I always try to empathize with what others are going through. I have gone past some terrible accidents during all my driving so I can relate. Many of these were on US 19 in the Tarpon Springs/Palm Harbor/Clearwater area. I thankfully though never saw one happen nor been in any vehicular accident worse than a fender bender. Knock on wood!

There are some really nasty librarians though so I am not sure it is the librarianship training. There are probably a lot more nice ones however.

Just saw the auto picture. That's a lot of damage for hitting a bike. Car looks like it rolled more than once..

As someone new to TV, there are some very useful pieces of information in this discussion. I will personally try to be more attentive and more considerate when traveling in TV no matter how I am getting around. Unfortunately, accidents will happen. Hopefully we can all do our part to keep them at a minimum.

This is from the online paper.

The Highway Patrol is investigating this accident and after reading your post I would think the HYP would want to talk to you. Please be involved for the sake of the bike rider.

If that is what you are actually doing, you are creating a very dangerous situation for yourself and for those cyclists who are following the law by traveling in the proper direction. You could force other cyclists to have to ditch their bikes to avoid hitting you. Worse, you might get hit into oncoming vehicle traffic, with tragic results. I am glad that you haven't been injured, yet, and assume you haven't caused the same to others, but I sincerely hope you reconsider your riding direction.

I'm not going to argue or attack anyone. I am not near any cars, bikes or pedestrians. You guys need to chill. You get too emotional over some comments.

Being stubborn in the face of such good advice is very worrying. This practice is not only dangerous to you but to others. A variety of qualified people including a physician have urged strongly that riding a bicycle against traffic is very dangerous.

Please reconsider your stance.

:agree:
I've always heard...would you rather be right or would you rather be happy? In this instance I would advise...would younrather be right or would you rather be ALIVE? There is a reason you should ride WITH traffic. When you walk, FACE traffic. I think we all learned that in elementary school
Let's not forget the reason for this thread...a cyclist, minding her own business was critically injured. The driver of the car was injured as well. We don't know why this happened. Be careful out there.

you are missing absters point. because the car hit her from behind ab feels like its safer to be able to see the traffic rather than it sneaking up behind.

As is stated, we do not know WHY this happened. Was the cyclist minding her own business or possibly gotten in the path of the car?

My wife, son and I all ride albeit casually. We ride with traffic and in single file. Each of us has a mirror on either our bike or helmet. By paying attention. we should be able to avoid cars (that are also noisy) from "sneaking up behind."

Maybe safer for ab, but creating unsafe environment for others, and breaking the law. The law is written for the safety of all, not just one person. Ignore it, and you endanger others. Very self-centered attitude. And ab's accusing us of needing to chill out and being too emotional is a ridiculous statement.

But I suppose the best defense is a good offense.

A truly sad situation. Hoping a full recovery for all. Morse blvd is a very dangerous road due to many factors. I truly wished there was a separate multi use path all the down the road to the tunnel under 466. Hope all of us whether walking, cycling, carting, and motoring start looking out for each other on the road.

Buggy, read Challenger's later statement that the car was speeding up and slowing down, hit her from behind in the cart path, she was on the roof until he smashed into something where she was thrown a far way. The driver of the van went the wrong direction on Morse and crossed all lanes of traffic. The speeding up and slowing down was before he hit the cyclist.

One can only guess. He had to be cut out of the van. Both Challenger and Brightspot witnessed this and are having a very hard time.

Was always taught that bicycles are a mode of transportation and therefore should obey all traffic laws
Ride with traffic
Stop lights
Stop signs
Walk facing traffic
I am sorry this happened and will say prayers for all
Debbie

buggyone-I SAW this accident-the cyclist did NOT get in the way of the car.She was driving correctly in the golf cart lane.The car was in the golf car path both before he hit her and then when he hit her.In between he was in both car lanes including driving headfirst toward traffic going north.Luckily at that time no cars were in the lane going north.He would speed up,slow down,speed up,etc.The cyclist WAS MINDING HER OWN business.

Sure sounds as though the car driver had some bad issue going on. Stroke or something?

Speeding up and slowing down with someone on your hood?????

