Bay Area Sheriff's deputy kills 2 cyclists training for a race
I know this is a Bay Area story. But there are a lot of cyclists in Humboldt County. This is one reason why I don't own a road bike anymore.
A 27-year-old Santa Clara County Sheriff's deputy, with just 18 months on the job, swerved over onto the wrong side of the road into the path of a trio of cyclists who were out for a morning training ride in Cupertino. Two of the cyclists were killed. Another was badly injured. One of the dead cyclists was a champion triathlete.
The victims were riding with members of a bicycle racing team training on Stevens Canyon Road in preparation for a race next week. Apparently the deputy fell asleep at the wheel -- that's what he told witnesses -- just 4-1/2 hours into a 12-1/2 hour shift. His cruiser crossed over into the oncoming lane and struck the trio of cyclists at about 40 mph, according to the SF Chronicle.
Tragic.
Comments
As a long time cyclist, and having ridden Stephens Road in a 100 mile ride, this really hit home. This is a tragedy, and made even more dramatic because it happened to a law enforcement officer. However it is quite likely even the deputy would have been killed if he had hit a car instead of the cyclists. Those who ride bicycles and motorcycles do so usually with the full understanding if you tangle with a car you will probably lose. Most experienced cyclists use a rear view mirror of some kind to avoid getting hit from behind, but when someone falls asleep or is drunk or something and comes at you head on there is not much you can do about it. Very sad for all involved.
Posted by: Hayduke | March 11, 2008 11:53 AM