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Doctor convicted of road rage against 2 cyclists
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LA, CA July 4th, 2008 road rage related accident.
Los Angeles ER Doctor Christopher Thompson was convicted Monday of multiple felony counts in relation to a July 4, 2008 road rage incident in his neighborhood. Dr. Thompson was convicted of six felonies: two counts each of assault with a deadly weapon, battery as well as reckless driving. He was also convicted of misdemeanor reckless driving. This trial was watched from across the country by many cyclists looking for justice, and a representation of their rights on the roadways.
The July 4th 2008 incident occured in a prime riding location in Los Angeles, where several hundred cyclists were riding through a frequented neighborhood called Mandeville Canyon. Dr. Thompson was impeded in his progress in his car, being frustrated many times before on this same road, he yelled at the cyclists, attempted to pass, and after passing abruptly slammed his brakes. In his defence, it was stated he was attempting to take a picture of the cyclists in question so that he could turn them in for riding two abreast (legal in California and most states) and impeding the flow of traffic.
Upon stopping in front of the cyclists, two impacted his car, another narrowly avoided the collision by jumping onto a sidewalk. Both cyclists sustained fairly serious injuries requiring hospitalization, and plastic surgery for partial reconstruction of his nose due to cuts from the vehicles glass. After the trial, it was commented by those involved that they wish that none of this had happened. Christian Stoehr said, “It was tough for me, to be honest, it's sad for both sides. I'm glad it sends a message to the community that it is dangerous and we have to watch out, but at the end of the day, I lost a lot of my time and my life, and he's losing a lot of his.”
This trial has hailed an outcry from nearly every major city wanting to share the roads equally. That anyone using the roads should not have to take their lives into their own hands to this extent. Most cyclists admit that there are many amongst them that need to better follow the rules of the road. There are common areas in most communities that see riders and drivers alike roll through stop signs, or make quick right turns without necessary time for safety. Everyone can point out numerous safety issues that everyone should watch out for.
Ultimately, cyclists have to be extra careful, as their fate rests on another's shoulders, and that one mistake can be life or death for them. Accidents throughout Phoenix have taken several lives in the last few years. Pecos Road in the Ahwatukee area has seen several, as has other neighborhoods. The Ahwatukee News, a newspaper that covers the Ahwautkee Foothills area, has seen on and off again debate of the residents. This trial in Los Angeles should be informative to both sides, as cyclists have a right to the road, and motorists should respect everyone's rights to the road. Cyclists should also respect the rules of the road and ride appropriately. Gross misconduct makes it difficult for any respect to be gained.
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