mbailey

On Saturday, July 5, 2017 on the Natchez Trace Parkway in Williamson County, TN a rider caught on his GoPro an SUV intentionally hit his riding companion, knock him off his bicycle and drive off. The Park Rangers and the Williamson County deputies have arrested the driver and he faces a host of charges, including a felony charge. The video is available on YouTube and many other sites but I can't get a link to work. On Facebook at the Natchez Trace page, there is an official description of what happened.

The driver was an administrator at a private school in Nashville, 58 years old, and driving a late model Volvo. A decal for Dartmouth is visible in his back window. Making this case slightly unusual is that it will not be just the local district attorney bringing charges but also the U.S. Attorney.

Hopefully, while this cretin is in prison he can study up on how his car insurance will not pay for intentional acts and that he's going to be paying for the civil suit he will surely face.

genec

here is the video on a news site

Hit-and-run on cyclist on Natchez Trace in Williamson County caught on video | WBIR.com

Too bad their logo bar obscures the action somewhat.

Here is a better version of the video:
Vehicle Hits Cyclist, Flees; Captured On Video - NewsChannel 5 Nashville

Chris0516

I am glad the driver was caught. I thought the WBIR posting of the video was better. But you are right about the logo being better in News Channel 5 posting of the video.

genec

Yeah, clearly the driver hits the cyclist... and saw and honked at the cyclist... there is no excuse for that action at all. I hope they throw the book at that motorist.

berner

A person who derives satisfaction from injury to others is a sociopath. About 1 in 20 people have this condition so it is common. An interesting fact about sociopaths is that they seek employment in areas where their malady is most likely to remain hidden. In one case I know of, the man was a high school principal dealing drugs on the side.

mbailey

I may be a sociopath too then - because I will derive satisfaction from seeing this motorist financially injured.

JohnX

unbelievable. I am curious to find out what his excuse is going to be. I did hear the honk, but it could have been from the truck. That looks to be a Ford F-150 that passed by-sounds just like mine. so it could have been its horn. but it is hard to figure out how that could have been anything but intentional. i am sure they will come up with some excuse.

mbailey

An excuse is going to be tough. There are apparently witnesses saying this car had tried this before. And even in the extremely unlikely event the collision was an "accident," how do you get past hit and run, leaving the scene, and failure to render aid???

TenSpeedV2

Whatever you all do, don't read the Facebook/red site/whatever comments regarding this. Completely infuriating, so much anger and misunderstanding regarding the law and location. Blame placed on the cyclists of course. Makes me pretty sick to be honest.

TenSpeedV2

I think that it is unclear. Doesn't really matter at this point. The driver hit the cyclist, and left. Be it on purpose or not, the driver continued on like nothing happened. That leads me to believe that it was intentional, or the driver was impaired. The fact that it is a federal park will definitely add a twist to the scenario. I am not sure that this wouldn't have happened even if they were single file to be honest.

1989Pre 

Well, this blows my mind...I was just about ready to start thinking that the really malicious acts were caused only by malcontent curmudgeons like that guy in Michigan that drove into a cycle club ride (I don't want to say his name).
Here, we have what appears to be someone involved in an upper echelon of education, and apparently from an Ivy League college.., driving a Volvo, no-less.
This doesn't add-up: He needs to be investigated by law enforcement.., particularly forensic psychologists, so that they get a clear understanding of this drastic departure from civility, maturity and professionalism.

mr_bill

Specific information on bicycling in Natchez Trace is here.

-mr. bill

genec

So the cyclist may be in the wrong for riding two abreast... but the driver... he's charged with the following...

I'd consider adding: being a doosh for attempting to enforce cycling laws with an SUV.
TN man arrested after striking cyclist on Natchez Trace, leaving - MSNewsNow.com - Jackson, MS

BikeLite

Yep, the driver was probably mad about riding abreast another cyclist, but that gives him no right to cause bodily harm.

TenSpeedV2

The thing is that this took place in Tennessee, where it apparently is legal to ride two abreast. Now, not sure which rule overrules the other in this case. Regardless, no one should be hit by a vehicle while riding their bike.

This is also posted under the rules for the drivers:

Watch for bicyclists as they have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists. Share the road and give at least 3 feet of space when passing.

That looked like a little less than 3 feet.

canklecat

Yeah, those Fakebook cycling advocacy groups are increasingly infested with anti-cycling trolls and MUPpets who wouldn't ride on a public street unless it's a sponsored group ride with a police escort. They're basically grownup kids playing with carbon fiber road bikes on the sidewalk/MUP shared by joggers, pedestrians, kids and dogs. They drive their SUVs to and from the MUP parking lots. They'll incorrectly cite "far right as possible" non-existent laws and the "asking for it" defense.

Best strategy for the defense attorney is to fill the jury with those kinds of cyclists.

ItsJustMe

I believe that it's legal to ride two abreast in most states. Not all but more than half.

ItsJustMe

I read elsewhere that the driver behind the hit and run driver stopped to see if the victim was OK, and said that he had witnessed the same guy running a cyclist off the road previously. He's a serial offender. Good thing they finally got good evidence to get this guy stopped.

JohnX

Nice work, thank you.

i still think the driver will get convicted of something, probably a plea bargain.

Marcus_Ti

Unsafe pass (double yellow line, blind curve), hit-and-run, fleeing the scene of an accident....Those three are probably enough to revoke his current license....least they would be in Nebraska's "points" system.

Ball Bearing

So glad that this guy was caught. I hope he does jail time.

It is legal to ride two abreast here in Western Australia - but I refuse to do so because motorists get enraged and the roads are not very wide. The law is one thing but the reality of following it can be very dangerous.

mr_bill

-mr. bill

10 Wheels

Yes Full Lane

Marcus_Ti

A double yellow line around a blind corner (or on a hill), over here means a No Passing Zone. Even if you can do a pass....it is illegal.

rumrunn6

if it was a cop on the bike the driver would have been charged with attempted murder