Comments on: SUV Driver Loses Control, Kills Cyclist on Sidewalk in Los Gatos http://sf.streetsblog.org/2010/02/01/suv-driver-loses-control-kills-cyclist-on-sidewalk-in-los-gatos/ Covering San Francisco's livable streets movement Sat, 11 Feb 2012 18:38:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Larry http://sf.streetsblog.org/2010/02/01/suv-driver-loses-control-kills-cyclist-on-sidewalk-in-los-gatos/comment-page-1/#comment-136601 Larry Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:59:18 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=129161#comment-136601 Orphaned? Does Brianna have no mother? Are any close relatives able to care for her with help from the fund? Orphaned? Does Brianna have no mother? Are any close relatives able to care for her with help from the fund?

]]> By: Clay http://sf.streetsblog.org/2010/02/01/suv-driver-loses-control-kills-cyclist-on-sidewalk-in-los-gatos/comment-page-1/#comment-134871 Clay Wed, 03 Feb 2010 05:57:00 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=129161#comment-134871 Jazz, please do not try to put your thoughts out there as my words. I did *NOT* say or imply **ANYTHING** remotely similar to what you are trying to convey as my thoughts/words/intentions with this: "Clay, you start by saying it was the SUVs fault, which implies the brakes failed or the accelerator jammed, etc, but then follow through and talk about how the sun was in the way and the driver did not react appropriately!" As I said, I SAW the horrible accident HAPPEN. The guy in the blazer appeared to have been driving along at a fast clip, like most the other cars, but when they all stopped, he happened to have the sun directly in his eyes, due to his hight or whatever (as I was trying to get across the street to help out, I looked to the left and was blinded by the sun). My point about the blazer being out of control is simple: as soon as the driver hit the curb and the truck violently switched directions...at that point the blazer *WAS* out of control.... At the end of your un-informed opinion you *again* insinuate that I am trying to differ from the idea that the driver was responsible: you are wrong. I did not indicate that! The driver was 100% guilty for causing his death. I did not *ANYWHERE indicate that that mechanical failure was to blame. The driver may be a great guy, but he orphaned that beautiful little girl of hers. Please drop a few in the fund for her. Clay Jazz, please do not try to put your thoughts out there as my words. I did *NOT* say or imply **ANYTHING** remotely similar to what you are trying to convey as my thoughts/words/intentions with this: “Clay, you start by saying it was the SUVs fault, which implies the brakes failed or the accelerator jammed, etc, but then follow through and talk about how the sun was in the way and the driver did not react appropriately!”

As I said, I SAW the horrible accident HAPPEN. The guy in the blazer appeared to have been driving along at a fast clip, like most the other cars, but when they all stopped, he happened to have the sun directly in his eyes, due to his hight or whatever (as I was trying to get across the street to help out, I looked to the left and was blinded by the sun). My point about the blazer being out of control is simple: as soon as the driver hit the curb and the truck violently switched directions…at that point the blazer *WAS* out of control….

At the end of your un-informed opinion you *again* insinuate that I am trying to differ from the idea that the driver was responsible: you are wrong. I did not indicate that! The driver was 100% guilty for causing his death. I did not *ANYWHERE indicate that that mechanical failure was to blame.

The driver may be a great guy, but he orphaned that beautiful little girl of hers.

Please drop a few in the fund for her.

Clay

]]> By: Calvin http://sf.streetsblog.org/2010/02/01/suv-driver-loses-control-kills-cyclist-on-sidewalk-in-los-gatos/comment-page-1/#comment-134841 Calvin Wed, 03 Feb 2010 05:19:30 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=129161#comment-134841 I'm on the fence about God. But I know there are many wonderful helpful humans on this planet. Please share this story to compel others to contribute to this girl's economic care. It'll hopefully be one less thing she needs to worry about. My prayers are with her and Josh's family & friends. I’m on the fence about God. But I know there are many wonderful helpful humans on this planet. Please share this story to compel others to contribute to this girl’s economic care. It’ll hopefully be one less thing she needs to worry about. My prayers are with her and Josh’s family & friends.

]]> By: jass http://sf.streetsblog.org/2010/02/01/suv-driver-loses-control-kills-cyclist-on-sidewalk-in-los-gatos/comment-page-1/#comment-134521 jass Tue, 02 Feb 2010 23:14:45 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=129161#comment-134521 Clay, you start by saying it was the SUVs fault, which implies the brakes failed or the accelerator jammed, etc, but then follow through and talk about how the sun was in the way and the driver did not react appropriately! You CANNOT drive quickly if you can't see. Speed limits are not speed minimums, you must slow down when conditions warrant. That's not a mechanical failure, that's gross negligence on behalf of the driver. Clay, you start by saying it was the SUVs fault, which implies the brakes failed or the accelerator jammed, etc, but then follow through and talk about how the sun was in the way and the driver did not react appropriately!

You CANNOT drive quickly if you can’t see. Speed limits are not speed minimums, you must slow down when conditions warrant. That’s not a mechanical failure, that’s gross negligence on behalf of the driver.

