fat-ass-bike wrote:
There is no doubt the driver 'ran away' from the scene, but a constructive discussion would be to look at ways to help mitigate this from re-occuring.

1. What could the kid have done (bike lights / reflective clothing / helmets / education on safe night riding in schools) ?
2. What could have the parents done ?
3. What could have the driver done (better education) ?
4. What could the police do (more enforcement / slower posted speed restrictions) ?
5. What could cityhall do (traffic lights or other infrustructure to reduce speed or extra street lighting)

I don't believe this guy went out of his way to hit the kid, however if he had a defective vehicle or affected by substances, then he should be 'hit' twice a hard with penalties and prison term. His biggest mistake was running away from the scene ... very stupid

HeightsBrat wrote:
Screw the driver. Read the article, he hit the girl & took off. Thankfully people in vehicles who witnessed the accident took off after the bastard.

fat-ass-bike wrote:
Driver is guilty of failing to stop, render help or calling authorities. If this was done, then it wouldn't have compounded the situation of automatic fault.

The argument he might have had is over-shadowed by fleeing, regardless if he was scared, didn't have a licence, drunk etc. If there was no driving impairment or lack of licence, I doubt he would deliberately hit a cyclist, as was the kid to rid into a vehicle.

His arguement could still be that he never saw the cyclist (regardless of age or whether she was wearing reflective clothing or had bike lights). Was she on her bike cruising through the crosswalk, or was she walking the bike as legally required ?

Did she ride her bike into the truck trailer, or did the truck trailer hit her ?

We just don't have enough information and hopefully any Court proceeding might enlighten us .. Our goal as a community is to look for ways to mitigate this accident from happening again; education, better signs, better traffic management infrustructure, better street lights etc etc

Samir wrote:
How awful. :(

What I've learned about being a pedestrian (and try to relay to my wife, mostly unsuccessfully), is to look around as if you're driving a car and don't trust the signs.

In a car, I'm more worried about an accident wasting my time and damaging my property than having the right of way. I behave the same way as a pedestrian because I'd rather have my original knees versus some replacements after a year of physical therapy. It's kept me out of trouble driving or walking.

I hope the girl will be okay, and the driver too as that's got to be an awful feeling to live with if you drive for a living. :(