Archive for Bikes & the Law

Alaska scumbag beats kid for bike; a call for reforming California bike theft laws

One of the highlights of last Sunday’s River Ride, for me at least, was seeing a young boy and his father stopped on their bikes to watch all the riders zip by. And the big smile on his face when I gave him a thumbs up as I passed.

Never in a million years would have occurred to me to beat the crap out of him to steal his bike.

Yet that’s exactly what a man did in Anchorage, Alaska on Sunday.

According to the Anchorage Daily News, 32-year old Edward Syvinski tried to force a 7-year old girl off her bike. When she resisted, he punched her in the head, knocking her off the bike and onto the ground, where she lost consciousness.

He then punched her several more times before rifling through her pockets — in front of witnesses, no less. Police aren’t sure if he took anything, but what’s a 7-year girl likely to have on her that’s worth stealing, anyway?

This attack came just moments after he punched the father of a 17-year old boy, who had objected to Syvinsky accosting his son and rifling through a bag he was carrying.

Fortunately, police were able to make an arrest, handcuffing his hands and feet when he tried to fight back.

And yes, I do hope they hurt him. Frankly, I almost wish they’d taken a page from the old LAPD playbook and gone Rodney King on his miserable ass.

But that’s just me.

Syvinski faces two counts of assault and one count of robbery when he’s discharged from a local hospital, where he was taken for medical clearance.

Meanwhile, his victim remains hospitalized in critical but stable condition.

I have no sympathy for anyone who tries to steal a bike, and far less for anyone who would hurt another human being to do it — let alone a child.

His lawyer will undoubtedly claim that he was on something at the time of the attack — and based on the description of the events, it’s probably true. But anyone who could do something like that, high or not, deserves to go away for a very, very long time.

Thanks to Rex Reese for the heads-up.

……..

That brings up another point.

Under current California law, which was changed just at the beginning of this year, the theft of anything valued at less than $950 is considered a petty crime.

Which means walking off with the overwhelming majority of bikes on the road would merit little more than a slap on the wrist. Even though many people rely on their bikes every bit as much as most Californians rely on their cars to get around.

And even though the loss of a bike can be severely disruptive to the owner’s life — not to mention aggravating as hell.

I grew up in a part of the West where the penalty for horse theft used to be hanging. Which was usually conducted on the spot without bothering with the formalities of a trial, let alone a jury.

While that may be a little extreme, it’s time we recognized that the value of a bike goes far beyond its replacement costs. And change the law to reflect the seriousness of the crime and the effect that theft can have on the life of its owner.

Because it doesn’t matter whether a bike is worth $400 or $4000 if it’s your primary means of transportation.

Or simply your primary means of maintaining your health and fitness.

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In upcoming events, the L.A. Bicycle Advisory Committee holds their bi-monthly meeting tonight in Hollywood, and CicLAvia is holding a meeting on Wednesday to discuss expansion into Chinatown.

The L.A. Sheriff’s Department Cycling Team is hosting the R2R LASD Cyclefest this Saturday, June 11, with rides of 17, 34 and 62 miles. The ride supports Road 2 Recovery to benefit the rehabilitation of wounded veterans, and starts at 8 am at Malibu/Lost Hills Station, 27050 Agoura Road, Agoura, 91301.

And the OC Wheelmen’s annual Ride Around the Bear Century rolls this Saturday.

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Mark your calendar for the weekend of July 15th, when life as we know it will end for many Angelenos, as the 405 freeway — the main artery connecting the Westside to the Valley — will be closed for construction.

While news reporters and city officials are treating this relative non-event with the same sort of frenzy that preceded the non-rapture last month, many cyclists are unlikely to even notice.

However, KCRW chief engineer Steve Herbert offered a great suggestion.

Since July’s planned CicLAvia has been cancelled anyway, why not take advantage of the closure and allow bikes to ride the 405 as sort of a mini-cicLAvia?

Why not, indeed?

I mean, other than the risk of things falling onto cyclists from the Sunset Blvd bridge they’re dismantling. But that could be avoided by keeping bikes away from the actual construction zone.

