I have merged my website and blog in a new updated format, so I will no longer be posting to this blog site.
The new format makes it easier to find information and to read, so I hope you stop by!
website: http://www.911law.com/
blog: www.911law.com/category/bicycleblog/
Richard Duquette
Friday, April 22, 2011
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Carlsbad Man Arrested In Hit-And-Run Fatality
According to this SignOnSanDiego.com article, 36 year old Joseph Ricardo Fernandez was arrested in relation to the hit-and-run death of James Steven Swarzman.
According to police, Fernandez got in touch with the Carlsbad police on Monday and said that he might have been involved in a collision. When Fernandez's truck was examined, officers found the damage to be consistent with Swarzman's hit-and-run.
Drinking may have been a factor.
Fernandez is currently being held in Vista on $50,000 bail, with an arraignment scheduled for Wednesday in Vista Superior Court.
According to police, Fernandez got in touch with the Carlsbad police on Monday and said that he might have been involved in a collision. When Fernandez's truck was examined, officers found the damage to be consistent with Swarzman's hit-and-run.
Drinking may have been a factor.
Fernandez is currently being held in Vista on $50,000 bail, with an arraignment scheduled for Wednesday in Vista Superior Court.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
UPDATE ON FATAL HIT-AND-RUN VEHICLE!
See original story here.
Detectives now say that the truck they are looking for is a dark-colored Dodge Ram pickup. According to this follow-up article at nctimes.com, the truck would meet the following description:
Please help Swarzman's fiance and fellow bicycle racer Nicole Honda find out who killed her fiance!
Detectives now say that the truck they are looking for is a dark-colored Dodge Ram pickup. According to this follow-up article at nctimes.com, the truck would meet the following description:
- 2007 or 2008 Dodge Ram 1500, or
- 2007 Dodge Ram 2500 or 3500, with
- damage to the front on the passenger's side
Please help Swarzman's fiance and fellow bicycle racer Nicole Honda find out who killed her fiance!
Bicyclist Killed In Hit-And-Run: Information Needed!
James Steven Swarzman, a 47 year old competitive and recreational bicycle rider, was killed in a hit-and-run early last Sunday morning. He was on a training ride with two other bicyclists and, at near North Coast Highway 101 and Jason Street, was hit was hit from behind by a dark-colored pickup truck at about 1:00 am. Although he was air lifted to La Jolla Scripps Memorial Hospital, he was, according to the 10news.com article, pronounced dead three hours later.
It would be tempting to call this tragic event an accident, but authorities are investigating the possibility that Swarzman was hit on purpose. According to a witness, the driver never slowed down.
This is the second hit-and-run collision in this area recently, the first involved Heath Bernstein, who was riding his bicycle on Highway 101 in Carlsbad when he was run down by a dark-colored pickup truck. According to Bernstein, he believes that the driver of the truck, who "came across one empty lane of traffic and the bike lane" hit him on purpose.
Authorities are looking for a "newer model Ford F-150 pickup, either blue or dark-colored, with obvious front end damage, probably to the headlights" in connection with this accident. According to the 10News article, the truck involved in Sunday's tragedy is almost identical to the one in Bernstein's hit-and-run collision.
UPDATE: Detectives are now looking for a Dodge Ram pickup truck, see the details of the vehicle in question here.
Ride safe--it is a crazy world out there.
It would be tempting to call this tragic event an accident, but authorities are investigating the possibility that Swarzman was hit on purpose. According to a witness, the driver never slowed down.
This is the second hit-and-run collision in this area recently, the first involved Heath Bernstein, who was riding his bicycle on Highway 101 in Carlsbad when he was run down by a dark-colored pickup truck. According to Bernstein, he believes that the driver of the truck, who "came across one empty lane of traffic and the bike lane" hit him on purpose.
Authorities are looking for a "newer model Ford F-150 pickup, either blue or dark-colored, with obvious front end damage, probably to the headlights" in connection with this accident. According to the 10News article, the truck involved in Sunday's tragedy is almost identical to the one in Bernstein's hit-and-run collision.
UPDATE: Detectives are now looking for a Dodge Ram pickup truck, see the details of the vehicle in question here.
Ride safe--it is a crazy world out there.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Former Olympian Becomes Latest Bicycling Fatality for Orange County
According to this CrimeVoice.com article, former track and field Olympian (and Moroccan native) Amine Britel was riding eastbound on San Joaquin Hills Road between Newport Ridge Drive-West and Spyglass Hill Road when he was hit by a Volkswagen Jetta.
Although paramedics were called to the scene, they were ultimately unable to revive Britel, who either died at the scene or en route to a medical facility (the details of the case haven't been published).
Britel was, by all accounts both a consummate athlete and a talented businessman. He was not only a former track and field Olympian, but also a world-class triathlete and professional soccer player. He had degrees from both Harvard and UC Berkley, and was the owner of a small business in Newport Beach.
The driver of the white Jetta, 22 year old Danae Marie Miller, faces charges of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. Her numerous other traffic tickets include (since 2005): speeding, failure to stop at a stop sign, and talking on her cell phone while driving. She is currently out on a bail of $100,000.
Unfortunately, Britel's untimely death isn't the first to happen in this area of Orange County; since 2009 there have been four other vehicle-related bicyclist fatalities.
Although paramedics were called to the scene, they were ultimately unable to revive Britel, who either died at the scene or en route to a medical facility (the details of the case haven't been published).
