Comments on: Biker Down Update: Sandy Johnston

By: JZ

JZ — Thu, 08 May 2008 22:08:56 +0000

http://www.thenewstribune.com/311/story/344361.html

Even worse. I’m not sure I know where to begin a rant on this… But I do know I likely wouldn’t stop. The abridged version would be: burn in hell.

By: JZ

JZ — Thu, 08 May 2008 22:02:57 +0000

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/6420ap_wa_driver_plea.html

Same shit, different day. I’m sure the shit that will come out of her defense will reek even more. Admitted guilt, yet not guilty, give me a break.

By: Howard

Howard — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 08:06:43 +0000

I’ve been trying to follow up on this case. At least the parents did the right thing. A girl who has committed a crime deserves an attorney. A human being who makes a mistake deserves to live and learn and drive a car again, after paying a suitable price for making that mistake. (Maybe some time in the big house!) I hope that I’ll still feel that way if I am ever the victim.

What bothers me is double standards. Injure or kill somebody with an automobile, and you can get away with it. Especially if the victim is older and poorer, and heaven forbid, riding a bicycle. The News Tribune reported on the case again after the parents turned their daughter in. They did so with the help of an attorney, which is the right thing to do.

The News Tribune did not report the girl’s name, or that of her parents, because they had not been charged. Now that six weeks have passed, there has been no follow-up by the News Tribune.

Do people who commit crimes with automobiles deserve treatment with kid gloves, especially if they have a nice car? What does the police department have to say? What about the district attorney? Are they going to file charges? Is the fact that charges were filed not newsworthy?

Does an 18-year-old whose parents can afford to let her drive a Mercedes and hire an attorney for her get a free pass? It sounds like she committed a serious crime, yet her name and her arrest haven’t even been reported.

By: Mark

Mark — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 07:02:05 +0000

Joe,

Take her license for five years? You’re a fucking idiot.

She should NEVER be allowed to drive again. EVER.

By: Opus the Poet

Opus the Poet — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 04:25:13 +0000

Face it folks, it’s a war zone out there, and we are armed with rubber bands against tanks. This very same conversation is going on on BikePortland, about a cyclist that supposedly screamed at a cop (off duty and in plain clothes) for parking in the bike lane, and somebody asked why would the cyclist behave in such a fashion? As we examined the question, it became obvious that many cyclists have some degree of PTSD. There are 2 ways to get PTSD, witness or be a victim of a violent physical attack, or face the constant threat of a violent physical attack. Which one describes a cyclist? Which one is you?

Opus

By: Burleigh County

Burleigh County — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 17:05:30 +0000

Some years ago I saw a posting from Toronto titled, “A Bullet For Every Driver.” And in circumstances like this, I couldn’t agree more. The majority of Amerikkkan drivers are fucking clueless bastards, looking out for no one but themselves. Stay safe out there.

By: pirata

pirata — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 16:32:46 +0000

Whatthefuck kind of person could actually stop, get out and drag somebody to the side of the road after hitting them? At 5:30 in the a.m., makes me wonder, was the driver on her way back from a long night out and knew she would be double fucked if alcohol was a contributor?

I just hope she can feel the pain of the woman she hit and left for what could easily have been dead.

By: Joe

Joe — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 16:07:50 +0000

Ok but we need helmet laws, whats up with some of these drivers?
HIT AND RUN is not good!! take the lic away for max 5 years.
*need something like this*

By: Bobbo

Bobbo — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 15:51:01 +0000

Heckler is right – it is not the cars, it is the ‘tards operating them. Between cell phones and text messages, not to mention eating, drinking and thinking about anything other than operating the vehicle, it is no wonder that they don’t see a cyclist. That shit needs to change ’cause it isnt getting better.

Yes, she needs to be held accountable. In every sense of the word.

By: Heckler

Heckler — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 08:11:21 +0000

I feel you Chris, I love to ride, I don’t think there’s anything better except maybe any day on the slopes. After my last hit (#5 or #6) in November 2006 it has been extremely difficult for me to go out, and I’ll only take the beater to do short store cruises (and I tend to make it very unpleasant for any motorist/ moron “cyclist” who comes near me); the good bikes just gather dust. Cars are a necessary evil, but man do they, and the incredible number of fucktards that operate them, absolutely fucking suck. And it’s not like being a pedestrian is any safer :).

By: Bush43

Bush43 — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 05:40:34 +0000

We need that coal miner Charley Buchinsky to straighten this shit out.

By: Chris

Chris — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 04:36:28 +0000

As I said in a previous post the driver who got me stayed and owned up to the accident. This girl, who is now hiding behind the skirts of her parents and more importantly her parent’s lawyer, if found guilty should be at every physical therapy session of the woman she hit just to get an inkling of the physical pain she wreaked on her. Unfortunately she’ll have no idea what mental scars Mrs. Johnston will have. I know mine haven’t healed. I ride on the roads but I’ll never, like any of us should ever feel comfortable on the roads if cars are around, enjoy riding the way I did pre accident. As an added bonus even though my arm works well it just isn’t the same and unlike what the T shirts say chicks don’t really dig cool scars.