Sunday, September 07, 2008

Hit-and-run driver hits cyclist

The Belleville News-Democrat has posted a convenience store video on a minivan driver striking a bicyclist at the Crown Food Mart, 1441 N. Kingshighway, in the metro-east community of Washington Park, Ill.

Unfortunately, I can't post the video on this blog, so you'll have to visit the News-Democrat site to see it.

The accident took place about 1:30 a.m. last Monday. The victim, Anthony Jackson, sustained multiple injuries, including bleeding on the brain, several broken bones, and plenty of burns and bruises all over his body. He spent two days at St. Louis University Hospital and is recovering at home with pain medication and lots of help from his mother.

Washington Park Police Department Detective Kim McAfee said police have surveillance video that shows the driver and a passenger in the van.

"We also have a picture of the female who was wearing a white top with a multicolored design in the front," McAfee told the News-Democrat. "She was the passenger in the van. She got out, went inside the store and paid for the gas. The male suspect pumped the gas into the vehicle. All of this was captured on video. We want to give them a chance to turn themselves in. It's better that way."

Donna Brownlee, Jackson's mother, told News-Democrat reporter Carolyn P. Smith she is also upset because the driver has not come forward to accept responsibility for running over her son.

"He knows he hit somebody," she said. "It's like he doesn't care. This whole thing has sent me through a lot stress. My son lays up sometimes and hollers because of the pain he is in. I would like for the person who hit my son to turn himself into the police."

Labels: accidents, Illinois

Roger 0 comments links to this post 6:51 PM

Wednesday, September 03, 2008

Amish cyclists injured in accident

Two Amish men from Arthur, Ill., were seriously injured Monday when their bicycles were struck by a car near Charleston, Ill.

The good news is that both men are recovering from their serious injuries. Vernon H. Miller and John H. Miller of Arthur were reported in fair condition Tuesday at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, a hospital spokeswoman told the Charleston Times-Courier.

Two other Amish bicyclists from Arthur, Phillip L. Gingerich and Eldon I. Plank, suffered less serious injuries.

A car driven by Derek C. Phillips, 21, of Casey, struck the bicycles being ridden by the four men on Westfield Road a half-mile east of Illinois 130, the department reported. The accident occurred just east of the historic Five Mile House, which was built in 1836 and sits exactly five miles south of the Coles County Courthouse in Charleston..

The investigation continues, but neither the Times-Courier nor The Associated Press indicated whether the driver was charged or given a traffic citation.

Amber Kauffman, director of the Amish Interpretive Center in Arcola, confirmed all four bicycle riders are Amish. Kauffman told the Times-Courier that the four men were returning from a weekend visit by bicycle to Flat Rock, a village of about 400 people in Crawford County with a small population of Amish people.

According to the Amish Interpretive Center's Web site, about 4,500 Amish people live in the Arcola-Arthur area in east-central Illinois. Amish people first started settling in Illinois in 1865.

Labels: accidents, Illinois

Roger 0 comments links to this post 10:06 PM

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Watch out for armadillos!

Remember the tale of St. Louis-area native Dan Schmatz and his encounter with an armadillo during the 2007 Tour of Missouri? Schmatz broke his collarbone when he struck an armadillo during the second stage of the race.

Well, cyclists should be aware there are armadillos in Southwestern Illinois. Belleville News-Democrat outdoors reporter Rod Kloeckner tells the story of a New Athens man, Bob Rutkowski, who had an encounter with a live armadillo while hiking at the Kaskaskia River Fish and Wildlife Area. Rutkowski took the photo at left, which appeared in today's News-Democrat.

Dr. Joyce Hofmann, a senior research scientist and mammalogist with the Illinois Natural History Survey, told the News-Democrat that since 1999, there have been 130 recorded sightings of armadillos in Illinois. The bulk have come from 22 counties in Southwestern Illinois, bracketed by Interstate 70 to the north and Interstate 57 to the east. More than 70 percent of the sightings have been road kill.

Given my track record of hitting a female cyclist and a block of wood on the road, I know I'll being watching out for dead armadillos on the road!