]]> By: Brendon http://sf.streetsblog.org/2010/02/01/suv-driver-loses-control-kills-cyclist-on-sidewalk-in-los-gatos/comment-page-1/#comment-134451 Brendon Tue, 02 Feb 2010 22:41:16 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=129161#comment-134451 Josh was my best friend.... Thank you so much for all of the kind words... He will be dearly missed.... Josh was my best friend…. Thank you so much for all of the kind words… He will be dearly missed….

]]> By: chad swanson http://sf.streetsblog.org/2010/02/01/suv-driver-loses-control-kills-cyclist-on-sidewalk-in-los-gatos/comment-page-1/#comment-134251 chad swanson Tue, 02 Feb 2010 21:01:06 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=129161#comment-134251 JOSH WAS A GREAT GUY AND DAD IS ALL I HAVE HEARD FROM FRIENDS AND FAMILY.......HIS 7 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WILL BENEFIT FROM ANY AND ALL CONTRIBUTIONS JOSHUA WEST MEMORIAL FUND (FOR BRIANNA) AT WELLS FARGO BANK IN LOS GATOS, CA. MY HEART GOES OUT TO THE ENTIRE FAMILY JOSH WAS A GREAT GUY AND DAD IS ALL I HAVE HEARD FROM FRIENDS AND FAMILY…….HIS 7 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WILL BENEFIT FROM ANY AND ALL CONTRIBUTIONS

JOSHUA WEST MEMORIAL FUND (FOR BRIANNA) AT WELLS FARGO BANK IN LOS GATOS, CA.

MY HEART GOES OUT TO THE ENTIRE FAMILY

]]> By: Clay http://sf.streetsblog.org/2010/02/01/suv-driver-loses-control-kills-cyclist-on-sidewalk-in-los-gatos/comment-page-1/#comment-134231 Clay Tue, 02 Feb 2010 20:51:03 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=129161#comment-134231 to this comment from Marc Jensen (#1 comment): "The SUV was not out of control. The driver was!" You are 100% wrong. I was the stationary witness (@90 degrees to the direction of travel) yesterday morning. The Blazer was out of control (the driver was no longer driving) at the moment it hit the curb and bounced up onto the sidewalk. The vehicle *was* out of control. It literally bounced through the intersection and impacted the (LARGE) stoplight pole several FEET in the air. That poor man didn't have a chance. Myself and two other people were the first to check for signs of life, but he was clearly not of this world any longer. The sun was really bright, just coming over the raised roadway (over hwy17)..in the direction of the blazer's travel (directly in the driver's eyes). It appeared to me that the guy was hauling ass, along with all the other IDIOTS at that intersection but when the rest of the cars bunched up at the intersection (effectively stopping), the driver did not see the brake-lights immediately and when he did, he swerved into the right turn lane...it was a mid-80's Blazer (the big old box version, not the modern one) and it rolled so much from the sudden lane change that it rocked violent and hit the curb, bouncing onto the sidewalk and instantly ending that poor man's life. I say "poor man" because of the incident, Clearly he was RICH in spirit and love for his daughter. I am not a religious person, but damn. Something good HAS GOT TO COME FROM THIS. I recommend donating to the fund for his daughter. Godspeed. Clay to this comment from Marc Jensen (#1 comment):
“The SUV was not out of control. The driver was!”

You are 100% wrong. I was the stationary witness (@90 degrees to the direction of travel) yesterday morning.
The Blazer was out of control (the driver was no longer driving) at the moment it hit the curb and bounced up onto the sidewalk. The vehicle *was* out of control. It literally bounced through the intersection and impacted the (LARGE) stoplight pole several FEET in the air. That poor man didn’t have a chance. Myself and two other people were the first to check for signs of life, but he was clearly not of this world any longer.
The sun was really bright, just coming over the raised roadway (over hwy17)..in the direction of the blazer’s travel (directly in the driver’s eyes). It appeared to me that the guy was hauling ass, along with all the other IDIOTS at that intersection but when the rest of the cars bunched up at the intersection (effectively stopping), the driver did not see the brake-lights immediately and when he did, he swerved into the right turn lane…it was a mid-80′s Blazer (the big old box version, not the modern one) and it rolled so much from the sudden lane change that it rocked violent and hit the curb, bouncing onto the sidewalk and instantly ending that poor man’s life. I say “poor man” because of the incident, Clearly he was RICH in spirit and love for his daughter. I am not a religious person, but damn. Something good HAS GOT TO COME FROM THIS. I recommend donating to the fund for his daughter.

