4 ms·

https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/maryland/driver-hit-killed-us-diplomat-riding-bike-sentenced-150-hours-community-service-fined-2000/65-a7188ab1-f8f1-4b

by jgeada 3y ago

https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/maryland/driver-hit-killed-us-diplomat-riding-bike-sentenced-150-hours-community-service-fined-2000/65-a7188ab1-f8f1-4b47-9f55-0fc2f5ba1b57 https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/maryland/driver-hit... https://www.bicycling.com/news/a30607392/group-ride-florida-crash-sentence/ https://www.bicycling.com/news/a30607392/group-ride-florida-... https://www.gainesville.com/story/news/crime/2019/04/16/no-contest-plea-community-service-in-cyclists-death/5423894007/ https://www.gainesville.com/story/news/crime/2019/04/16/no-c... etc etc etc

pclmulqdq 3y ago
Notice that none of those are "vehicular manslaughter," which means no implication of actual criminal negligence/recklessness on behalf of the driver. You get the news story because someone died, but notice how they tend to be relatively light on detail. It takes two to tango, and bad car accidents usually have elements of fault from both parties. In the examples you gave: 1. "a traffic offense for causing serious injury or death to a vulnerable individual while operating a motor vehicle" 2. "Despite that evidence, prosecutors declined to seek criminal charges against Vanderweit, saying her carelessness didn’t amount to vehicular homicide" - "Careless driving" is a charge they give drivers when the prosecutor wants to make a quick deal and doesn't think they can prosecute anything higher. I wonder if there's more to the story here given that there were at least 13 witnesses who could explain exactly what happened... 3. "pleaded no contest to overtaking and passing a cyclist without keeping a distance of at least 3 feet"
TedDoesntTalk 3y ago
https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/maryland/driver-hit-killed-us-diplomat-riding-bike-sentenced-150-hours-community-service-fined-2000/65-a7188ab1-f8f1-4b47-9f55-0fc2f5ba1b57 https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/maryland/driver-hit... "Current laws in many ways do not give substantial protections to victims struck by vehicles. As legislative liaison for the Maryland State’s Attorneys’ Association, I would welcome any discussion and examine any changes proposed to the legislature. We share concerns about keeping our community members safe on the roads,” said State’s Attorney John McCarthy."

by jgeada 3y ago

pclmulqdq 3y ago

Notice that none of those are "vehicular manslaughter," which means no implication of actual criminal negligence/recklessness on behalf of the driver. You get the news story because someone died, but notice how they tend to be relatively light on detail. It takes two to tango, and bad car accidents usually have elements of fault from both parties. In the examples you gave: 1. "a traffic offense for causing serious injury or death to a vulnerable individual while operating a motor vehicle" 2. "Despite that evidence, prosecutors declined to seek criminal charges against Vanderweit, saying her carelessness didn’t amount to vehicular homicide" - "Careless driving" is a charge they give drivers when the prosecutor wants to make a quick deal and doesn't think they can prosecute anything higher. I wonder if there's more to the story here given that there were at least 13 witnesses who could explain exactly what happened... 3. "pleaded no contest to overtaking and passing a cyclist without keeping a distance of at least 3 feet"

TedDoesntTalk 3y ago

https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/maryland/driver-hit-killed-us-diplomat-riding-bike-sentenced-150-hours-community-service-fined-2000/65-a7188ab1-f8f1-4b47-9f55-0fc2f5ba1b57 https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/maryland/driver-hit... "Current laws in many ways do not give substantial protections to victims struck by vehicles. As legislative liaison for the Maryland State’s Attorneys’ Association, I would welcome any discussion and examine any changes proposed to the legislature. We share concerns about keeping our community members safe on the roads,” said State’s Attorney John McCarthy."