Labels: accidents, Illinois

Roger 1 comments links to this post 2:05 PM

Sunday, March 09, 2008

'I wouldn't wish this on anyone'

On the same day that two cyclists were killed and another cyclist seriously injured when they were struck by a sheriff's patrol car near Cupertino, Calif., I had the opportunity to talk to a man whose life was changed forever by an accident.

As regular readers of this blog know, Gerry Frierdich of Belleville, Ill., was paralyzed from the chest down when his recumbent bicycle was struck by a pickup truck on Aug. 19, 2007. The group that's planning The Gerry Frierdich Road to Recovery Bicycle Ride met today to make plans for the June 1 ride, and Gerry was able to join us.

Not only did Gerry participate in a social way, he chose the winning design for the T-shirt that will be given to participants. Students at Signal Hill School in Belleville drew pictures, and the rest of the committee narrowed the field. Gerry made the final decision: a pencil drawing of a smiling, helmeted cyclist on a recumbent bicycle.

It's a simple drawing, drawn simply with a pencil, but it really does express Gerry's spirit.

The good news is that Gerry has made progress. He has considerably more motion in his arms and hands than he had two months ago when I last saw him, although he still has a long ways to go. Gerry spent many weeks in a hospital bed after the accident, and it takes time to rebuild muscle tone.

His long-term goal is to able to ride a hand cycle. Only time will tell whether he will be able to achieve that goal, but if anyone can do it, it's Gerry Frierdich.

Everything considered, his spirit is strong. He talked about the difficulty of climbing the Zingg Road hill north of Millstadt -- one of the most notorious hills for metro-east cyclists because of its steepness -- while riding a recumbent and hauling his golf clubs in a trailer.

"You just got to sit back in the seat and push hard," Gerry said of his secret of making it up that hill.

But one comment really struck me, especially since he said it twice during our conversation.

"I wouldn't wish this on anyone."

I'm certain that also includes the driver of the truck that struck him. The driver has been charged in St. Clair County Circuit Court with two counts of Aggravated Driving Under the Influence, a felony charge in Illinois. The case is pending.

As for the California accident, there's a wide range of comments on the San Jose Mercury-News and the San Francisco Chronicle stories as well as Fritz's Cyclelicious blog. I'm not going to jump to any conclusions here until more facts come out.

But one thing is certain: The lives of the survivors and the killed victims' families will be changed forever, and I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

Labels: accidents, Gerry Frierdich

Roger 0 comments links to this post 10:47 PM

Saturday, March 08, 2008

Arrest made in St. Louis hit-and-run

On Jan. 28, a hit-and-run driver struck a bicyclist in downtown St. Louis, prompting the St. Louis Regional Bicycle Federation to offer rewards for information leading to the arrest and conviction of motorists who injure or kill cyclists.

Earlier this week, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch ran a brief about an arrest in the accident. Here's what the Post-Dispatch reported:

Levelle C. Rose, 38, of East St. Louis, (Ill.) has been charged with felony leaving the scene of an accident regarding a collision that seriously injured a bicyclist Jan. 28.

Authorities said Rose's vehicle struck the cyclist, a downtown resident, at Third and Cole streets about 5:23 p.m. The cyclist, 48, was hospitalized for nearly a month and is now recuperating at his sister's home, a friend said Wednesday.

The story did not make mention of the Federation's reward or an additional $500 reward that St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay offered in the downtown accident, and neither the Federation's nor Slay's Web sites mention the recent arrest, at least as of this morning. Obviously no payout would be made until a conviction is made.

KMOV-TV, Channel 4, in St. Louis reported the accident shortly after it happened, and a brief story and raw video still are available online.

The Federation still is collecting money for future rewards, and you can make online donations there.

Labels: accidents, St. Louis, St. Louis Regional Bicycle Fedreration

Roger 0 comments links to this post 1:34 AM

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

The Gerry Frierdich Road to Recovery Bicycle Ride

I'm pleased to announce that registration for The Gerry Frierdich Road to Recovery Bicycle Ride is now open!

