road rage incident last weekend

[DISCO]

Thank you all for being adults and processing this info rationally. It's good to hear than Ron has recovered enough to be on a radio show, hopefully he solicited donations tho help with the other riders shoulder. It seems likely that the good doctor may have not been able to pass the initial ambulance. So there is a good chance other drivers were inconvenienced from a critical mass influx of riders who don't pay the exorbitant premium residence requires there. So imagine fuming in traffic for an extended period only to come upon another potential roadblock that insinuates your mother or father may have been livestock.

In that light I could almost understand the last Big gulp of orange slice that showered me on a day that was much like this morning not very warm. It's really a sad state when people are reduced to animal behavior after losing control over their emotions. All we can count on is the legal system being even more sedate than the doctor's trip down his hill. I think the judge wise in setting a reasonable bail as the defendant will need plenty of time to formulate a defense with his counsel and shield his assets from liability. I'd put a lower risk on his flight than the chance of the of the neighborhood erecting a gate and swaying zoning to ticket non-residents or install speed bumps. And all this because someone felt the urge to speak out.

God bless the amendments, especially the first one.

[El Presidente]

Here is the story in the L.A. Times.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la...,6023414.story

[Permagrin]

What an a-hole. Can you imagine what his emergency room bedside manner is like? I hope they prosecute him fully.

[drclark]

Wow, reading the comments on that article is scary. Us bikers have it bad. Hate on the trails from hikers, hate on the roads from drivers. I hope the doc gets sued into the poor house. However, I wonder if the long term result will be Mandeville Canyon Road becoming a private drive with a gate? Unfortunately, the residents up there probably have the cash and political pull to do something like that. We should all write letters to Bill Rosendahl to make sure our voices are heard.

drc

[RidetheRAAM4]

Originally Posted by SIK SD

I don't know if it's the economy, overcrowding or what, but as another poster said before times sure have changed. Having been cycling since the early 80's i can always recall certain motorists yelling out their window, pelting me with drink cups, and other minor stupid acts of idiocy from time to time but nowadays whoa lookout...Have you guys noticed the look in peoples eyes everywhere? It is like people are possessed. I see it when i'm driving, riding, at the grocery store, etc...It's like people are on a mission and are convinced that their agenda is the most important one disregarding all others in the process. Sure I am getting older too but the world has changed. Words are replaced with weapons, and childish pranks have been replaced with truly harmful acts. Some time ago I decided it was an opportunity for me to slow my mind down, and not get sucked into that miserable life. Now, if someone pisses me off in the car the worst thing i will do is give them the thumbs down. Now I always walk away instead of confronting, and I turn down the fight. People are conditioned now to expect their action to be returned with an equal or greater reaction and I will tell you that it really throws them off when you don't give it to them. Almost as if they are being cheated of their agression. Try it, i swear it works.

What this "doctor" did is horrible and unexcusable but it also points out a conclusion that we all should make...The car will always win, so watch your ass out there and heed to these bastards on the road...they will get theirs later...kharma is a bitch.

Haha, I give thumbs down signs too. People just look at me puzzled!

Originally Posted by drclark

Wow, reading the comments on that article is scary. Us bikers have it bad. Hate on the trails from hikers, hate on the roads from drivers. I hope the doc gets sued into the poor house. However, I wonder if the long term result will be Mandeville Canyon Road becoming a private drive with a gate? Unfortunately, the residents up there probably have the cash and political pull to do something like that. We should all write letters to Bill Rosendahl to make sure our voices are heard.

drc

The problem that the residents have with cyclists is probably the traffic and their problem with the traffic is that it slows them down on their way home or way to work, whatever. Installing a gate will also delay them to have to stop at the gate and wait for it to open. Not to mention if they ever forget their little key card or whatveer is used to open the gate, or if it is a pin and they are not close enough to the gate and have to exit their car to enter the pin.

The point is, they probably dislike the cyclists because it increases their commute time (minimally). They would rather have a gate to remove any cycling traffic (elitists) even though the gate would probably increase their commute more than the cyclists do.

[Burner]

Originally Posted by RidetheRAAM4

The problem that the residents have with cyclists is probably the traffic and their problem with the traffic is that it slows them down on their way home or way to work, whatever. Installing a gate will also delay them to have to stop at the gate and wait for it to open. Not to mention if they ever forget their little key card or whatveer is used to open the gate, or if it is a pin and they are not close enough to the gate and have to exit their car to enter the pin.

The point is, they probably dislike the cyclists because it increases their commute time (minimally). They would rather have a gate to remove any cycling traffic (elitists) even though the gate would probably increase their commute more than the cyclists do.