Godspeed.
Clay

]]> By: AshleY cushman http://sf.streetsblog.org/2010/02/01/suv-driver-loses-control-kills-cyclist-on-sidewalk-in-los-gatos/comment-page-1/#comment-133381 AshleY cushman Tue, 02 Feb 2010 09:04:58 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=129161#comment-133381 Anyone who would like to help this single father who has left behind the most amazing 7 yo daughter please donate to a college fund at Joshua West Memorial fund at Wells Fargo or using Pay Pal at JoshuaWestMemorialFund@gmail.com. Appreciate everday of you and your loved ones lives Anyone who would like to help this single father who has left behind the most amazing 7 yo daughter please donate to a college fund at Joshua West Memorial fund at Wells Fargo or using Pay Pal at JoshuaWestMemorialFund@gmail.com.

Appreciate everday of you and your loved ones lives

]]> By: Christian Estes http://sf.streetsblog.org/2010/02/01/suv-driver-loses-control-kills-cyclist-on-sidewalk-in-los-gatos/comment-page-1/#comment-133151 Christian Estes Tue, 02 Feb 2010 03:41:54 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=129161#comment-133151 I feel the deepest of sympathies for the Joshua's family. I also ride in Los Gatos on a regular basis. What a tragedy this is. It's one thing to be hit while in the bike lane, but another to be hit while riding on the sidewalk. Though we have all lost people dear to us, there is absolutely nothing that can be said or done to offset the pain that his mother and father, and possibly a wife and even children. The loss of a child, a brother, a husband and a father is a horrible thing to bear. My wife and I are sitting here and we feel the sincerest feeling of regret with regard to this tragedy. Hopefully the driver will be punished far greater than that of the police officer that fell asleep at the wheel and killed our friends. This is just so sad and I'm sure that it angers us all. I feel the deepest of sympathies for the Joshua’s family. I also ride in Los Gatos on a regular basis. What a tragedy this is. It’s one thing to be hit while in the bike lane, but another to be hit while riding on the sidewalk. Though we have all lost people dear to us, there is absolutely nothing that can be said or done to offset the pain that his mother and father, and possibly a wife and even children. The loss of a child, a brother, a husband and a father is a horrible thing to bear. My wife and I are sitting here and we feel the sincerest feeling of regret with regard to this tragedy. Hopefully the driver will be punished far greater than that of the police officer that fell asleep at the wheel and killed our friends. This is just so sad and I’m sure that it angers us all.

]]> By: Melisa http://sf.streetsblog.org/2010/02/01/suv-driver-loses-control-kills-cyclist-on-sidewalk-in-los-gatos/comment-page-1/#comment-133121 Melisa Tue, 02 Feb 2010 03:01:13 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=129161#comment-133121 that was my cousin on that bike...thank you for the kind words. that was my cousin on that bike…thank you for the kind words.

]]> By: Todd Edelman http://sf.streetsblog.org/2010/02/01/suv-driver-loses-control-kills-cyclist-on-sidewalk-in-los-gatos/comment-page-1/#comment-133101 Todd Edelman Tue, 02 Feb 2010 02:59:44 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=129161#comment-133101 To driver: No, you can't offset this. To driver: No, you can’t offset this.

]]> By: amjasper http://sf.streetsblog.org/2010/02/01/suv-driver-loses-control-kills-cyclist-on-sidewalk-in-los-gatos/comment-page-1/#comment-133081 amjasper Tue, 02 Feb 2010 02:36:02 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=129161#comment-133081 What a tragedy. As an avid cyclist in Los Gatos, this is something I worry about all the time. How do we arrange for a ghost bike placement? What a tragedy. As an avid cyclist in Los Gatos, this is something I worry about all the time. How do we arrange for a ghost bike placement?

]]> By: jOie http://sf.streetsblog.org/2010/02/01/suv-driver-loses-control-kills-cyclist-on-sidewalk-in-los-gatos/comment-page-1/#comment-133021 jOie Tue, 02 Feb 2010 01:35:24 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=129161#comment-133021 Please, let's organize a candlelight vigil for this poor soul, and leave a ghostbike at the intersection in his memory. We need local media to convey the severity of this issue and beg drivers to exercise great caution when driver. This story has happened too many times. Please, let’s organize a candlelight vigil for this poor soul, and leave a ghostbike at the intersection in his memory. We need local media to convey the severity of this issue and beg drivers to exercise great caution when driver. This story has happened too many times.

]]> By: Philip de Louraille http://sf.streetsblog.org/2010/02/01/suv-driver-loses-control-kills-cyclist-on-sidewalk-in-los-gatos/comment-page-1/#comment-132991 Philip de Louraille Tue, 02 Feb 2010 01:29:51 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=129161#comment-132991 Yes Marc. The SUV was out of control - precisely because the driver had lost control. Condolences to the family of the man who was killed. Yes Marc. The SUV was out of control – precisely because the driver had lost control. Condolences to the family of the man who was killed.

]]> By: Marc Jensen http://sf.streetsblog.org/2010/02/01/suv-driver-loses-control-kills-cyclist-on-sidewalk-in-los-gatos/comment-page-1/#comment-132961 Marc Jensen Tue, 02 Feb 2010 01:08:43 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=129161#comment-132961 The SUV was not out of control. The driver was! The SUV was not out of control. The driver was!

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