Geez. Just makes you sick.
Pretty sad that you can get caught off guard like that, even by the public defenders.

I know I was once run off the road by a fire rescue truck and have been buzzed by more than a few police cars flying down mountain roads without lights/sirens. I have to say I feel just awful for that deputy, too, though. I can't even imagine the overwhelming grief of being responsible for something like that, and I'm sure he's a great person - not like some of the deadbeat drug addicts that you sometimes hear of hitting riders when they take one too many pills and fall asleep at the wheel.

Yes, tragic.
Riding on the road is dangerous even though we like to fool ourselves that it's not.

Let's be careful out there.

You know things like this really make me mad. I read the statement released by the dept. he worked for and they continue to call it an accident. It actually read something like "the deputy's car accidently crossed over the lane and hit..." This is a statement designed to take blame away from the person responsible. It is law enforcement policy to NEVER call things like this accidents, yet its one of their own and look. This guy won't get charged with anything I'll bet you, even though others often get manslaughter charges brought against them. The fact that his job is to ensure safety and enforce traffic laws should be a factor against him, not for him. He knew as well as the rest of us what the dangers were, yet willingly chose to ignore them to make it wherever he was going a few seconds faster. Sure he feels bad, but rightly so. He made a concious decision to drive the way he did and because of it two people are dead and another one in the hospital. There has to be more enforcement of laws regarding bicycle rights and more accountability for those who break them. Cyclists, just remember when you are on that rode you have to follow the same laws cars do. When people see us running red lights and stop signs it increases their absurd hatred for us. So try to ride safe. Sorry for the long rant but this is a hot button issue with me.

Just came across this site:
http://www.yieldtolife.org/

This is an easy donation, thanks for posting it.

In NJ they have made using a cellphone without a headset a primary offense. Meaning if they see you holding a phone, they can pull you over for that.
A step in the right direction as long as they continue with enforcement.

With all the computers and gadgets in front of a police car, I can only imagine that there was some piece of gear distracting him at the time.

With all the cell phones, GPS units, DVD players for the kids, the roads are only becoming more dangerous.

Stay Safe and teach your kids (and their friends) safe driving and respect on the roads.