[kendi]

Originally Posted by LuvNH

He got to 80 yrs old and then was killed in such a way. If she could not see due to the morning sun, she should have been going at a very slow pace or at least be stopped to check for traffic. Heartbreaking for his [wife] family.

Someone’s always gotta play the blame game.

[Steve]

Originally Posted by VApeople

What does it mean to "be spotted"?

You identify as a leopard!

[bragones]

Originally Posted by Bilyclub

Yep, it's too hard to read every post in a 3 page thread. This was on Hillsborough Trail which is a STREET.

Not to mention that the "Golf Cart Path" is a Multi Modal path. I have logged thousands of miles on a bicycle in TV with no accidents and very few minor close calls. Most golf cart drivers have been courteous and friendly as have I, always yielding to them and giving them room to pass when safe. But I digress....this is indeed a tragic situation and accident. Always be aware of your surroundings. Condolences to all parties.

[Carlsondm]

Originally Posted by russtcc

I wish walkers would always walk facing traffic on any surface be it cars, golf carts or bicycles. i don't understand not wanting to see what's coming at you.

Many walkers do face traffic, until something comes at them. Then they move to a safer spot which may be the other side of the path or grass. Walkers and bikers can use the paths, as well as carts. Courtesy please.

[LonnyP]

So very sad, she simply was in her own little world trying to hurry home and not looking out in a safe manor. Feel terrible for the victim's family. He makes it to 80 and clearly had years left and the miss I'm in a hurry to get home took the remainder of time from him.

[mike234]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

This story is horrific - be careful out there, and drive defensively, always assuming another car/golf cart could do something crazy at any moment.

definatly the cart drivers fault......but the guy on the bike, should not have trusted anyone while riding a bike........if you bike riders, and cart drivers, trust anyone on the road, you are soon to be doomed..........

[Gerrir]

There are certain times of the day when the glare of the sun on the windshield blinds the driver from seeing what is coming in the lane where the sun is setting… the windshield blockers don’t help. So sorry to hear about this tragedy for both rider and driver. 😢

[NoMo50]

After reading many of the comments following my original post, a few clarifying remarks may be in order:

1. The crash happened on a street, not a MMP.
2. It occurred around 8:30am, not pm. Therefore, the sun was rising, not setting.
3. The bicyclist, at the location of the crash, had 100% the right of way.
4. Despite how anyone feels about bicyclists in general, this particular individual had no obligation to yield to the golf cart, whatsoever.
5. The cart driver, claiming the sun was in her eyes, has an excuse, but not a defense.

You can easily picture this crash in your mind's eye. The bicyclist is riding westbound on HillsboroughTrail, with the sun to his back. The cart driver is driving eastbound, into the rising sun. The cart driver makes a left turn at Ichabod Way, directly into the path of the bicyclist. The cyclist runs into the golf cart, resulting in fatal injuries. The cart driver may have an excuse for why she failed to see the cyclist, but she does not have an affirmative defense. It was her obligation to yield the right of way to oncoming traffic, and she failed to do so.

Some on this forum have questioned whether criminal charges can/will be brought. One poster even adamantly stated criminal charges are not possible, as this was simply an accident. Not true. Under Florida law, the cart driver can be charged with Manslaughter, a 2nd degree felony, by causing the death of another person through culpable negligence.

Will charges be filed? Who knows. It certainly won't be decided by people on a public forum. One thing, though, is a near certainty...the driver of that golf cart will be sued into oblivion for her careless actions. The law firms are, no doubt, already lining up to take this case.

[LuvNH]

Originally Posted by bluecenturian

What charges do you expect. It’s a traffic violation at best for fail to yield. Nothing in this information would come close to supporting criminal charges. It’s an accident, yes a tragic one but still an accident. There is civil liability but nothing criminal by no means.

Yes it is an accident, a preventable accident, but the driver of the golf cart did not stop. Does anyone know if there is a stop sign at this intersection, if there is the golf cart will be at fault and a civil suit will clean up. You cannot go around killing people and saying "oh sorry the sun was in my eyes". Anyone with any sense would have stopped or been more cautious if the sun was in their eyes and they could not see. She could have made a left turn in front of a car and been killed, instead it was a defenseless cyclist.

I get the impression from saying she is from New Jersey that she is a renter .... well she will remember this winter for a long time.

[MX rider]

This is so tragic. This guy was out being active, doing what he loved and living his best life. I feel bad for his family. Prayers to them.

But life is full of risk. I still mountain bike and ride motocross, and I'm a life long motorcycle rider. I sold my Harley 7 years ago just for this reason. Too many distracted/bad drivers out there. It just took the fun out of it.

I always assumed cars were going to turn in front of me or pull out in front of me, so I would let off and be ready to to take evasive action. That got old.

Now we stick to riding in the dirt. Still a risk, but we don't have to worry about bad drivers. Which unfortunately there are too many of those here.

My wife and I do ride our mountain bikes around TV some, but we ride defensevly as much as possible. Although I have to admit I worry about getting hit from behind when we ride in the golf cart lane.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by LuvNH

Yes it is an accident, a preventable accident, but the driver of the golf cart did not stop. Does anyone know if there is a stop sign at this intersection, if there is the golf cart will be at fault and a civil suit will clean up. You cannot go around killing people and saying "oh sorry the sun was in my eyes". Anyone with any sense would have stopped or been more cautious if the sun was in their eyes and they could not see. She could have made a left turn in front of a car and been killed, instead it was a defenseless cyclist.

I get the impression from saying she is from New Jersey that she is a renter .... well she will remember this winter for a long time.

Perhaps (re?)reading the article would help avoid the errors in this post.

[villagetinker]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

New resident here - really would like to buy a bike, but am second guessing my decision whether to or not - I don’t know if I would feel safe riding on the streets and paths of The Villages.

I have a very nice (but dusty) 21 speed bike that I am planning on selling, 26 inch as I recall, not planning on doing any more bike riding.

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by jimbomaybe

Multi modal paths are very dangerous, by putting pedestrians bicyclists and golf carts in such close proximity creates a hazardous situation, not building sidewalks saves costs for the developer, but golf carts are a popular way to get around, perhaps I am wrong but is there any enforcement of rules of use on the paths? A lawsuit is almost a certainty , why would the victims family and attorney not see the developer as a co defendant ?

Because the accident occurred on Hillsborough Trail, and not on an MMP?

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by WingedFoot78

Bikes don't stop for anybody it seems.

The bike rider had the right of way...

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by MidWestIA

I always here this happens when they hit their head - use a seat belt

Bicycles have seatbelts?