Cop hits, kills cyclists

[Collette]

This is why I'm not a roadie

http://www.ktvu.com/news/15548177/detail.html


CUPERTINO, Calif. -- The California Highway Patrol has launched an investigation into what caused a rookie Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department deputy to veer his patrol car into a group of cyclists on a training ride, killing two of them and seriously injuring a third.

Witnesses have told police they overheard the deputy admit to possibly falling asleep at the wheel shortly before the 10:25 a.m. Sunday crash. However, authorities were refusing to speculate what may have caused the accident.

"It's going to be a drawn-out comprehensive investigation," said Don Morrissey, a spokesman for the Sheriff's Department. "It's just a tragic incident. Obviously, it's going to have deep impacts on everybody involved, from the deputy to the victim's family, next of kin, family, friends, everybody like that."

The third bicyclist was taken to Stanford Medical Center with critical injuries, but has since been listed in stable condition, according to Morrissey.

Friends have identified the dead as 30-year-old Kristy Gough of Oakland and Matt Peterson, 29, of San Francisco. Gough competed professionally as a triathlete and only recently had begun to concentrate on cycling.

Peterson, member of the San Francisco-based Roaring Mouse Cycles racing team, had recently won a road racing event in downtown Merced.

Authorities said that at approximately 10:25 A.M., a Santa Clara County Deputy Sheriff was patrolling the Stevens Canyon area in Cupertino. The deputy was traveling northbound on Stevens Canyon Road near Montebello Road when his vehicle accidentally crossed over the centerline of the roadway. The deputy’s vehicle struck three bicyclists who were on a training ride and were traveling southbound on Stevens Canyon Road.

The deputy immediately exited his vehicle, began to render aid and requested emergency medical assistance. Tragically, one of the bicyclists died at the scene. A second bicyclist was transported via Life Flight to Stanford Medical Center for treatment and died there.

The CHP has closed Stevens Canyon Road in both directions from Balboa Road to the entrance to the Stevens Creek Reservoir, Hoover said.

The California Highway Patrol is investigating the accident. The deputy will be placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

Anyone who may have witnessed this accident is urged to contact the Officer Bowen of the California Highway Patrol at (40 467-5354 ext.337.

[jschwart73]

The latest news up here is that the deputy had fallen asleep. Very sad for all involved.

[Rascal]

Originally Posted by jschwart73

The latest news up here is that the deputy had fallen asleep. Very sad for all involved.

I saw this on the news this morning. My first suspicion was that the cop was driving too fast (looked to be a canyon road) and crossed over. Fell asleep makes more sense looking at where the car stopped.

Either way, this really sucks.

[DownHillPhil]

That's terrible =/

[SheDevil]

wow...

[jschwart73]

Originally Posted by Rascal

I saw this on the news this morning. My first suspicion was that the cop was driving too fast (looked to be a canyon road) and crossed over. Fell asleep makes more sense looking at where the car stopped.

Either way, this really sucks.

It's an exceptionally popular canyon road leading into some very popular riding areas. Loads of traffic on the weekends.

[jeffj]

My daughter was up at Stanford for a collegiate road race this past weekend.

Sad.

Scary.

[Waldo]

What a tragedy for all.
Deepest condolences to the families and friends.

[northshore]

That blows

[6packguywith5spot]

Man, this is sad news.

Originally Posted by Collette

This is why I'm not a roadie

http://www.ktvu.com/news/15548177/detail.html


CUPERTINO, Calif. -- The California Highway Patrol has launched an investigation into what caused a rookie Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department deputy to veer his patrol car into a group of cyclists on a training ride, killing two of them and seriously injuring a third.

Witnesses have told police they overheard the deputy admit to possibly falling asleep at the wheel shortly before the 10:25 a.m. Sunday crash. However, authorities were refusing to speculate what may have caused the accident.

"It's going to be a drawn-out comprehensive investigation," said Don Morrissey, a spokesman for the Sheriff's Department. "It's just a tragic incident. Obviously, it's going to have deep impacts on everybody involved, from the deputy to the victim's family, next of kin, family, friends, everybody like that."

The third bicyclist was taken to Stanford Medical Center with critical injuries, but has since been listed in stable condition, according to Morrissey.

Friends have identified the dead as 30-year-old Kristy Gough of Oakland and Matt Peterson, 29, of San Francisco. Gough competed professionally as a triathlete and only recently had begun to concentrate on cycling.

Peterson, member of the San Francisco-based Roaring Mouse Cycles racing team, had recently won a road racing event in downtown Merced.

Authorities said that at approximately 10:25 A.M., a Santa Clara County Deputy Sheriff was patrolling the Stevens Canyon area in Cupertino. The deputy was traveling northbound on Stevens Canyon Road near Montebello Road when his vehicle accidentally crossed over the centerline of the roadway. The deputy’s vehicle struck three bicyclists who were on a training ride and were traveling southbound on Stevens Canyon Road.

The deputy immediately exited his vehicle, began to render aid and requested emergency medical assistance. Tragically, one of the bicyclists died at the scene. A second bicyclist was transported via Life Flight to Stanford Medical Center for treatment and died there.

The CHP has closed Stevens Canyon Road in both directions from Balboa Road to the entrance to the Stevens Creek Reservoir, Hoover said.

The California Highway Patrol is investigating the accident. The deputy will be placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

Anyone who may have witnessed this accident is urged to contact the Officer Bowen of the California Highway Patrol at (40 467-5354 ext.337.

[dirtmistress]

Every time I read that kind of crap, time seems to stand still and I feel so stunned. How awful...as always!

[OMR]

So sad... just shows how quickly things can go from good to bad. Reminds me of our own Christy that was taken from us in a road accident last year...so sad...

[dirtmistress]

http://www.roaringmousecycles.com/ga...omer-road/Matt

[Pain Freak]

I have to ask, why would a person be driving when they are that tired? If a person continues to drive knowing they are that tired, I'd have to think it was negligent on their part. So sad.

It could of been people walking too.

[mt dew]

I think all of us have been guilty of driving with our eyes burning or one eye shut at one time or another. This goes from the delivery man to the truck driver and even driving to and from work just trying to get where we are going. This is a true tragedy for the cycling family and for the Law Enforcement family as well

[jason1234]

Throw this scumbag in Jail!

[DISCO]

Fortunately I have never been hit head on, but am still quite allergic to cars. It is unfair to speculate the details but the "rookie" cop may have been hauling ass down the serpentine canyon road. Tragic and preventable yes, but the risk must be accepted when sharing the road. Lately I have had issues with commuting due to construction or tree trimming on all my major routes, close calls but I would not be able to tell the tale if more serious.....

[2wheel_lee]

Originally Posted by mt dew

I think all of us have been guilty of driving with our eyes burning or one eye shut at one time or another. This goes from the delivery man to the truck driver and even driving to and from work just trying to get where we are going.

But the difference is that most of us (I'd like to say "all" but I don't want to assume) haven't killed anyone [yet] while doing so.

It's too bad that these poor riders had to pay for the officer's negligence.

[dirtmistress]

http://forums.roadbikereview.com/sho...=1#post1452105

WARNING:
This is not pleasant to read.