Britel was, by all accounts both a consummate athlete and a talented businessman. He was not only a former track and field Olympian, but also a world-class triathlete and professional soccer player. He had degrees from both Harvard and UC Berkley, and was the owner of a small business in Newport Beach.
The driver of the white Jetta, 22 year old Danae Marie Miller, faces charges of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. Her numerous other traffic tickets include (since 2005): speeding, failure to stop at a stop sign, and talking on her cell phone while driving. She is currently out on a bail of $100,000.
Unfortunately, Britel's untimely death isn't the first to happen in this area of Orange County; since 2009 there have been four other vehicle-related bicyclist fatalities.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Updated On Bicyclist Fatality: Tragedy All Around
In an article published by The San Diego Union Tribune, more details on the untimely and devastating death of Suntat Peverley are brought to light.
The driver of the street sweeper involved, 77-year-old Fred Franklin Fuller, was suffering from a tragedy of his the own. Fuller, who had owned his own street sweeping company for 33 years, had given the business up to his son. But both his son and his wife died less than a month ago, causing Fuller to resume his job behind the wheel.
According to police involved Franklin confessed that he'd been having a hard time sleeping, and given the death of his wife and son, it is no wonder. Although he has been found at fault for the accident he has not been charged and his license is under investigation.
Fuller's sad personal circumstances do not lessen the grief that Peverley's wife and two children face at his passing, though. Peverley, a long-time Phlebotomist, was well known and well liked by co-workers and friends. He biked to stay in shape, and loved his life as a father, husband, and breadwinner for his family.
Given the suddenness of his passing, friends are starting a (non-tax-deductible) memorial fund to help his family defray sudden and unavoidable costs.
"Suntat (Sunny) Peverley Memorial/Family Account"
c/o Howard E. King, Jr.
402 West Broadway, Suite 860,
San Diego, CA 92101
Please keep the Peverley family in your hearts and minds--and stay as safe as you can out there on these wild urban and rural roads.
The driver of the street sweeper involved, 77-year-old Fred Franklin Fuller, was suffering from a tragedy of his the own. Fuller, who had owned his own street sweeping company for 33 years, had given the business up to his son. But both his son and his wife died less than a month ago, causing Fuller to resume his job behind the wheel.
According to police involved Franklin confessed that he'd been having a hard time sleeping, and given the death of his wife and son, it is no wonder. Although he has been found at fault for the accident he has not been charged and his license is under investigation.
Fuller's sad personal circumstances do not lessen the grief that Peverley's wife and two children face at his passing, though. Peverley, a long-time Phlebotomist, was well known and well liked by co-workers and friends. He biked to stay in shape, and loved his life as a father, husband, and breadwinner for his family.
Given the suddenness of his passing, friends are starting a (non-tax-deductible) memorial fund to help his family defray sudden and unavoidable costs.
 |
| RIP - Suntat "Sunny" Peverley |
If you're interested in donating, please make out all contributions to "Suntat (Sunny) Peverley Memorial/Family Account". The account is set up at the US Bank, Reference Account #153467815533 Scripps Ranch Office, 9918 Hilbert Street, Suite 100, San Diego, CA 9213.
Donations can be made at the bank, handed to any Cyclo-Vet officer or board member, or mailed to:
"Suntat (Sunny) Peverley Memorial/Family Account"
c/o Howard E. King, Jr.
402 West Broadway, Suite 860,
San Diego, CA 92101
Please keep the Peverley family in your hearts and minds--and stay as safe as you can out there on these wild urban and rural roads.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Bicyclists' Greatest Fear: Being Hit From Behind
On February 11, 2011 many bicyclists' worst fear was realized when 44-year-old bicyclist Suntat Peverley was killed after being hit from behind on his bike.
Peverley, according to this 10News.com article, was riding south in the bike lane on Genesee Ave. (near Clairemont Mesa Boulevard Drive) when he was hit from behind by the street sweeper of which a dozing 77-year-old man had lost control.
According to San Diego Police Officer David Stafford, Peverley was thrown from his bike into the pavement and suffered major head trauma. The blunt force trauma evidently included several skull fractures and massive brain damage. Although Peverley was on life support in Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla's ICU briefly, he was pronounced dead at 10:45pm on Friday, February 11th, a little more than 5 hours after the time of the accident.
Peverley's death is an example of a scenario that gives even extreme road warriors pause: getting hit from behind while doing everything right. Not only was Peverley in the bike lane (and out of traffic) at the time of the accident, he was also wearing a helmet to protect himself.
His death is a tragedy.
Peverley, according to this 10News.com article, was riding south in the bike lane on Genesee Ave. (near Clairemont Mesa Boulevard Drive) when he was hit from behind by the street sweeper of which a dozing 77-year-old man had lost control.
According to San Diego Police Officer David Stafford, Peverley was thrown from his bike into the pavement and suffered major head trauma. The blunt force trauma evidently included several skull fractures and massive brain damage. Although Peverley was on life support in Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla's ICU briefly, he was pronounced dead at 10:45pm on Friday, February 11th, a little more than 5 hours after the time of the accident.
Peverley's death is an example of a scenario that gives even extreme road warriors pause: getting hit from behind while doing everything right. Not only was Peverley in the bike lane (and out of traffic) at the time of the accident, he was also wearing a helmet to protect himself.
His death is a tragedy.
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