Charlotte Velo

Brett Morgan

cltvelo — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:25:01 +0000

January 12, 2012. Charity bicyclist, Brett Morgan was killed Tuesday Morning while walking to work uptown. Brett was crossing College St. at Stonewall St. with the ‘Walk Signal’ when he was hit by a dump truck making a right turn. The driver was charged with death by motor vehicle and failure to yield right of way. BicycleSafe.com calls this type of crash a ‘Right Hook’ when it happens to a bicyclist, but it is also common and lethal for pedestrians. The law states that motorists, even with a green light, must yield to pedestrians in the cross walk. The crash is still under investigation. Witnesses should call detectives at 704-432-2169.

Brett was truly a charitable person. He was a huge supporter for Habitat for Humanity and the 24 Hours of Booty. His family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the 24 Hours of Booty. Click here for Brett’s 2012 24HOB participant page to make a secure donation.

Brett’s family and friends have my most sincere condolences.

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Robert Grubbs, Get Well Soon – East Blvd

cltvelo — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 00:32:44 +0000

Bicyclist Robert Grubbs, 59, was involved in a bicycle-automobile collision on November 8th, 2011 at 10:47 am. Grubbs was treated on the scene for minor injuries. The crash occurred in the new bike lanes of East Blvd. at Dilworth Rd. East. The driver was stopped then started a right turn and crashed into Grubbs in the bike lane. Grubbs was traveling straight. BicycleSafe.com calls this situation the ‘Red Light of Death’. Bicycle Box facilities help avoid this situation when both vehicles are stopped by the light, but when a bicyclist is traveling in a bike lane and catches the light ‘just right’, stopped cars turning right are potentially lethal.

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Thomas Dee McSwain, Get Well Soon

cltvelo — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 05:20:13 +0000

November 15, 2011. Bicyclist Thomas Dee McSwain, 62. of Cherryville, was involved in a bicycle-automobile crash in Shelby. McSwain was taken to CMC (Charlotte) with obvious injuries. According to Shelby police, while traveling west on East Marion Street and being followed by a car, McSwain darted out in front of the car. The incident happened near the intersection of North Poston Street. The driver was not charged with any infractions.

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Find-the-Driver, Statesville – Elijah Houpe hit and in critial condition

cltvelo — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 05:46:09 +0000

Bicyclist Elijah Houpe, 19, of Statesville is in critical condition at Charlotte Medical Center after a hit-and-run crash Friday morning at 4am. Statesville police are looking for a dark colored Jeep Wrangler with significant front-end damage. The crime occurred on North Pointe Blvd near Aldi’s in Statesville, NC. If you have any info call SPD at (704) 878-3406.

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Chris Gongon OK After Colony Rd Left Cross

cltvelo — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 01:02:01 +0000

October 25, 2011. 6:38pm

Bicyclist Christopher Gongon, was hit by a vehicle driven by 71 year old, Gerald Anderson, on Colony Rd at the Morrowick Rd intersection. Anderson was making a left turn from Colony Rd., northbound. Gongon entered the intersection straight from the south bound bike lane. This was a classic ‘left cross’ collision. EMTs were on the scene, but according to the police report Gongon was not seriously harmed – the bike was damaged.

At this location, Colony Rd has speed limit of 35 mph, is two traffic lanes in each direction and has bike lanes. Anderson was not cited for any traffic violations. DRIVER #1 STATED THAT…HE STRUCK UNIT #2. HE STATED HE NEVER SAW UNIT #2

I wish Gongon a speedy return to bicycling.

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Dr. Mike, Get Well Soon!

cltvelo — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 01:57:54 +0000

October 1, 2011. Bicyclist, Dr. Mike, of UNC-Charlotte was involved in a crash on Pentlow Pl. Dr. Mike was taken to CMC with obvious injuries. The reason for the crash is unknown. Dr. Mike doesn’t remember what knocked him off the bike at 25 mph. The witness account is sketchy. The conditions were dry and it was still daylight. First responders included the fire department and the EMTs.

Dr. Mike is a serious bicycle advocate and a daily commuter. He might even read this post. Please join me in wishing him a full and speedy recovery.

According to Dr. Mike “That my bike helmet probably saved my life!”

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Representative Pricey Harrison (Dem), Get Well Soon

weldonweaver — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 01:33:59 +0000

10/10/2011

On Monday October 10th at 1pm Representative Pricey Harrison (Dem) of the North Carolina General Assembly, was involved in a bicycle-automobile collision. Harrison, of Greensboro, was transported to REX with obvious injuries. Harrison entered the crosswalk on her bicycle from the sidewalk and was hit by the vehicle. The driver, Travis Bennett, 21, was charged with running the red light. Bennett lives 12 miles from the crash.

Pricey Harrison is strong bicycling advocate. I wish her a fast and full recovery and a swift return to bicycling advocacy.

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Oh no, Mark Ortiz, not again. Get well soon!

cltvelo — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 23:12:48 +0000

July 19, 2011. 6:40pm. Charlotte legendary bicyclist Mark Ortiz was involved in a bicycle-motorcycle crash up in Concord. I wish Mark a full and speedy recovery. Here the details as submitted by Mark on CharlotteVelo:

I got hit by a motorcycle, Tuesday, July 19. This happened at the intersection of Irish Potato Rd. and Old Concord-Salisbury Rd., about 6:40pm.
The motorcycle had right of way and I pulled out from the stop sign in front of him. Entirely my fault, on the face of it — except I could not see the motorcyclist because he was close behind the left rear corner of a right-turning car approaching from the left. I consequently was not cited.
I sustained no fractures, just a big bruise on my left thigh and a sprained right ankle. The bike will need a new frame and some other bits.
The motorcyclist sustained no damages or injuries, and he stopped and rendered aid. He was very nice about the whole thing. He and his wife even went so far as to hunt me down by phone in my exam room at CMC ER to check up on me. Mark Ortiz

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Queens Rd, Hit and Run

cltvelo — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 22:56:18 +0000

August 7, 2011. 9am. Justin, a bicyclist, visiting from Atlanta, was struck on Queens Rd. He doesn’t remember the crash or exactly where on Queens Rd. he was struck. (the pushpin is approximate). Justin races regularly and has a ton of riding experience. It would be safe to assume that there was a motorist involved in this crash. Motorists leaving the scene of bicycle crashes are commonplace in Charlotte now. Justin was taken to CMC with obvious injuries that required stitches. I wish Justin a full and speedy recovery.

If you know anything about this Sunday morning crash on Queens Rd on August 7th, please call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

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Bike v. Motorbike – uptown

cltvelo — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 13:52:49 +0000

August 16, 2011 9:30am.

Update: Bicyclist Robert Connors of Charlotte was involved in a bicycle-motorcycle crash in the intersection of S. Tryon St and W. 3rd St. Connors was uninjured. The motorcyclist, also from Charlotte, suffered obvious injuries. Apparently, both riders ran the red light. According to the report narrative, Connors entered the intersection on Tryon St. before his traffic signal turned green and the motorcyclist entered the intersection on 3rd St. after her signal turned red. At the moment of impact, the motorcyclist speed was estimated at 25 mph; Connors was estimated at 2 mph. It is rare that a motorist is injured from a crash with a bicycle. I wish the motorcyclist a full and speedy recovery.

Bike v. Motorbike @ 3rd and Tryon right away this am. Yes, you recognize the bike. He seemed
38,000 feet deep in shock but physically okay. The motorbike driver in the gutter several meters from her machine appeared open, and broken.
Title, above text and photo courtesy of B. Fehr (#fb).

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