008 16:09:01 -0800

This incident took place in Councilmember Jan Perry's District. You can call 213-473-7009 to let Councilmember Perry know that you want her support. Kathy Godfrey is her Chief of Staff.

SoapBoxLA

Tue, 20 May 2008 16:03:39 -0800

I spoke to Detective Padilla of Central Traffic who had no idea that this incident had taken place. I asked him how it was that a motorist could run down a cyclist from behind, leave a cyclist bleeding in the streets, drive away and hide in a parking lot, get caught, have his version of the incident get contradicted by a witness and then drive away. Detective Padilla called back to report that he had the file and that there were no "hit and run" charges filed on the motorist. The Driver pulled into a parking lot "because there was no street parking!" The first parking lot was a half-block away, he pulled in and was kicked out by security. The driver then moved to another parking lot where he was held by local security guards. The police arrived and statements were taken. The motorist left the scene. The motorist failed to render aid. The motorist could have simply left the vehicle in place and protected the downed cyclist from traffic. But no. The motorist went looking for off-street parking? With resignation in his voice Padilla says "If this case were to go to the City Attorney, there is no way that a case would get filed because we can't establish flight." I urged Detective Padilla to push and to take it to the District Attorney and to the City Attorney. If the DA or the CA reject the case, it's up to us to push the DA and the CA to better fight for the rights of cyclists on the streets of Los Angeles. Detective Padilla 213-972-1851 Detective Mapson (supervisor) 213-972-1840