Another Sad Story/San Diego Bicyclist killed protesting bailouts.

[suprj1]

Chula Vista man killed on cross-country bicycle trek




SAN DIEGO — A Chula Vista man on a cross country bike tour to protest government bailouts was killed Sunday in Illinois by a suspected drunk driver who left the scene of the crash.

Jim Gafney, 65, was on U.S. Route 50 about 60 miles east of St Louis just before 1 a.m. when he was struck from behind by a 1997 Nissan Altima driven by a 27-year-old man, Illinois State Police officials said.

The driver said he was coming over a hill and saw Gafney but was not able to stop or take evasive action in time to avoid hitting him, police Master Sgt. Chris Trame said.

The roadway in that area is just two lanes with no shoulder, Trame said. He described it as “pretty isolated” and “not well lit.”

Gafney was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver was later arrested. He faces charges that include aggravated driving under the influence and leaving the scene of the accident, Trame said.
Gafney left Chula Vista April 27, according to a video he posted on the Web site YouTube.

He called his journey the “Mad As Hell Bike Ride Across U.S.” He was collecting signatures on a petition asking, among other things, that representatives end bailouts for banks, decrease the salaries of elected officials and end the use of earmarks. He planned to ride to Washington D.C. to deliver the signatures to Congress.

[sperminator]

we all should ride our bikes every day like it is our last day to ride them. maybe people will get the message.

[LAMint]

A tragedy here, 65 years old Chula Vista bicyclist Jim Gafney riding to D.C. to protest government bailouts using taxpayer dollars. Alegedly hit by drunk driver, he was ~ 2,000 miles into the trip. A sad day.

http://www.cbs8.com/Global/story.asp?S=10579520