Driver Pulls Gun on Cyclists This Morning

[Matt J]

There must be a trail....isn't she running for a local office? Even someone as computer illiterate as I could figure it out. ;-)

She is, mosquito commissioner, keep that in mind when voting folks. I believe she's the only female up for the position. She has also been selling her "artwork" on here for sometime.

 

[fisher]

Actually, I've called Walton county natives "locals" for so long...
No, I don't ride a bike that doesn't have a motor. I used to, but physical limitations prohibit it. Walton county already spent money to put in a bike path, and since the dough isn't rolling in as it used to, I'm not sure more money could be used toward adding 3 or 4 inches to 30A, although that would alleviate the situation considerably. This issue seems to be a hot topic all over, here's an article: http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_9823020
It looks like the remedy will be more regulation!1

Emergency room doctor arrested for allegedly cutting in front of bike riders, causing crash
Associated Press
Article Launched: 07/08/2008 09:35:18 PM PDT


LOS ANGELES - An emergency room doctor was arrested after he allegedly swerved in front of two bicyclists during an argument over rights to the road and caused them to crash into his car, police said.
Christopher Thompson, 58, was arrested Friday for investigation of assault with a deadly weapon - the car - and booked into jail, Officer Ana Aguirre, a police spokeswoman, said Tuesday.

Thompson allegedly argued with the bikers who were crossing his path on a narrow road and pulled in front of them, slamming on the brakes, she said.

The bicyclists were taken to a hospital for treatment of moderate injuries.

Thompson posted $30,000 bail and is due in court Aug. 1, Aguirre said.

The district attorney's office is deciding whether to file charges.

Thompson, who is an emergency room doctor, could not be immediately reached for comment Tuesday. Telephone calls placed to numbers listed for a Christopher Thompson in the neighborhood were not answered or rang busy.

Ron Peterson, one of the bikers, told KFI-AM he and another man were riding their bicycles when the driver sped past them and yelled something.

"It had to be road rage," Peterson alleged. "He barely missed me."

Peter Swarth, who said he was Thompson's attorney, said his client did not mean to hurt anyone.

"We deny there was any road rage incident," Swarth said. "It was a very unfortunate accident."

Swarth could not provide further details about the circumstances


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FG--if you rode a bike for serious exercise, you would understand that the bike path is actually more dangerous than the road. I was hit by a car riding on a bike path because the driver pulled into the bike path without looking for bikers. If serious bikers use the bike path, they would never get any exercise as they would be stopping at every single driveway and sidestreet along 30A to ensure a car didn't pull out in front of them. If you ride on the road, cars don't pull out until they look both ways (they don't want a car to run into them, but they don't worry about a biker running into them coming down the bike path).

IF you rode a bike you would understand. Since you don't, you simply need to get over it, slow down and enjoy life a bit. Most people on 30A speed anyway and need to slow down. I can ride my bike at or near the speed limit along several areas of 30A yet cars still insist on passing me then I catch up to them soon at the next stop sign.

 

[rajs4]

Newsflash!!

The Beach Breeze/Defuniak Herald has a full article in this week's edition- front page.

The article uses the initial SoWal.com post to tell the story of what happened, then quotes Floridagirl from her initial post, then identifies her by name.

Guess the article's writer, was as horrified as the rest of us over what happened AND Floridagirl's comments!

I've read this thread from the beginning and have been amazed at some of Floridagirl's comments. Suddenly however it's all very clear. A little background for you all. I have lived in South Walton County my entire life (33 years), I grew up here and now am raising a family here and am employed at a local business. After a little online research I discovered that I was one of the renters she is constantly mentioning. I was a young, single mother working full time. She was never compassionate at all as she has claimed. My daughter who was very young would be playing outside and Floridagirl would come by and scream at us saying my daughter was making too much noise and disturbing others! I'm not sure how a 2 year old playing in the dirt could bother someone but clearly she did. When I saw floridagirl's name in The Walton Sun I was amazed! I hope that the rest of WalCo catches on to what The Beach Breeze has exposed thanks to her comments.

 

[Chandra]

Start a new thread. ;-)

Taking this thread to ever expanding territory, but oh so much funn.

Originally Posted by seagrovegirl
Okay..this might stir things up a bit, but in this day and age, don't you think it is almost like being illiterate not having a computer????

I believe Wendell Berry put pen, er... typewriter to paper on this very topic.
http://home.btconnect.com/tipiglen/berrynot.html

 

[highwayjunkie]

You got it right mostly! Although, given the current state concerning cyclists and motor vehicles in the nation now, I would expect laws to follow.
I also wish for more compassion towards fellow humans who may be in a different culture, social status, etc. I do believe that no matter who you are, there is hope for a better tommorrow, people can change for the better. We are our brother's keeper.

what? huh? I have tried so very hard not to write anything about flgirl because I don't like watching people get torn down..... but holy poop? This post just makes no sense!! cyclist and laws....accompanied with hope and a better tomorrow..yadda yadda yadda. I think you are confused. I'm sorry that people are ganging up on you, I'm sure it sucks, but you need to step back there lil lady.

 

[Chandra]

I thought this was a timely and appropriate article to share. It's short with lots of pictures.

http://www.energybulletin.net/node/46298

Be sure to take note of item number 6.

 

[scooterbug44]

Since there's a well maintained bike path between me and most of the locations I would visit via bicycle, I don't think #6 is a big issue in Sowal.

Couple of the wooden "bridges" are getting a little rickety though.

 

[Sheila]

She is, mosquito commissioner, keep that in mind when voting folks. I believe she's the only female up for the position. She has also been selling her "artwork" on here for sometime.

I was joking when I posted SoWal Beaches Forum - View Single Post - Driver Pulls Gun on Cyclists This Morning!

Wow, my psychic abilities must be more powerful than I ever knew! :shock:

 

[seagrovegirl]

Floridagirl is not a Mosquito Commissioner, however she will be on the ballot running against Jim Crawford, incumbant.

 

[Paige]

Floridagirl must not think much of herself. She's only given $50 to her campaign. That's the only contribution, I might add. If she could only find that guy with the orange truck.