Battery of cyclist treated as Hit and Run

By WashCycle

From a reader who was hit and nearly run over on December 28th while cycling to work.

The details are as follows:  On Monday, Dec 28,  I was southbound on 4th Ave NE and I stopped for the red light at the intersection with Rhode Island Ave. I was in a marked bike lane. To my right was a right-turn lane; to my left, the lane for through traffic and left turns.

The light turned green and the driver of an SUV in the right-turn lane started blowing her horn and merging into MY lane because she wanted to go _through_ the intersection. I pulled forward, staying in my lane, and when she continued to use her horn I stopped to ask what it was that she was trying to alert me about.   She continued to use the horn, then looked at me as she pulled forward into me, catching my rear wheel beneath her front left fender.  This forced me and the bike down onto the pavement. I rolled away as she continued to drive across my bike, narrowly missing my lower legs, and totally ruining my bicycle.  She immediately sped away south on 4th Avenue.
I called 911 for police and ambulance, as I was unsure as to the extent of my injuries.  The officers and emergency personnel who responded were all courteous, professional and efficient.

For the driver to look right at me when stopped, then drive into me and risk deadly harm needs to be treated as nothing less than an assault.

At this point the incident is being treated as a hit-and-run, but given the intent of the driver to harm my person and property, I insist that this be classified as an assault and the perpetrator pursued accordingly.

I actually think it's at least battery or possibly attempted murder (if that's a crime in DC).

The cyclist had the license plate number, a description of the car and a description of the driver - all of which he gave to the police. The hit and run investigator has tried to contact the driver, but hasn't succeeded yet. Obviously, the cyclist would like to see this crime treated a more seriously than it has been. A few phone calls seems inadequate. And since he's out a bicycle, he's eager to get insurance information.

by B' Spokes

Like most people I live a hectic life and who has the time for much exercise? Thanks to xtracycle now I do. By using my bike for daily activities I can get things done and get an hour plus work out in 15 minutes extra of my time, not a bad deal and beats taking the extra time going to the gym. In case you are still having trouble being motivated; the National Center of Disease Control says that inactivity is the #2 killer in the United States just behind smoking. ( http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/bb_nutrition/ ) Get out there and start living life! I can carry home a full shopping cart of groceries, car pool two kids or just get lost in the great outdoors camping for a week. Well I got go, another outing this weekend.
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I hope the cyclist goes after the driver and pushes the local police to prosecute. Often this becomes, "It's just a bike, so it wasn't a felony hit and run since you are alive, the prosecutor declines to take it further because it would be difficult to prove the owner was the driver." This driver is a threat to everyone around them that in her eyes is an inconvenience. A massive claim against the insurance company as well as the driver might drive (heh!) the point home and leave her with huge rates and second thoughts about running people over.