The ride will take place Sunday, June 1, at Central Junior High School in Belleville, Ill. Registration will be from 7 to 10 a.m. The cost of the ride is $25 for adults, $15 for children 13-17 and $5 for children 5 and under. You can sign up in one of three ways:

• Through Active.com (Active.com charges a small processing fee)
• By mail, using this PDF form.
• You also can sign up the day of the ride.

If you're unable to attend the ride, but still want to make a donation, you can do so through Active.com.

In case you're not familiar about the story of Gerry Frierdich, Gerry was critically injured Aug. 19, 2007, when his recumbent bicycle was struck by a pickup truck on South Green Mount Road in Belleville, Ill. The driver of the truck, Keith Joseph McCoy, has been charged in St. Clair County Circuit Court with two counts of Aggravated Driving Under the Influence, a felony charge in Illinois. The case is pending.

The accident left Gerry paralyzed from the chest down, and proceeds from the ride will be used to pay for Gerry's future medical care and other necessities.

Gerry, a Belleville native, is a 1977 Cathedral Grade School grad and a 1981 Althoff Catholic High School grad.

After high school, he remained in Belleville where, for more than 20 years, he worked as an award-winning Master Photographer with Crafty Eye Studio in Belleville. Gerry has earned the respect of others in his field as well as the thousands he has photographed. Gerry’s name, face and talent are known throughout Belleville and the surrounding communities. He has set the bar through his photography by his ability to capture the best in each and every one of us.

Before the accident, Gerry not only was a cyclist, he was an avid golfer, runner, boater, skier, snowboarder and archer.

In addition to seeking riders, we are seeking sponsors for the event. To learn more about the event, including sponsorship opportunities, visit the ride's Web site.

We hope you will be able to help out Gerry and spread the word.

Labels: accidents, Belleville, Gerry Frierdich, tours

Roger 0 comments links to this post 12:56 PM

Thursday, January 31, 2008

Reward offered in hit-and-run accidents that injure cyclists

In response to hit-and-run accidents that injured cyclists in the St. Louis area, the St. Louis Regional Bicycle Federation has set up a Hit and Run Justice Fund to offer rewards for information leading to the arrest and conviction of hit and run motorists who injure or kill a cyclist.

You either can make the donation online or you can send the donation to the St. Louis Regional Bicycle Federation, Hit and Run Justice Fund, P.O. Box 23086, St. Louis, MO 63156.

According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Three bicyclists have been hit by motorists in two crashes since Saturday, and in both cases, motorists fled from the scene.

A pickup struck two bicyclists Saturday afternoon on Olive Street Road, near Eatherton Road, in Chesterfield, Mo., Chesterfield police say. The truck, towing a horse trailer, passed three bicyclists riding single file and the trailer clipped two of them, pushing them off their bicycles and into a ditch.

About 5:40 p.m. Monday, a driver in a dark SUV struck a St. Louis man riding his mountain bike at Cole Street and Broadway in downtown St. Louis. KMOV-TV, Channel 4, in St. Louis also had a segment about the downtown accident, and you can see raw video, photos and a brief story online at KMOV.com.

The St. Louis BikeFed's fund originally was prompted by the downtown St. Louis accident, but BikeFed has extended the fund to other accidents.

St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay has upped the ante on the reward in the downtown accident. Saying that "hit and run is a cowardly action," Slay has added $500 to reward.

"This effort is completely grassroots," Russ Willis, chair of the Bike Fed's committee on policy and advocacy said in a press release. "We had hundreds of dollars in pledges even before we made the fund official. The ‘Hit and Run Justice Fund’ will continue even after this case. Especially now, with motorists being pushed off Highway 40/64 and onto surface roads, there is a heightened awareness among cyclists of the difficulties of sharing the roads with motorists."

Witnesses of the two accidents are urged to contact St. Louis or Chesterfield police.

Labels: accidents, advocacy, safety, St. Louis Regional Bicycle Federation

Roger 1 comments links to this post 10:27 AM

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Chief is coming home!