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Safe Routes to School recaps their recent meeting with the L.A. Unified School District. KABC-7 looks at Sunday’s successful L.A. River Ride, while LACBC offers photos and Will Campbell provides a timelapse of Saturday’s route marking. The Bike Plan Implementation Team (BPIT) meets Tuesday at 2 pm. LADOT prepares to finally close the bike lane gap on Reseda Blvd. The Times’ Steve Lopez asks if newly appointed LADOT head Jaime De la Vega — aka the Hummer Guy — can fix L.A.’s transportation problems; Damien Newton wants your questions for De La Vega for an upcoming interview. Rick Risemberg notes that bikes create community; a writer on Risemberg’s Bicycle Fixation blog offers a truly in-depth look at bike parking. Distance cyclist Matt Ruscigno offers great advice to riders trying to get in the habit: just go. Claremont installs new bike racks and sharrows to make the city safer and more inviting for cyclists. A volunteer bike valet discusses what it’s like to park 1200 bikes a day. Long Beach launches the nation’s first Bicycle Friendly Business Districts; might be a great idea to revitalize troubled L.A. neighborhoods like Westwood. Remarkably, Corona del Mar’s Bike Safety Committee steps up to protect the biking and motoring public from sharrows. Seismic retrofit work is about to make the Golden Gate Bridge dangerous for cyclists and pedestrians. Is it time to replace bicycle advocacy with marketing?

Bike/Ped spending is expected to increase in the Senate Transportation Bill, despite GOP opposition. U.S. DOT Secretary Ray LaHood bikes to work; maybe he read Andy Clarke’s eight-step guide to getting back on a bike as an adult. Bicycling offers an interesting look at bike helmets, saying current models may not offer as much protection as you think. Commute by Bike reviews the odd Strida folding bike, calling it the Ethiopian food of bikes; don’t worry, it makes sense once you read it. Chicago will get its first protected bike lane; maybe L.A. will get one soon. The crackdown on scofflaw cyclists moves west, as Chicago becomes the next city to tackle law-breaking riders. The New York Times discovers Randonneuring. A look at NYC’s three-way streets. A DC cyclist is beaten when he attempts to call police to report an altercation involving another rider and a group of motorists. Sometimes two tubes and three air cartridges aren’t enough.

A Toronto writer asks if cyclists are being selfish and rude. Academics say separated bikeways are the key to getting more Brits on the road; most consider bikes children’s toys or something for hobbyists. Meanwhile, a survey say UK residents want more questions about cycling on the drivers’ test. A look at London’s biking paramedics from a medical perspective. Accused doper Riccardo Ricco is cleared to race, though a long way from the top tier pro tour he used to ride.

Finally, the Atlantic demands that Lance Armstrong’s lawyers apologize for holding the collective intelligence of the American public in such obvious contempt. And Sarah Palin’s bus nearly hits a cyclist as they routinely speed and blow through traffic signals, while crotch-tweeter Congressman Anthony Weiner’s prospects of ripping out all those New York bike lanes looks a little dimmer this morning; Grist says his position on bike lanes makes him more than one body part.

Yet another bike rider murdered, this time in North Hollywood

Maybe they didn’t get the memo.

As most cyclists know, the way to get away with killing a bike rider in this country is to run him down with your car, then claim you just didn’t see him.

Yet SoCal criminals insist on using a gun, instead.

For the 5th time in the last 6 months, a bike rider has been shot and killed, this time on the 6800 block of Laurel Canyon Blvd in North Hollywood. The Times reports that the victim has not been identified yet.

According to KABC-7, the shooting occurred around 1:40 this morning; police arrived to find a man in his early 20s lying in the street next to his bike, dead from a single gunshot wound to the torso.

At about the same time, a nearby sheriff’s deputy chased a white ’95 Chevrolet Astro Van after seeing five or six people take off in it, but lost it in a solo pursuit. It was later discovered abandoned several miles away at the intersection of Sherman Way and Tyrone Ave; KABC reports police have identified the van’s owner, and that it has not been reported stolen.

Not surprisingly, the killing is suspected to be gang-related.

Valencia sentencing delayed, upcoming events and a little light reading for your holiday weekend

Dj Wheels reports that yesterday’s scheduled sentencing for Marco Antonio Valencia in the drunken and stoned hit-and-run death of cyclist Joseph Novotny has been delayed until next month.

The defense has challenged Valencia’s conviction based on a charge of juror misconduct. As a result, the judge has continued sentencing until June 28th, when he will rule on the defense motion: if he denies the motion, sentencing will take place on the spot, if not, there is a possibility of a retrial in the case.