Bikes on this road are not adding to anyone's commute, this is a sparsely populated dead-end canyon, and it is not a steep hill, almost completely flat. Not enough traffic to worry about going around a cyclist when you come up on one. Living in LA, I can't think of a street with less traffic actually, which is why bikes like it. I'm sure this is more an issue of an angry type person, having a gripe with bikes, and annoyed with their presence in his 'hood.

Frankly I'm surprised it wasn't on Westridge, lots more opportunity for close calls there, and not as easy to go around cyclists.

[rjcornelia]

i feel he should get charged with assault with a deadly weapon at the very least.

[ohyeah89]

Originally Posted by Dan White

Ron Peterson (the most seriously injured cyclist) was interviewed on AM 640 John & Ken program yesterday afternoon. I don't know if anyone taped the program but it was very interesting. Ron Peterson believes that the doctor was also involved in another road rage incident against cyclist earlier this year where he bumped some rider/s off the road.

Dunno how I missed that! All the KFI shows (including John & Ken) are avaliable to listen to online "On Demand" though if anyone is interested. Do you know which hour they talked about it?

[slo65]

my mom actually knows this jerk (she's an RN of 30+ years and has worked with him) says he's a real high strung asshole

[art23rockpile]

Originally Posted by ohyeah89

Dunno how I missed that! All the KFI shows (including John & Ken) are avaliable to listen to online "On Demand" though if anyone is interested. Do you know which hour they talked about it?

Driving home from work and listening to KFI, I heard that the DA is bringing lesser charges against the Doc... "assault causing bodily harm" as opposed to "ADW: automobile". From the cops who were on the scene, it appears that there was cause to believe that there was enough of an exchange between the cyclists and Doc that the ADW might not stick. Max sentence will be 7 yrs., but as the Doc has no prior record and probably a good lawyer, it wouldn't surprise me if he gets probabation with no time in jail/prison. The civil suit will be a different story though... i'm guessing the Doc will pay BIG. Justice of another sort, but justice nonetheless.

[El Presidente]

Just received this from the L.A. County Bicycle Coalition



Road Rage on Mandeville - Latest News
__________________________________________________ _________________________

L.A.'s cycling community is rallying around the issue of improving cyclist-motorist relations following a shocking road rage incident on Mandeville Canyon Road on the 4th of July. On a day when hundreds of cyclists enjoyed the 5 mile climb and meandering descent of the two-lane residential road, upper Mandeville resident Dr. Christopher T. Thompson, a motorist with a police-documented history of harassing cyclists on Mandeville, came up behind two Cynergy riders honking and yelling out of his car, passed them closely and then slammed on his brakes right in front of them, causing serious injuries to both. Dr. Thompson was arrested by LAPD at the scene.

The case is being handled by the District Attorney's office, and LACBC has learned that the multiple felony charges filed against Dr. Thompson today could land the 59-year-old emergency physician in state prison for up to 7 years, 8 months, in additional to collateral consequences of such felony charges, which may include the revocation of his medical license. He is charged with Reckless Driving Causing Injury, Inflicting Gross Bodily Injury, and Battery Causing Serious Injury - two counts each (for the two cyclists that he hurt), six felonies altogether. The Deputy District Attorney assigned to the case said he has "no sympathy" for this motorist, and called this "a dark day for Mr. Thompson".

L.A. City Councilmember Bill Rosendahl (Council District 11) has called a public meeting, to address residents' and cyclists' concerns about Mandeville Canyon Road and Westside cycling issues in general, on Monday July 14th at 6:30pm at the Felicia Mahood Multipurpose Center at 11338 Santa Monica Blvd. http://www.lacity.org/council/cd11/h...2_07112008.pdf

Cycling advocates, particularly those who frequent Mandeville Canyon, are encouraged to attend. This is a good way for you to get involved, and to bring L.A.'s cycling community together for the very important cause of safety on our roadways.

All of us at LACBC wish Ron and Christian, the two cyclists injured in this horrible incident, a complete and speedy recovery! And we will continue to follow this case to see that this kind of illegal, dangerous road rage behavior is appropriately punished.


Jennifer Klausner
Executive Director

[Soc Eye]

Originally Posted by slo65

my mom actually knows this jerk (she's an RN of 30+ years and has worked with him) says he's a real high strung asshole

Hopefully someone in prison will detangle that asshole.

[pitmang1]

A felony conviction could mean that he loses his license. He deserves more than that, but it's probably the worst punishment he'll get.