Today, Los Angeles doctor Christopher Thompson was sentenced to five years in prison for assaulting two cyclists with his car. In addition, he will likely lose his medical license. The conviction and serious penalty of the doctor is being considered by some a turning point in finally holding motorists accountable to actions that endanger cyclists. We need only look at the recent automobile caused cycling deaths that resulted in no charges or token punishment of the motorists involved.
We’ve been so enamored with moving cars as fast as possible and so forgiving and accepting of the deaths involved, we have assumed these injuries and death were just part of the price for our automotive “freedom.” Hopefully, the decision of this court and passage of reasonable legislation like the Safe Passing Bill will ensure the safety of all road users. This ruling was a step forward, but with groups like this on Facebook, it’s not the norm. (Although any good prosecutor should have members of that group stricken from the jury of any motorist charged with injuring a cyclist.) We have more work to do. Be safe out there.
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on Jan 8th, 2010 at 5:03 pm
I doubt it’s a tipping point in anything.
Mostly, it happened because he couldn’t keep his mouth shut, wouldn’t exercise his fifth amendment rights.
Had he not been so forthcoming with the police (wanted to teach them a lesson), it’s entirely possible that none of this would have happened. The case probably would have gone to the DA, but the DA probably wouldn’t have prosecuted due to lack of evidence, they never would have found the other related case, etc.
It’s just a case where the evidence (much of it came out of his own mouth!) was strongly against the defendant, so it went to court, got a guilty verdict and a decent sentence. Motorists will still continue to do what they’ve always done, and without witnesses, it’ll still be `he said, she said’ at best and few will result in prosecution or conviction.
on Jan 8th, 2010 at 5:03 pm
er, wouldn’t avail himself of his fifth amendment rights.