Despite the delay, the judge allowed Novotny’s widow and family to give their victim impact statements for the record. Wheels reports that each one spoke movingly about the deep sadness that resulted from his death, as well as his kind and unselfish nature; Novotny’s mother also offered photos of Joseph to Valencia’s family.

………

A blogging caregiver discusses how to keep new drivers safe, reminding parents of something that will resonate with many cyclists:

New drivers must realize that a car is a dangerous weapon and it is critical that they focus on their driving and be cognizant of everything around them.

Most not-so-new drivers could use the same reminder, as well.

Thanks to Stanley Goldich for the heads-up.

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In Giro d’Italia news, the erotically named Eros Capecchi wins Stage 18, while Paolo Tiralongo wins Stage 19 as race leader Alberto Contador declines to contest the finish against his former teammate.

Speaking of Contador, his appeal hearing on doping charges has been delayed, and probably won’t be concluded until after the Tour de France. Which means if he wins yet another victory this year, it could be invalidated afterwards — if he’s even allowed to compete with the cloud hanging over his head.

Meanwhile, the Atlantic says it’s impossible to separate the doping accused Lance from the anti-cancer do-gooder; the Times’ Bill Dwyre is troubled that more people aren’t troubled.

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The holiday weekend is a little quiet on the local bike scene, but a lot of events wait just down the road.

Bike Talk airs every Saturday at 10 am; listen to it live or download the podcast from KPFK.

San Gabriel Valley riders can meet for a Memorial Day Weekend “What-the-Heck” ride on Sunday, May 29th; meet at Granada Park near Fremont Ave and Montezuma Ave in Alhambra at 9 am, with the ride rolling at 9:30.

Santa Monica hosts Bike It! Day on Wednesday, June 1st, to encourage local students to bike and walk to school.

Saturday, June 4th, the Palms Neighborhood Council and the LAPD’s Pacific Division is sponsoring the 2011 Bike Rodeo from 10 am to 2 pm at Palms Elementary School, 3520 Motor Ave; events include a bike safety course, safety inspection, radar speed test and a bike giveaway, as well as live entertainment and free food.

Folk Art Everywhere explores the historic West Adams District on their next bike tour on Saturday, June 4th; expect an easy, fun and fascinating ride perfect for beginning to moderate cyclists. Meet at Mercado La Paloma, 3655 S. Grand Avenue in Los Angeles, at 11 am, with the ride starting at 11:15.

Flying Pigeon hosts their monthly Brewery Ride on Saturday, June 4th from 3 to 5:30 pm, followed by the Spoke(n) Art Ride on Saturday, June 11 and the Get Sum Dim Sum Ride on Sunday, June 19th. All rides meet at Flying Pigeon Bike Shop, 3714 North Figueroa Street in Highland Park.

Join me, and thousands of other cyclists at L.A.’s favorite fundraiser ride on Sunday, June 5th with the 11th Annual River Rideadvance registration is open through Wednesday the 1st; use special discount code TEDBC11 (case sensitive) to get a $10 discount on online registration courtesy of BikingInLA. Volunteers are still needed, and based on my experience last year, it’s about as much fun as you can have without actually riding; email RRvolunteer@la-bike.org for more info and to sign up.

If you can make it up to Sacramento on Sunday, June 12th, Ride4Matt is sponsoring a charity ride to benefit Matthew Wietrick, who was seriously injured while riding last February. Choose from routes of 10, 35 and 70 miles, with a $7 BBQ lunch after the ride; donations gratefully accepted.

Also on Sunday, June 12th, Flying Pigeon is hosting an evening with Yves Engler and Bianca Mugyenyi, authors of “Stop Signs: Cars and Capitalism on the Road to Economic, Social and Ecological Decay.” It takes place beginning at 7 pm at Flying Pigeon, 3714 North Figueroa Street in Highland Park.

Flying Pigeon Bike Shop will host a fundraising bike ride and party to benefit Streetsblog LA on Friday, June 17th, beginning and ending at Flying Pigeon, 3714 North Figueroa Street in Highland Park; ride meets at 6 pm, with party to follow at 8 pm.

The July 10th CicLAvia has been cancelled, but the October 9th event is a definite go, with an expanded route taking participants another 2.5 miles into Boyle Heights.

Tuesday, August 30th, Santa Monica’s Library Alehouse will host a benefit night for Streetsblog LA; 5% of all food and drink purchases will benefit Streetsblog; 2911 Main Street.

