kjchapman@wateng.UUCP (Kevin J. Chapman) (07/31/85)
The cyclist vs. motorist debate seems to have quietened somewhat,
but I just thought I'd fire things up again by relaying some recent news
from Canada.
This Monday, a group of 19 youths, 2 adult supervisors, and another
supervisor in a sag wagon were taking part in a cycle ride along a paved
shoulder (about 4' across and marked "BIKE ROUTE" in large letters) on
a highway near Cochrane, Alberta. They had just stopped for lunch when
an unidentified 17 year-old male, travelling at an estimated 100 - 120 km/h
(63 - 75 mph) swerved into the line of cyclists, killing 3 and sending
another 6 to hospital. The local RCMP detachment is investigating,
and may lay charges against the driver.
Doesn't that just make you feel warm all over? What the hell can
you do?
I'll keep the net informed of any developments.
Kevin
--
Kevin Chapman
Computer Communications Networks Group
Waterversity of Uniloo
'Loo, Ont., Canadakjchapman@wateng.UUCP (Kevin J. Chapman) (08/07/85)
The latest on the case of the three cyclist deaths in Alberta
is as follows (I have received mail asking for updates).
(taken from Kitchener/Waterloo Record August 2, 1985 -
reproduced without permission)
PROBE INTO DEATHS OF THREE CYCLISTS TO TAKE TWO WEEKS
CALGARY(CP)- It will be at least two weeks before an
investigation is completed into Monday's fatal crash
involving a car and a group of 19 young cyclists near
Calgary, RCMP said Thursday.
Two teenaged girls from Calgary and one from
the San Francisco area of the United States died when
a car plowed into cyclists of the shoulder of the
Trans-Canada Highway, 20 kilometres west of Calgary.
The 17-year-old Calgarian driving the car was
questioned by RCMP but never arrested. Police said
no drugs or alcohol were involved in the accident.
However, RCMP Cpl. Barry Hornung said Thursday
there are aspects of the investigation which will take
at least tso weeks.
He said the provincial Attorney-General's
Department will likely be consulted about possible
laying of charges.
The cyclists were on the first day of a five-
day cycle-camping trip organized through the Calgary
parks and recreation department.
They were stopped on a designated cycle path
on the shoulder of the highway when a car swerved into
them, hurling several into a van at the front of the
group.
Three were killed and six injured. Five of the
injured have been released from hospital but one remains
in Calgary hospital in satisfactory condition.
--
Kevin Chapman
Computer Communications Networks Group
Waterversity of Uniloo
'Loo, Ont., Canadakjchapman@wateng.UUCP (Kevin J. Chapman) (08/28/85)
Latest on the Calgary bike incident, reproduced without permission
from the Kitchener-Waterloo Record, August 28, is as follows.
(For those who have forgotten, a 17 year-old drove his car into a
line of young cyclists who had stopped in a bicycle-only lane, killing 3)
----
Dad seeks action on fatal accident
CALGARY (CP) - Grieving parents are upset because no charges
have been laid against the 17-year-old driver of a car that
smashed into a group of bicyclists July 29.
"I want revenge ... against the driver of the car",
said Ross Hill of the San Francisco area, whose 15-year-old
daughter, Diane, was one of three teenagers killed on the
Trans-Canada Highway west of Calgary.
Hill said he will sue the driver if no serious charges
are laid.
--
Kevin Chapman
Computer Communications Networks Group
Waterversity of Uniloo
'Loo, Ont., Canadakjchapman@wateng.UUCP (Kevin J. Chapman) (09/10/85)
This is the latest news on the Calgary bike deaths. The whole
thing is rather gruesome, and I won't post any more updates if no-one
is interested in following the story. The only response I have received
so far was a request to continue the postings...
---
reproduced, without permission, from the Kitchener-Waterloo Record (Sept 7)
Driver's anonymity irks mother of killed cyclist
CALGARY(CP) - The mother of a teenage girl killed when a car
mowed down a group of cyclists along the Trans-Canada Highway
wants to know why the driver is young enough to remain anonymous
under the federal Young Offenders Act, but old enough to get a
driver's licence.
A 17-year-old youth was charged Friday with dangerous
driving and careless driving in the July 29 incident. Three
cyclists were killed and six people injured.
"They should be treated as adults if they're performing
a so-called adult function," said Cathy Mugford of Calgary.
Her daughter Joanne, 13, had stopped for a brief roadside
rest with 18 other members of a cycling tour when a westbound car
veered into the group.
Stephanie Trono, 14, of Calgary and Diane Hill, 15, of the
San Francisco area, were also killed.
RCMP at Cochrane, about 30 kilometres west of Calgary,
started a month-long investigation that prompted complaints from
some impatient parents.
Police handed their report to Alberta Attorney-General
Neil Crawford in late August, but charges were not laid until
Friday, five weeks after the tragedy.
The 17-year-old Calgary driver is scheduled to appear in
court Oct. 17.
The Young Offenders Act guarantees the anonymity of the
accused. If convicted, the youth faces a maximum penalty of two
years in jail for dangerous driving. A careless driving conviction
could net six months imprisonment under Alberta legislation.
John Scrimshaw, Crawford's executive assistant, defended the
length of the investigation, saying police needed five weeks to
contact all the witnesses. Some were from out of town, while others
were away on holidays.
Marge Hill, mother of Diane Hill, argued for tougher charges
and the threat of a longer jail term.
"But no matter what the charges, there's still three
beautiful people who are dead," Hill said.
--
Kevin Chapman
Computer Communications Networks Group
Waterversity of Uniloo
'Loo, Ont., Canadafred@gymble.UUCP (Fred Blonder) (09/20/85)
> From: kjchapman@wateng.UUCP (Kevin J. Chapman) > Message-ID: <2800@wateng.UUCP> > Date: Tue, 10-Sep-85 09:20:56 EDT > > This is the latest news on the Calgary bike deaths. The whole > thing is rather gruesome, and I won't post any more updates if > no-one is interested in following the story. The only response I > have received so far was a request to continue the postings... > . > . > . A suggestion: What if we (i.e.: net.bicycle readers) express our collective displeasure with the handling of this situation, by sending letters to the appropriate Canadian authorities. I don't know how many letters would get sent this way, nor how much weight would be given to letters coming from the U.S. (where I expect the majority of net.bicycle readers reside) but it might be worth a try. It's certainly better than just reading these postings and grumbling. This of course depends on someone, presumably Kevin Chapman, to keep us informed and to find the appropriate offices and addresses to write to. -- All characters mentioned herein are fictitious. Any similarity to actual characters, ASCII or EBCDIC is purely coincidental. Fred Blonder (301) 454-7690 Fred@Maryland.{ARPA,CSNet} seismo!umcp-cs!fred