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Hit & Run Driver Injures Cyclist, Turns Self In, Gets a Misdemeanor
Photo by GarySe7en via LAist Featured Photos on Flickr
Photo by GarySe7en via LAist Featured Photos on Flickr
Bicycle activist and blogger Stephen Box yesterday recounted a hit and run that last week left a cyclist in the hospital. Here's what happened:
Last week, Ed Magos got up early, just as he does every weekday morning, had breakfast with his wife and children and then hopped on his bike to ride to City Hall where he works for the ITA Department. He didn't make it. As he rode down 2nd street, he was hit from behind by a motorist who didn't honk or hit the brakes. She simply drove her Porche Cayenne sports car into the back of Magos, propelling him and his bike through the air. He landed on the ground and lay still, conscious that any movement might cause further injury. From the corner of his eye, he saw the woman walk toward him. He yelled "I can't move! Call 911!"
He remained motionless and continued to call for help, then heard the sound of car door closing, then the sound of an engine starting. He craned his head and caught the license plate number of the woman's car as she made a u-turn and drove off in the opposite direction. He immediately began repeating the license information out loud until a woman approached and assured him that she had written it down and that she had called 911
In an e-mail blast, the L.A. County Bicycle Coalition briefly cites the same: "Witnesses and Ed both state that the driver of the vehicle got out of her car, saw Ed and proceeded to get back in her car and leave the scene."So what happened to that driver? She later turned herself into a local police station, saying "I think I hit something. I'm not sure what," according to Box via Magos. Later police told Box the incident was an accident.
LAPD Chief Charlie Beck is scheduled to appear in front of the City Council's Transportation Committee in late February to discuss bicycle issues. This will surely be added to growing list of incidents that Councilman Bill Rosendahl will have questions about.
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