And mark your calendar for the 2011 L.A. edition of the Tour de Fat on October 9th; you’d think someone in the scheduling department would have noticed that the 9th is Yom Kippur this year.

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Austin Nichols meets the Queen Mary in the LACBC’s third River Ride promo. Two-wheeled sight seeing tour company Bike and Hikes LA opens a West Hollywood storefront. A Santa Clara University professor is seriously injured in a classic left cross collision, while the local paper blames the victim. A 75-year old Corning cyclist is killed after riding through a stop sign into oncoming traffic — just two doors from his own home. Another unidentified cyclist is killed in Tulare County — the driver claims he just didn’t see him, but doesn’t explain why he was driving on the shoulder; thanks to Danny Gamboa for the link. San Francisco’s first bike lane celebrates it’s 40th birthday.

As gas prices increase ridership, lawmakers continue to gut bike programs. Good busts popular myths about biking. A Tucson-area cyclist develops a one-ear ear pod that funnels your full iPod output into a single channel. Colorado National Monument celebrates it’s 100th birthday by denying the new USA Pro Cycling Challenge a permit to follow the Tour of the Moon course made famous by the late Coors Classic. Kansas becomes the 14th state to require interlock devices for drunk drivers; something we seem to desperately need here. Chicago talks about protected bike lanes. New York cyclists prepare a class action lawsuit in response to the NYPD’s heavy-handed crackdown. The anti-bike bikelash spreads to Philadelphia; Stanley Goldich reminds us about Bob Mionske’s insightful look at the subject.

Toronto’s new mayor seems to like bike lanes, as long as they don’t get slow down cars. Three years later, British authorities decline to file charges in the death of a 17-year old cyclist; and I thought our justice system was slow. Czech artists develop another DIY bike lane that’s projected in front of you as you ride. Cape Town, South Africa is named one of the world’s 15 most bike-friendly cities; from what I’ve read, the rest of the country has a long way to go. Jakarta cyclists turn out for the official opening of the city’s first bike lane.

Finally, a British rider barely avoids becoming the meat in a bus sandwich. And apparently, my 15 minutes of fame has extended into a blind Bike Snob link; by my calculation, that leaves about 12 minutes and 37 seconds left.

Legal update: DUI driver arraigned for injuring Adam Rybicki, Valencia sentencing today

These days, it seems like there are as many court cases involving cyclists than there are riders on the streets.

Fortunately, cyclist/attorney Dj Wheels has done his usual great job of keeping us up to date with the latest legal proceedings — including charges against the under-aged, allegedly intoxicated driver who ran down who hit Adam Rybicki head on, and Thursday’s sentencing for Marco Antonio Valencia, convicted in the hit-and-run DUI death of Joseph Novotny.

Editor’s Note: While Dj Wheels provided updates on these cases, any commentary or information beyond the actual status of the cases are mine. So blame me, not him.

Jaclyn Andrea Garcia:  Charges were filed May 19th at the Torrance Courthouse for the DUI collision that critically injured cyclist Adam Rybicki this past April. The Supervising Judge recused all the judges there from hearing the case, with no public explanation for his actions; however, rumor has it that Garcia’s mother is a court reporter in Torrance, which would explain the recusal.

As a result, arraignment was held Tuesday in Department 5 of the Inglewood Courthouse, Case #YA081126. Garcia’s attorney, George Bird, entered a plea of not guilty to all four counts:

1) CVC 23153(a) – DUI w/ injury
2) CVC 23153(b) – DUI w/ BAC over .08 and injury
3) CVC 23153(a) – DUI w/ injury
4) CVC 23153(b) – DUI w/ BAC over .08 and injury

Bird also informed the court on the record that his client has voluntarily surrendered her driver’s license, entered into a three-month alcohol program, voluntarily attended 18 Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, and has begun electronic alcohol monitoring with the SCRAM device made famous by Hollywood’s favorite outlaw.

Too bad it’s just a little too late.

Had Garcia sobered up a few months earlier, Adam Rybicki might not be in a coma right now, the victim of a 20-year old woman still drunk and behind the wheel at 7:15 in the morning.

And you can bet that none of the actions Garcia took in surrendering her license or entering rehab were her idea; it was no doubt ordered by her attorney in an attempt to show remorse and get his client released with nothing more than a slap on the wrist.

