I posted this about 4 months ago. I'm asking you to please read it again. There is new information at the end.
A perfect late summer day. Not a cloud in the sky, very light breeze from the north. Three P.M. He was riding his bike, (bicycle) home from work. He was about 6 miles from his driveway. Out in the country, wide, smooth 2 lane straight road.
She was on her way home from grocery shopping. While she was driving, she decided to change the CD she was listening to. As she was reaching for a new CD, she swerved slightly and ran him down from behind going 55 mph.
Brian Kennedy ... a friend and fellow bike club member. We rode together often. Two kids, a girl 15 and a boy 10. A wife. He's dead. He was 42.
I'm so fucking mad I could eat railroad spikes like they were jello. Goddammit people, pay attention to what the fuck you're doing out there. Hang up those motherfucking cell phones. You want to make/take a call? Then pull over into a parking lot and do it. You are giving your phone calls higher priority than human lives. It just couldn't be that important. "Hi honey, I'll be home in a few minutes. I love you." Fucking morons. Want to find a new CD. Then STOP and do it. Don't go looking behind the visor, in the map pockets or on the floor while you're driving! What the hell is wrong with you? Don't you have the LEAST fucking clue?? You're piloting 1.5 - 2 ton vehicle, sometimes at high speeds. You can kill, maim, cripple, and otherwise injure people. And I'm not talking about just the one's you may actually hit.
I couldn't begin to count the times I've seen people reading maps, newspapers, and even books while driving at high speeds in rush hour traffic. To me, it's just beyond belief that someone would actually do that. STUPID, STUPID, STUPID! There's no other word for it. Just stupid!
If you ask anyone, and I mean anyone, if they're a good driver, they're going to tell you yes. Everybody thinks they're a good driver. Everyone. Nobody will ever even say they're an average driver. No, we're all very good or excellent. This is especially true of the people who frequent this board. This is a car enthuiast site. "Damn right I'm good driver." Oh yeah? Then prove it. Act like it. You read, change CD's, or use the cell phone while driving? In my book, that makes you a poor driver. To me a good driver is one who concentrates on what they're doing. Sure, they can handle their car in all conditions, they can double clutch, power shift, drift, trail brake, stop on a dime & give you 9 cents change. But most important of all?...................they concentrate on what they're doing. They don't play ice so loudly that they can't hear sirens. They watch where they're going, what they're doing, are courteous and respectful of other road users.
And for those few of you who might be thinking something like, "Well, it's a shame, but bikes shouldn't be on a road like that anyway, they should be ridden on sidewalks. After all, bikes are toys. They're for kids. He should have known better than to be there." That's like telling the family of someone that's just been killed in a shooting, "Well, he should have known better than to go outside. BULLSHIT!
Here's a fucking news bulletin for you. Bikes have exactly the same rights and responsibilities to be on the roads that you do. And we're going to be there. So watch for us. You're a good driver? I hope to hell you're proving that every single time you get behind the wheel.
Tomorrow I'll mourn. I'm just too fucking mad right now.
I posted this some months ago. The woman that ran down Brian like he was a dog, finally went to trial and was found guilty.
Her penalty?
A $150 fine.
Some things just aren't right. Just not right at all.
____________________ If you can't read this, you're illiterate.
I woulda thought that would bring up Manslaughter, unintentional, but still causing the death of another. $150 wtf, I've paid more for going 16 over the speed limit on 95! Was it the State prosecuting?
That is just wrong, there is nothing for that retard to learn from a tiny little fine. She should have gotten a ton worse than that. Like the electric chair......
____________________ 2001 Focus Street Edition, tons of mods but I will never be done....
At least some jail time... 3rd degree unintentional manslaughter anyone?
____________________ Project FocusFast
'06 ZX3- Intake, exhaust, mount
'01 ZX3- Salvaged, SOLD
'01 ZX3- Repo'd several years ago
'80 RX7 SA- Where the f*** did THAT come from?
she should have gotten more than just a puny little fine. Jail time would be good. Those poor kids, I couldn't even imagine my kids having to be without their dad because of some stupid ass driver.
____________________ Lovin' My ZX3!!!! I finally gave it a name
SMKNS2!!!!
Seriously, if I were the person suing this stupid bitch, I would be appealing and bringing this to a higher ground. $150 bucks?? Talk about a slap on the wrist.
You know what...I wish her information was public...I'd be one to send her a postcard letting here know that she's known all over the world as a killer!
jerks...$150 - IMHO the punishment should fit the crime. At least put her on a road, riding a bike and have someone run into her. See if she makes it out alive.
idiots. I tell you I see it every single day! ppl. on your cell phones...no offense to our members here, but hang that damn thing UP! I can't tell you how many times in just ONE day I have to outmaneuver cell phone headed morons! Worst offenders that I've found - young, inexperienced females with a car load of kids. ugh...give me a badge and a gun...I'll clear the streets for ya!
____________________ Get in, Sit down, Shut up and HANG ON!
The official explanation was that they could only charge her with a traffic violation. Vehicular manslaughter and/or more serious crimes need proof of intent. Since there was no such proof, no charges could be brought.
The family is suing in civil court. That should yield considerably more than $150.
But then again..................................................who knows?
____________________ If you can't read this, you're illiterate.
It better!! Not that any money is a substitution for the life of their father/husband/friend, but 150 is an insult to the gravity of the act. It's absurd to even imagine someone could give out a fine like that.
lil duratec wrote: It better!! Not that any money is a substitution for the life of their father/husband/friend, but 150 is an insult to the gravity of the act. It's absurd to even imagine someone could give out a fine like that.
I agree with that !!! $150 is a jike because she took a life and I thought that mansalaughter could be with no intent. I always thought that that is why manslaughter came about. I will check with my dad on that one.
____________________ Lovin' My ZX3!!!! I finally gave it a name
SMKNS2!!!!
I can say that they are prosecuting someone here in NH after he hit a pedestrian w/ his car. How's that for manslaughter? HE's going to jail...why isn't this bozo?
the world is upside down.
____________________ Get in, Sit down, Shut up and HANG ON!
she should have gotten more than just a puny little fine. Jail time would be good. Those poor kids, I couldn't even imagine my kids having to be without their dad because of some stupid ass driver.