Gerry "Chief" Frierdich is coming home today!

Gerry, the Belleville, Ill., recumbent cyclist and award-winning photographer critically injured in August 2007 when his bicycle was struck by a pickup truck, will return home after spending months at St. John's Mercy Medical Center in St. Louis County and the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.

Gerry is paralyzed from the chest down, and he has limited use of his arms. Friends of Gerry have been remodeling his home so it will be accessible to him.

I've been spending much of the week working on a poster and fliers for the event, hence the lack of posts this week. The work on the benefit ride, planned for May 31, is much more important than working on this blog.

In addition to the ride and other events in 2008, the Kiwanis Club of Fairview Heights will be putting on The Branson on the Road show April 11-12. If you purchase tickets with the form at the ChiefGetWell.com Web site, a portion of the proceeds will go to Gerry's trust fund.

As always, you can learn more about Gerry at the ChiefGetWell.com site.

Labels: accidents, Belleville, cycling, Gerry Frierdich

Roger 0 comments links to this post 2:40 PM

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Chief's Road to Recovery

If you're looking for a bicycle ride for a good cause, keep Saturday, May 31, open for Chief's Road to Recovery bicycle ride in Belleville, Ill.

This is the benefit ride for Gerry "Chief" Frierdich, the Belleville recumbent cyclist and photographer critically injured Aug. 19 when he was struck by a pickup truck on South Green Mount Road in Belleville.

Friends and family of Gerry, along with the Belleville Area Bicycling and Eating Society and the Touring Cyclist store in Fairview Heights, Ill., met earlier today to start making plans for the ride. In the weeks to come, we will be seeking sponsorships from Belleville-area businesses to make the ride a success.

Also in the weeks to come, we will be setting up a Web page for the ride at the ChiefGetWell.com site, which provides updates about Gerry's recovery, and setting up online registration for the ride through Active.com. When both sites become operational, we'll post information here and other cycling Web sites to spread the word.

Gerry is making progress in his recovery at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, but there's still a long way to go. Gerry's unable to walk or ride a bike, but he is able to move his arms.

There's a strong possibility Gerry will return to Belleville this month. Proceeds from the ride will be used to help pay for his rehabilitation, renovations needed for his home and other expenses not covered by insurance.

Labels: accidents, Belleville, Gerry Frierdich

Roger 0 comments links to this post 9:46 PM

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

Gerry Frierdich shirts available at Touring Cyclist shop

The T-shirt that raising money for seriously injured Belleville, Ill., recumbent cyclist Gerry Frierdich is now available at the Fairview Heights Touring Cyclist shop at 101 Lanaghan Drive.

The shirt is being sold for $15 and is available in adult sizes S, M, L, XL and XL. For now, the shirt is only available at the Fairview Heights location of the St. Louis-based bicycle chain. Gerry was a frequent customer of the shop, and store manager Dawn Weber wants to do whatever she can to help Gerry. Dawn also is active in a committee of friends and family that is planning a benefit bicycle ride, which will be held either in May or June of 2008.

Here is a map showing the site of the Fairview Heights shop:

View Larger Map

Shirts also are available by contacting Sandy Gore, one of Gerry's friends. In addition to the adult sizes listed above, they are available in children's sizes S, M and L for $12. To place an order, contact Sandy at 4gores@charter.net or 618-277-5129. So that your order doesn’t get delayed, please specify the number of shirts and sizes. Payment will be due when your order is picked up. You can get more information about the shirt and Gerry at the Chief Get Well Web site.

Gerry was seriously injured Aug. 19 when his bicycle was struck by a pickup truck on South Green Mount Road in Belleville. He has paralysis from the chest down. He can move his forearms, but has no fine motor movement in his hands. Gerry is undergoing therapy at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.

Labels: accidents, cycling, Gerry Frierdich

Roger 0 comments links to this post 10:05 AM

Sunday, November 25, 2007

Educating and enforcing

The League of Illinois Bicyclists recently sent resources to Illinois police and sheriff's departments in an effort to educate and enforce the sharing of roads between cyclists and motorists.