After all, it’s worked for any number of Hollywood celebrities, whose first stop after hitting the tabloids is usually a stint in luxury rehab.

And by all accounts, Garcia’s high-priced attorney knows what he’s doing. Maybe if Dr. Thompson’s attorney had ordered him straight into rehab, he might be a free man today.

Let’s hope that the court takes this case seriously, and doesn’t let yet another driver buy her way out of taking responsibility.

Speaking of the infamous Good Doctor:

Dr. Christopher Thompson:  The date for oral arguments has been continued upon the court’s own motion in the appeal of Dr. Thompson’s conviction for intentionally injuring two cyclists in Mandeville Canyon by slamming on his brakes in front of them.  The new date is now 6/29/11.

Marco Antonio ValenciaValenica was convicted last month in the hit-and run DUI death of cyclist Joseph Novotny. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for today (Thursday) at the San Fernando Court; he faces up to 24 year to life in prison.

Shawn Fields:  Fields is charged with the hit-and-run DUI death of 17-year old cyclist Danny Marin in Pacoima last October. Fields reportedly told investigators that he thought he might have hit something, because he remembered seeing sparkly dust flying over him — from the windshield shattered by Marin’s body. Pretrial/Trial Setting Conference is scheduled for 6/22.

Patrick Roraff & Brett Morin:  Roraff and Morin are charged with causing the death of rising pro cyclist Jorge Alvarado in April of last year. The two were allegedly street racing when Roraff lost control and slammed into Alvarado, who was riding on the opposite shoulder. Pretrial conference is scheduled for 7/7.

Stephanie Drew Segal:  Segal is charged with the hit-and-run DUI death of cyclist James Laing in Agoura last year (notice a theme here?). She allegedly plowed into Laing after leaving a local wine tasting room, and entered into a rehab facility after her arrest. Preliminary setting is scheduled for 6/28; Wheels notes that the docket says the DA has been ordered to have victims present, which is unusual for this type of hearing.

Renato Demartino:  Demartino is charged with the hit-and-run death of 22-year old cyclist Marco Acuapan, who died in April, four months after he was allegedly hit by Demartino’s car while riding in a bike lane in Tustin. A pretrial conference scheduled for 6/1.

Danae Marie Miller:  Miller is charged with the death of world-class triathlete Amine Britel; she was allegedly drunk and texting when she rear-ended Britel, who was riding in a marked bike lane. Pretrial conference scheduled for 7/15.

Captain John David Hines:  Hines, a Long Beach Fire Captain, is accused of plowing into cyclist Jeffrey Gordon, then fleeing the scene, despite legal, and professional, obligations to stop and render aid. He had allegedly been drinking for hours in a local bar before getting behind the wheel, and had a BAC of .24 at the time of his arrest — three times the legal limit. And once again, he reportedly checked into rehab right after his arrest. Pretrial conference scheduled for 6/17.

Satnam Singh:  Singh is charged with killing 20-year old college student Nick Haverland in yet another hit-and-run DUI — this time, in a hit-and-run rampage involving three separate collisions in a matter of minutes that left five people injured and Haverland dead. Pretrial conference scheduled for 6/14; Singh remains in custody with the Ventura County Sheriff.

71-year old Canoga Park man killed by hit-and-run driver

In yet another fatal hit-and-run, a 71-year old Canoga Park man died of injuries he received while riding in a crosswalk around 12:15 pm Saturday.

According to the Daily News, Eduardo Perez was hit by a small black 4-door SUV in a right hook collision while riding his bike at the intersection of Sherman Way and Canoga Avenue. The vehicle was traveling east on Sherman Way when it hit Perez while turning onto Canoga; the driver fled without stopping.

Perez died Monday in a local hospital.

Anyone with information is urged to call Detective Danny Martinez at 818-644-8032 or Detective I. Krajchir at 818-644-8034; or cal Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

This is the 7th fatal hit-and-run in Southern California this year, and the 10th bike-related death in L.A. County since the first of the year.

In related news, police have identified a suspect in last month’s hit-and-run death of 17-year old Alex Romero, killed on De Soto Avenue when he was run down by a speeding driver attempting to pass a large vehicle on the right.

The LAPD is being tight-lipped about the details while they attempt to make an arrest.

Satnam Singh to be arraigned today for Wednesday’s drunken triple hit-and-run rampage in Ventura

According to cyclist/attorney Dj Wheels, Satnam Singh will be arraigned today for the alleged triple hit-and-run rampage on Telegraph Road in Ventura.

