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Osborn F Enready · Dec 29, 2005, 02:00 pm

I have a friend who is being convicted of manslaughter. He is HOPING to only get two years prison time, but his lawyer says that is optimitic at best.

His crime?

He was at a 4-way intersection in the country, that is a major 4 lane crossing a two lane. The intersection has a stop sign for the two lane road, and it is poor visibility from both sides when sitting at the stop signs.

HE approached the intersection, admits not coming to a COMPLETE stop, but checked both directions and was going less than 2 mph. (no complete stop) As he pulled out after looking both directions, out of his blind spot, partially blocked by structures and foliage, a BICYCLIST who was travelling at top speed in top gear hit his passenger side door, as the cyclist locked up the brakes on his bicycle, it launched him into the passenger window, slightly injuring the passenger, KILLING the bicyclist.

The big problem with the case, is that the driver of the vehicle, had recently had a suspension lifted from his license, but had not yet completed the paperwork to get it back as fines were due he could not pay yet. He had work privlidges with his vehicle, and he was returning home from work at the time of the accident.

The thing is, the police are saying that since the suspension was lifted, so were his driving privlidges for work, since the only step left was to pay his fine, and have his license re-issued, so he was technically driving without a license. This of course means, no insurance coverage also.

So, this person is going to jail for years, because of a "grey area" in the law concerning driving "privlidge", and the legality surrounding it.

The intersection in question is one of the most dangerous in the area, and has been up for review for a 4-way traffic signal now for 15+ years, with several fatalities there every year due to poor visibility.

An ugly, painful case no matter what stance you hold, or who you side with.

As a sidenote, the bicyclist was around 37 years old, and cycled for fitness.

A tragedy, but I still feel prison time is harsh for something of this type.

Dec 29, 2005, 02:00 pm	#9 (permalink) (top)
Osborn F Enready Principled Observer Location: Toledo, Ohio Posts: 13,925	I have a friend who is being convicted of manslaughter. He is HOPING to only get two years prison time, but his lawyer says that is optimitic at best. His crime? He was at a 4-way intersection in the country, that is a major 4 lane crossing a two lane. The intersection has a stop sign for the two lane road, and it is poor visibility from both sides when sitting at the stop signs. HE approached the intersection, admits not coming to a COMPLETE stop, but checked both directions and was going less than 2 mph. (no complete stop) As he pulled out after looking both directions, out of his blind spot, partially blocked by structures and foliage, a BICYCLIST who was travelling at top speed in top gear hit his passenger side door, as the cyclist locked up the brakes on his bicycle, it launched him into the passenger window, slightly injuring the passenger, KILLING the bicyclist. The big problem with the case, is that the driver of the vehicle, had recently had a suspension lifted from his license, but had not yet completed the paperwork to get it back as fines were due he could not pay yet. He had work privlidges with his vehicle, and he was returning home from work at the time of the accident. The thing is, the police are saying that since the suspension was lifted, so were his driving privlidges for work, since the only step left was to pay his fine, and have his license re-issued, so he was technically driving without a license. This of course means, no insurance coverage also. So, this person is going to jail for years, because of a "grey area" in the law concerning driving "privlidge", and the legality surrounding it. The intersection in question is one of the most dangerous in the area, and has been up for review for a 4-way traffic signal now for 15+ years, with several fatalities there every year due to poor visibility. An ugly, painful case no matter what stance you hold, or who you side with. As a sidenote, the bicyclist was around 37 years old, and cycled for fitness. A tragedy, but I still feel prison time is harsh for something of this type. Petition of Redress of Grievances: http://www.givemeliberty.org/default.htm Canadian Lawsuit Against Their National Banks: http://www.freewebs.com/classaction/ Osborn F. Enready