The poster shown at left is part of that effort. It encourages officers and deputies to know the most frequent offenses by motorists and bicyclists. You can see a larger version of it by clicking on the image or by downloading the full-size version (19 x 27 inches, PDF format).

I think the poster, along with the PowerPoint presentation called "Safe Roads for Bicycling" (also available in a PDF format) and other materials posted at LIB's site, fairly presents the problems that cyclists and motorists create for each other. Among the materials is the new Illinois bike law card (PDF file) that includes the law that goes in effect Jan. 1 that requires motorists to give at least 3 feet of space when passing a cyclist.

The accidents that are caused by inattentive or impaired motorists that kill or seriously injure cyclists get the most attention by the bicycle advocacy community, and deservedly so. But the reality of the situation is that cyclists themselves sometimes are at fault. Hopefully, LIB's effort will educate cyclists, motorists and police officers about the rights -- and responsibilities -- for people who use Illinois' streets and highways.

The PowerPoint presentation makes some interesting points. For instance, it points out the worst offenses by cyclists:

• Riding against traffic.
• Traffic light violations.
• Failure to yield right-of-way.
• No lights at night.

As for motorists, the worst offenses are:

• Speed, Speed, Speed.
• Failure to yield.
• Disregard signs and signals.
• Turning and backing.
• Alcohol.

Another interesting section discusses teens and the poor and where they ride:

• Less-skilled, ride sidewalks.
• Prefer direct routes, need access to all destinations.
• Bike out of necessity.
• Ride at night.
• No lights or reflective clothing.
• Ride against the traffic.

My anecdotal experiences riding in the Belleville, Ill., area back up LIB's contentions. All too often, I see children and the poor -- sometimes those who are forced on bicycles because of DUI convictions -- ride against traffic, and they often ride without lights or reflective clothing at night.

I would recommend you review LIB's materials and spread the word.

Labels: accidents, advocacy, Illinois, League of Illinois Bicyclists, safety

Roger 0 comments links to this post 11:28 PM

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Tragic accident can't take away photographer's spirit

The Sunday edition of the Belleville News-Democrat has an extensive feature about Gerry "Chief" Frierdich, the Belleville photographer and recumbent cyclist seriously injured in an accident Aug. 19.

About 6:10 that morning, he was riding his bicycle on the shoulder of South Green Mount Road in Belleville when a pickup veered off and slammed into him.

Gerry doesn't remember the accident, according to the article by Sunday Magazine editor Maureen Houston. He woke about five weeks later, a quadraplegic. Cervical discs 6 and 7 in his spine suffered severe damage from the impact. Every ligament and tendon near the discs were torn.

He has paralysis from the chest down. He can move his forearms, but has no fine motor movement in his hands. His diaphragm is weak, but building his strength back will help him breathe easier, said his sister, Robyn Weilbacher.

Over the last couple of months, Gerry dealt with four broken ribs, a blood infection, pleursy, pneumonia, a collapsed lung, a traecheotomy, multiple infections, peripheral vision loss in his right eye, constant pain in his back and left arm, and a lot of wondering about the future.

"It's scary," Gerry told the News-Democrat. "You wake up and you just can't move. I'm taking it day by day. If I think about it too much, I get depressed."

On Thursday, Gerry was transported to the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago for up to a year of rehabilitation.

To raise money for his expensive treatment, friends of Gerry are selling the T-shirt shown at left. The shirts are $15 for adults (sizes S, M, L, XL and XL) and $12 for children (sizes S, M and L).
To place an order, contact Sandy Gore at 4gores@charter.net or 618-277-5129. So that your order doesn’t get delayed, please specify the number of shirts and sizes. Payment will be due when your order is picked up. You can get more information about the shirt and Gerry at the Chief Get Well Web site.

There is a strong probability the Belleville Area Bicycling and Eating Society will help friends and family of Gerry put on a benefit ride in the spring of 2008.

To date, no charges have been filed against the driver of the pickup truck, but my understanding is that the case remains under investigation by the St. Clair County State's Attorney's office. It was only recently that investigators were able to speak to Gerry about the accident.