Singh’s drive home from work Wednesday evening left five people injured, starting with a mother and daughter riding their bikes single file in the bike lane, followed by a family stopped at a red light in their pickup. And ended, tragically, with the death of 20-year old Ventura College student Nick Haverland as he road his bike to take his final exams.

And yes, I’m resisting the urge to call it murder. Just barely.

Let alone what I think about someone who could do this.

It is possible that Singh was so drunk he had no idea what he was doing. But I’m waiting to see what his blood alcohol level was at the time of his arrest; speaking strictly for myself, I’d consider anything less than .20 to be proof of intent.

If you’re in the Ventura area today, I’d strongly suggest attending the arraignment if you can. A room full of cyclists would go a long way towards showing just how seriously we take this case.

Wheels reports the hearing will take place in Room 13 of the Ventura County Superior Court, 800 South Victoria in Ventura. If you can make there, I’ll be happy to share whatever thoughts or impressions you may have.

Meanwhile, thanks to the Ventura County Star for their moving profile of Haverland; I’ve complained many times that press coverage too often reports the barest facts following a collision, without ever giving a hint of the human being behind the story.

The Star makes it very clear just who he was.

And that his death was a loss, not just for his family and friends, but for all of us.

Update: Rampaging hit-and-run Hummer driver kills one cyclist, injures five other people

Unbelievable.

Starting around 6:50 pm Wednesday, 49-year old Satnam Singh of Ventura allegedly went on a drunken rampage on that city’s Telegraph Road, leaving trail of victims in his in wake.

Five people were injured — including a mother and her 13-year old daughter riding their bikes single file in the bike lane. Tragically, 20-year old Ventura College student Nick Haverland was killed while riding his bike with a friend on their way to take their last finals, just three miles from the school.

A police spokesman said Singh was traveling westbound on his way home from his job in Santa Paula when the carnage began, first hitting the two women, leaving them with injuries including broken bones. He then fled the scene before plowing into a pickup stopped for a red light at Petit Avenue, injuring a couple and their 16 year-old son.

Once again, he kept going, eventually drifting into the bike lane to smash into Haverland near the intersection of Mara Avenue; a witness reports an extremely hard collision, apparently killing Haverland instantly.

Again, he fled from the scene, this time followed by a witness — possibly the friend Haverland had been riding with — eventually stopping at his home on the 100 block of Kennedy Avenue, just one block south of Telegraph.

When police arrived, Singh was still sitting inside his vehicle, which some have identified as a Hummer H3; the vehicle had significant damage, and police were unable to open the driver’s side door as a result. Singh refused to exit his Hummer, resulting in a 20 minute standoff.

Police eventually entered from the rear hatch and dragged Singh out; he was reportedly taken to Ventura County Medical Center for treatment of bite wounds from police dogs.

It’s just too bad that the drunken S.O.B. was probably too intoxicated to feel them.

Inexplicably, the police report identified the exact address of Singh’s home, almost inviting retaliatory attacks against the driver; like the other press reports, I’m refraining from posting it here or linking to the report for that reason.

I hope everyone has the sense to refrain from retaliation and let the justice system do its job.

Singh was arrested on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, felony hit-and-run and felony DUI. The investigation is ongoing, and hopefully will result in adding murder charge for Haverland’s death.

The first collision could have been the result of a drunken error. But it’s difficult to argue that by the third collision, it was anything but an intentional act.

According to the Ventura County Star, Haverland was a 2009 graduate of Ventura’s Foothill Technology High School. His former principal describes him as “a great kid,” reporting that both staff and students are very upset by the news.

As an aside, Rex Reese emailed that Singh’s name is an anagram for Man Ass Thing.

Works for me.

One thing is certain. Life as he knew it is over for Singh.

Life for Haverland is just over.

My heartfelt sympathy to the family and friend’s of Nick Haverland, and best wishes to all the victims.

Breaking news: Rampaging hit-and-run Hummer driver kills one cyclist, injures four other people

According to KTLA-5, which was the first to post the news several sources are reporting, a rampaging hit-and-run driver was involved in three separate collisions in Ventura Thursday night, resulting in four injuries and one fatality.

