A Tragedy
by Gary Shaff on Jun, 8 2016
KALAMAZOO — Five bicyclists were killed Tuesday night and four others seriously injured after a pickup plowed into a group of bicyclists north of Kalamazoo, police said.
In the minutes before the bicyclists were hit, police were actively looking for the pickup as they had gotten three separate calls from concerned citizens that the driver was driving erratically, police said.
The bicyclists were in an organized group riding north on North Westnedge Avenue in Cooper Township when they were struck from behind shortly after 6:30 p.m., authorities say. The crash appears to be the worst in memory in terms of cyclists killed in a traffic collision.
Custer Cyclery, a shop in Augusta, shared this message on their Facebook page: “Our thoughts are with those injured and those lives lost so needlessly. I’m sure there will be friends, families and customers involved and their lives will never be the same. Drunk or Distracted there is really no excuse for not paying attention and respecting human life.” The business reminded drivers to put their phones away, don’t drink and drive, and look twice before pulling out in front of a cyclist or motorcyclist. “We are not just bicyclists but Mothers, Fathers, Children, Husbands, Wives, Sisters, Brothers, Aunts, Uncles, Sons and Daughters,” the Facebook post continues. “God please embrace those injured and open your arms to those taken tonight.”
You can HELP.
Update…… Charles Pickett, the driver of the pick-up, faces five counts of second-degree murder, along with four felony counts of reckless driving causing serious impairment, when he is arraigned, possibly on Friday.
Kalamazoo County Prosecutor Jeffrey Getting, at a Thursday afternoon news conference, declined to elaborate on how he arrived at the murder charges, which require intent to kill or willful disregard of the likelihood that one’s actions would cause death. Intoxication is not mentioned among the criminal charges. Getting said more evidence is being analyzed at Michigan State Police crime labs, and more charges are possible.
Leave a Comment
Scheduled Rides
View All Scheduled Rides-
Thursday, Mar 28
-
Thursday morning Ride
Start time Varies: Meet at Jacksonville Library
20-40 Miles, Moderate / Brisk (14 - 18+ mph), Hilly
Contact: John Fries - 541-973-1586
-
-
Saturday, Mar 30
-
Velo Melo Ride 3/30
11:00am: Meet at Jacksonville Library
31 Miles, Moderate (11-14 mph), Some Hills
Contact: Robin Dressler - robincdressler@gmail.com
-
Velo Melo
Start time Varies: Start Location Varies
25-30 Miles, Mellow (11-14 mph), Some Hills
Contact: Lisa Brill -
-
Brisk Ride
Start time Varies: Start Location Varies
50+ Miles, Brisk (>18 mph), Hilly
Contact: Dennis Cramer - 541-773-5804
-
-
Monday, Apr 1
-
Monday Coffee Ride
10:30am: Meet at Colver Park in Phoenix
25-30 Miles, Moderate / Brisk (14 - 18+ mph), Some Hills
Contact: Dennis Cramer - 541-773-5804
-
Blogs & News
-
Remember: Be courteous when riding on SW Terwilliger sidewalk
The path adjacent to the bike lane is popular with walkers and joggers who don't expect fast-moving riders.
Latest headlines from BikePortland | 03/28/24 | 7:17am
-
Interview with Cassie Wilson, author of a new report that’s required reading for transportation advocates
An inside look at the past and future of how Oregon funds and implements transportation projects and policies.
Latest headlines from BikePortland | 03/26/24 | 1:03pm
-
Get crafty, toast our co-host, and be a movie star at Bike Happy Hour this week
Make an inner-tube lanyard for your name card, toast a regular, and make your screen debut.
Latest headlines from BikePortland | 03/26/24 | 12:16pm
-
Ski Bike
When I first suggested the idea of merging skiing with bikepacking to Diego, his round blue eyes widened, and his eyebrows shot up in surpri...
Adventure Cycling Association | 03/20/24 | 11:06am
-
Road Test: Wilde Supertramp
Despite their prevalence in society, bikes aren’t commonly featured in mass-consumed media. At least, not for stories set in the modern da...
Adventure Cycling Association | 03/20/24 | 9:19am
-
Watch the Eclipse from Your Bicycle
An estimated about 21 million people traveled to another city to view the eclipse of 2017. Why compete with the crowds this year? Bike campi...
Adventure Cycling Association | 03/15/24 | 3:08pm
-
Kate Veronneau Interview: The Future Of Women’s Cycling
The post Kate Veronneau Interview: The Future Of Women’s Cycling appeared first on Femme Cyclist.
Femme Cyclist | 03/12/24 | 9:42am
-
Sarah Swallow Interview: Adventure Cycling & Community Organizing
The post Sarah Swallow Interview: Adventure Cycling & Community Organizing appeared first on Femme Cyclist.
Femme Cyclist | 02/27/24 | 9:10am
-
Terry Mixie Bike Liner Review
The post Terry Mixie Bike Liner Review appeared first on Femme Cyclist.
Femme Cyclist | 02/02/24 | 12:52pm