Labels: accidents, Belleville, cycling, Gerry Frierdich

Roger 0 comments links to this post 11:56 AM

Wednesday, September 05, 2007

Chiefgetwell.com

Friends and family of Gerry "Chief" Frierdich, the Belleville photographer critically injured Aug. 19 when he was struck while riding his bicycle on South Green Mount Road in Belleville, have created a Web site, Chiefgetwell.com, where people can get updates about Gerry.

Gerry did indeed have surgery on Friday, Aug. 31. Unfortunately, the surgery uncovered some things that an earlier MRI had not. Here's an excerpt from the Web site:

Most disturbing is that there is a severed nerve in the spinal cord, and sadly there is little that can be done for something like that. The doctor is still unable to predict what the final outcome of Chief's injuries will be once all is said and done.

Gerry is still unable to breathe on his own. He's on a ventilator, and doctors hope to perform a tracheotomy Thursday and attempt to take him off that instead, the Web site reported.

Chiefgetwell.com has a link where people can e-mail their get-well message. Friends and family also are planning to put a message board on the site, but that wasn't up and running as of this morning.

Please keep Gerry in your thoughts and prayers as he goes through a very difficult recovery.

Labels: accidents, Belleville, cycling

Roger 0 comments links to this post 9:58 AM

Friday, August 31, 2007

Gerry Frierdich update

Gerry Frierdich, the Belleville cyclist injured in an accident Aug. 19, remains in critical condition at St. John's Mercy Medical Center in Creve Coeur, Mo.

In addition to the injuries he suffered, he also was stricken with a form of pneumonia that has delayed needed surgery. The Belleville News-Democrat reported in its Friday editions that Gerry was expected to undergo surgery today (Aug. 31).

"We thank everybody for their prayers and concerns and thoughts," Gerry's sister, Mary Skees, told the News-Democrat.

Unfortunately, he is unable to see visitors, other than his family, but cards are greatly appreciated. The address is St. John's Mercy Medical Center, 615 S. New Ballas Road, St. Louis, MO 63141. You also can send words of encouragement by e-mail through the hospital's Web site.

Friends of Gerry also are planning to set up a Web site where people can post their get-well wishes and other messages. I will link to it as soon as I hear word that it's ready to go.

Charges still have not been filed in the accident. The Belleville Police Department told the News-Democrat that the accident remains under investigation.

(This is an update of an item originally posted Tuesday, Aug. 28.)

Labels: accidents, Belleville, cycling, Gerry Frierdich

Roger 0 comments links to this post 10:00 AM

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Metro-east cyclist hurt in accident

Award-winning photographer Gerry Frierdich is in critical condition after he was hit by a pickup truck Sunday morning while riding his recumbent bicycle, the Belleville News-Democrat reported today.

Gerry, who works at Crafty Eye Photography in Belleville, has ridden frequently with the Belleville Area Bicycling and Eating Society.

Gerry was riding south in the 600 block of South Green Mount Road at 6:10 a.m. when Keith Joseph McCoy, of St. Charles, Mo., hit him from behind, according to Belleville police, the News-Democrat reported.

Keith McCoy, 23, who was driving a Chevrolet Silverado, apparently fell asleep behind the wheel, Belleville police Sgt. Dennis Weisbrodt said. McCoy's twin brother, Kenneth, was a passenger in the truck and also fell asleep.

Gerry, 44, was taken to St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Belleville and he was later airlifted to St. John's Mercy Medical Center in Creve Coeur, Mo.

Weisbrodt said the accident is still under investigation and Keith McCoy has not been charged.

Gerry and I worked together for a brief time in the 1990s at the News-Democrat. Gerry worked in our pre-press department, putting together the pages that people in my department designed.

Gerry took great pride in altering a child trailer so that it would carry golf carts, and he often rode his recumbent to his regular golf games.

My thoughts and prayers are with Gerry.

Labels: accidents, Belleville, cycling, Gerry Frierdich

Roger 9 comments links to this post 4:38 PM