Sad Story About Fellow Triathlete... (Page 4)

I am sorry for the boys that lost their father, and the mother that lost her son. 

 It hits very close to home, and makes me want to be extra careful when I ride or run.  I don't want to leave my four without a daddy.  I could see that very thing happen, without much problem.

May the family find comfort in their time of sorry and loss.

Please add: 

Mary and Derreck Sadjoeri, Winnemucca Nevada

Still basically an accident, but the guy obviously lied about the tire blow-out. 

 Triathlete's death ruled a homicide

Coroner's jury implicates driver of minivan that struck bicyclist

By Leslie Williams

of the Journal Star

The van's driver, Richard C. Craig, 29, of Cherry "admitted he drifted too close to the bicyclist and hit him," Peoria County sheriff's Detective Brian Asbell told a coroner's jury Thursday.

Jackson, 47, of 2401 Alta Road, Apt. 102, was riding east on the shoulder of Illinois Route 90 just east of Feuct Road near Princeville when he was hit from behind by Cherry.

Jackson, who was wearing a helmet, was thrown into the ditch where other motorists unsuccessfully performed CPR before paramedics arrived. He was pronounced dead at 1:35 p.m. at the scene.

Jackson's death was ruled a homicide by the jury.

"A traffic investigator determined after examining the tire and evidence left on the roadway that the tire did not blow prior to striking the bicyclist," Asbell said.

But twice before police concluded their investigation, Cherry told investigators the tire on his van blew out and caused him to hit Jackson.

Cherry also guessed he was traveling 60 to 70 mph at the time of the crash, Asbell said. The speed limit on that stretch of Route 90 is 55 mph.

Cherry's van, a 1992 Plymouth Voyager, was inspected for mechanical problems, but none was found, Asbell said. Cherry agreed to submit to alcohol and drug tests after the crash, and both tests were negative.

Police ticketed Cherry for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident. Asbell said he didn't expect any criminal charges to be filed.

Unbelievable.  I'm sickened.