In what appears to be a either an intentional assault or a case of extreme intoxication, the 49-year first collided with a mother and daughter riding their bikes, leaving both with minor injuries. He then hit another vehicle, also injuring the occupants slightly, before hitting a third cyclist and killing him.

According to KNBC-4, the victim was a male college student riding with a friend on his way to Ventura College to take his last finals. All three collisions occurred along Ventura’s Telegraph Road.

KNBC identifies the suspect as 49-year old Satnam Singh, who was arrested after a standoff at his home in the 100 block of Kennedy Avenue.

Joseph Fernandez ordered to stand trial in the hit-and-run death of Jim Swarzman

One month to the day after Encino endurance cyclist Jim Swarzman was killed by a hit-and-run driver, charges have been filed against the man accused in his death.

Forty-six-year old Carlsbad resident Joseph Ricardo Fernandez was ordered to stand trial July 11 on a single count of hit-and-run causing death. Although I wouldn’t count on that; this early in the process, trials seldom take place on the date originally scheduled.

Fernandez had his bail cut in half, from $100,000 to $50,000. As it now stands, he faces a maximum of just four years in prison if convicted.

Someone will have to explain to me why he is only charged with hit-and-run, rather than facing trial for actually killing another human being, whether through drunkenness, distraction or carelessness.

San Diego’s 10News, which has offered the most in-depth coverage to date, quotes Swarzman’s fiancée Nicole Honda testifying that she saw a flash of light before hearing what she described as an explosion.

“I saw something orange flying from behind me across to the side of the road,” said Honda.

Honda said a few seconds later she realized it was her fiancé being thrown into the air….

“I dropped my bike and started screaming and ran over to him and called 911,” said Honda. “He was struggling to breathe. I heard him trying to breathe.”

Swarzman died several hours later; Fernandez turned himself in the next day, saying he thought he might have hit something. However, every description and detail I’ve heard suggests a collision so violent it would have been impossible not to know he’d struck Swarzman.

Fernandez next court appearance is a readiness conference scheduled for June 6th.

………

On a brighter note, Jim Lyle reports that Richard Schlickman, critically injured last March when his bike hit new unmarked speed bumps in Palos Verdes Estates, is showing significant improvement.

The word isn’t as good for Adam Rybicki, hit head-on by an alleged underage drunk driver last month. He has been moved to a sub-acute care facility, though his condition remains unchanged.

Long Beach fire captain John Hines arraigned for drunken hit-and-run

An anonymous reader sent me the following email this morning.

In case it slipped under your radar, yesterday Fire Captain John D. Hines entered a preliminary plea of not guilty to three of his felony charges in the hit-and-run of of Jeffrey Gordon.  A judge then inexplicably denied the prosecutor’s request to increase the bail amount fivefold to $250,000, which incidentally was the amount of the arrest warrant issued on April 26th.  Hines has retained a bulldog of an attorney with a great deal of experience in keeping dangerous drivers on the streets.

Hines’ EMT certificate, #E030577, has not been revoked, and probably is not under review.

The writer goes on to note that Hines is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on June 17th.

And yes, it did slide under my radar, even though I’ve been following this case and scan the news for anything bike-related several times a day. So a big thanks for forwarding this information.

When I went back to look again after receiving the email, I found a number of stories like this one in the Contra Costa Times, each containing the same news release, virtually word for word, about Hines arraignment for running down a cyclist, then hitting the gas and fleeing the scene. And adding little to the story beyond what you see above.

Credit then, to the Los Alamitos-Seal Beach Patch, which took the time to dig a little deeper into the story — including noting, as we speculated, that Hines reportedly had checked himself into rehab following his initial arrest.

No doubt at the suggestion of the afore mentioned bulldog attorney, Vince Tucci, in the hopes of getting leniency from the court.

Hines faces a maximum of six years and eight months if convicted on the felony DUi and hit-and-run charges; two hours after the collision, his blood alcohol level was .24, three times the legal limit of .08.

“Instead of staying to render aid, he left the victim like common road kill in a pool of blood, and fled the scene…it is egregious,” Deputy District Attorney Andrew Katz said last week. “It’s 1 in the afternoon, he’s three times the legal limit. He’s a firefighter, no less, someone whose job it is to aid people in medical distress. It’s not some 18-year-old kid who had too much to drink. He knows better. He should know better.”

He’s released on just $50,000 bail, after the request to increase bail to the same $250,000 amount in the arrest warrant was denied.