Read the full story here Web Link posted Thursday, July 18, 2013, 3:56 PM
Town Square
Driver who struck bicycling boy won't be charged
Original post made on Jul 18, 2013
Read the full story here Web Link posted Thursday, July 18, 2013, 3:56 PM
Comments (8)
Posted by Disgusted!
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Jul 18, 2013 at 4:13 pm
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Jul 18, 2013 at 4:13 pm
[Post removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]
Posted by RMRN
a resident of Midtown
on Jul 18, 2013 at 10:07 pm
RMRN is a registered user.
a resident of Midtown
on Jul 18, 2013 at 10:07 pm
RMRN is a registered user.
I am frustrated to realize that we have decided to allow such dangerous vehicle operation without real consequences. At minimum, anyone who seriously injures someone through careless driving should lose their driving privileges. This makes the bike lane sound like a dangerous place.
Posted by rick
a resident of Midtown
on Jul 18, 2013 at 11:23 pm
rick is a registered user.
a resident of Midtown
on Jul 18, 2013 at 11:23 pm
rick is a registered user.
Can you seriously injure someone through *careful* driving?
Posted by Alphonso
a resident of Los Altos Hills
on Jul 19, 2013 at 6:34 am
Alphonso is a registered user.
a resident of Los Altos Hills
on Jul 19, 2013 at 6:34 am
Alphonso is a registered user.
Bad decision - anytime a driver hits someone in a bike lane or a crosswalk there should be a penalty, even if it is 15 days of community service. Stop excusing bad drivers!
Posted by Eva_PA
a resident of Ventura
on Jul 19, 2013 at 11:10 am
Eva_PA is a registered user.
a resident of Ventura
on Jul 19, 2013 at 11:10 am
Eva_PA is a registered user.
I am aghast that the DA doesn't think they can get more than a misdemeanor conviction from this case. The driver admitted that he was going 25-35 mph in a 25 mph zone AND there was a trace amount of a methamphetamines in his system AND he hit a child riding in the bike lane. "We could not find a single case where similar driving was found to be 'reckless.'"
Hitting a person in the bike lane is only a misdemeanor???
I am so saddened for the Lerrick family and can't imagine the pain they must be feeling after dealing with the tragedy and now being told that there is no justice for their son.
What laws need to be changed so a future crime like this can be prosecuted?
Posted by teresa_w
a resident of Mountain View
on Jul 19, 2013 at 11:16 am
teresa_w is a registered user.
a resident of Mountain View
on Jul 19, 2013 at 11:16 am
teresa_w is a registered user.
I'm not sure how this isn't reckless driving. "small amount of methamphetamine in his blood"? Sounds to me like someone went on a binge and didn't sleep for 3 days hindering his ability to safely operate the vehicle.
Posted by Minimizing Entrophy
a resident of Evergreen Park
on Jul 19, 2013 at 11:28 am
Minimizing Entrophy is a registered user.
a resident of Evergreen Park
on Jul 19, 2013 at 11:28 am
Minimizing Entrophy is a registered user.
This is why we need the 3 foot passing law that the insurance industry has been fighting against.
Maybe it he can't be prosecuted on a criminal basis but I would like to see him spend some time doing something for the community. He did after all drive without a license and hit a cyclist.
It would be criminal not do do something!!!!
Posted by Trainspotting
a resident of Charleston Gardens
on Jul 19, 2013 at 6:11 pm
Trainspotting is a registered user.
a resident of Charleston Gardens
on Jul 19, 2013 at 6:11 pm
Trainspotting is a registered user.
It does sound a bit strange where the DA will NOT prosecute even though the driver has already admitted fault. Perhaps, the DA is afraid to set forward a precedence of charging a crime against a driver who hits a cyclist, let alone with meth in his system?
I don't accept this "lack of evidence" as face value. Then again, I'm not a DA under the scrutiny of internal politics.
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