We may never know, but from the description of the erratic driving, it sure does sound like a stroke or some other medical problem, like diabetic shock or something like that.

I hope he was not driving drunk.
Prayers being said for all including those who witnessed it.

Allegiance-the speeding up and slowing up was before he hit the cyclist.It was while he was weaving in and out of all lanes.

update
 

The driver had a diabetic episode and went into a coma.
The bicyclist is alive as well is the driver. This is just a terrible situation and no serious allegations need to be made. How dare you all say it was either ones fault when noone knows what happened.

I am guessing that the driver who hit the cyclist is someone you know. People tend to speculate when something is beyond comprehension and very awful to think about.

Can you tell us more? People do care.

I am thankful for the many prayers that have been answered and will keep praying for healing for both.
Your anger is understandable and well stated.

It surprises me that a diabetic patient would not have a 30 second warning prior to a diabetic episode, but then I am not a doctor. But if I was he would not be allowed to drive.

The driver is my grandfather. He is the sweetest man alive, very independant and healthy and just happens to be VERY diabetic. My family and I appreciate all of the prayers and are praying nonstop for the poor woman. Unfortunately the hospital will not give us any information regarding her. He had a diabetic episode, hit a telephone pole, hit her and then hit a tree. He was not drunk, and I bet she was not breaking any laws. This is a terrible tragedy, and once he is awake will be destroyed to find out he has caused so much damage to another being. He has broken all of his ribs, his leg, his chest cavity is shattered and his lungs collasped. We are turning to God to lead us through this terrible time. Thank you for your kindness, and I can only hope people will think twice before making such harsh allegations against people you do not know.

He's a 76 year old man. Who still works everyday. Is fully capable and functioning, what would the 30 seconds have done if he went into shock? How can you blame someone for having a seizure, heart attack or DIA while driving? You can't. It's a TERRIBLE situation, but it is noones fault.

Gabriellaels, please tell your grandfather that many of us are saying prayers for him and for the woman on the bike. It's very sad. He is lucky to have a granddaughter like you.

prayers go out to your grandfather!

It's just such a sad, unfortunate happening. Nothing but innocent victims. Prayers for everyone involved.

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for your post. Your grandfather and the bicyclist have been on my mind since the time I passed by the accident scene. To know the circumstances related to this tragedy helps me rest a little easier. I will continue to pray for both hoping for full recoveries and I am so sorry this happened.

Thoughts go to you and your family. You are so right for those who have been with a person having a seizure, stroke, mi, diabetic or hypoglycemic episode there is no control over ones mind or actions. Please take with you the caring thoughts and prayers of the majority of the posts and ignore those who don't have kind words to say.

When such a terrible accident occurs it is only natural to wonder how it could have occurred. Even partial eye witness accounts posted here lead to questions. Why was the path of the car so erratic just prior to the accident? Why did it continue to travel so far after striking the cyclist? How did such extreme damage to the vehicle occur? Physical or mental impairment of the driver, some type of sudden medical event, possible intoxication....these are all reasonable speculations that were made by posters here.
I would take them as attempts at understanding rather than as harsh judgements or blame placing. Most commenters here are kind hearted and have offered prayers for both of the injured and their families. As do I.
That being said, just as persons susceptible to certain sudden heart arrythmias, or persons with certain seizure disorders may have their driving privileges restricted, perhaps very, very brittle diabetics should consider this as well. No matter how wonderful a person they might be.

Prayers for your family as well as the bicyclist and hers.

It was so vividly described that few of us could stop thinking about the victims or the witnesses. Many care.

You'll quickly learn that there are more "arrogant" people that just have to have the last word. Don't know what their problem is but just accept the fact that they have one and just ignore them. Thank God your not their "spouse" and have to deal with them alllll day :mmmm:

Intuitive people will know that many of those irritated with sidebar comments were and are irritated with comments that fail to center on the accident and people in it, even being irritable with those who did not read everything..

For example, I wish you would thank God these people are alive instead of being a smarty pants. Have a heart.

Thank you Kitty. And thank you Gabrielle. Please keep us posted about your grandfather.

It sounds like both of these accident victims have a long road to recovery. Hopefully continued prayers will speed things up for them. Prayers for both.