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Yes Francis, we were fortunate that day. Saturday morning I called Henry and we decided not to ride with the club, although we usually went along what the club route was on schedule on weekends even if we're late. Instead 3 of us (Henry, Jose whom you rode with on the Grand Tour 300 and myself) decided to go to Foothill and do the Little Tujunga climb.
The accident occurred just below the Lodge biker bar on Bouquet as a single line of riders rounded a corner; SCVELO members Larry Verdugo, Bari Waalk, Bob Wright, Shawn Fluken, Mike Berretta, Chad Lewin, Jimmy Jimenez, George Munana and Joe Novotny were descending at speed when the F150 truck drove straight into the group; there was no time to react and the riders were struck in various degrees.. There was a following group including Tony Tannehill and Bob Santaella that came upon the scene, and the Sheriffs were there almost immediately. Although medical aid arrived quickly, Joe was killed on the spot. The CHP received a call that there was an erractic driver on Bouquet and Urbandale. One officer remained at the scene, his partner continued north to Lake Elizabeth where the driver was apprehended. The authorities closed the road as a crime scene and it was sometime before everyone was able to leave and return home.
One of our club member had a friend at the local CHP office. The driver as we all know by now was an underage drinker. He will be arraigned this Tuesday and the CHP is dilligently working to get the report completed. The driver was apx 3 times over the legal limit but has no priors. I'm sure this is no consolation; but he'll be going away for a very long time. As he said there are 2 victims; obviously Joe, but a young kid who just threw his life away.
Our club here has been getting new members showing up on weekends. Joe Novotny and his wife moved to Santa Clarita earlier this year from Belgium and he has been actively riding with the club for a few months.
As for all of us, we are extremely heart broken by this tragedy. We just wished that those who had been injured will recover well and recover from this traumatic experience. These days whenever I plan to ride off the bike path here on our area I usually bring a riding buddy along with me. I know it doesnt make you more safer but it gives you some confidence and thats all we need when we hear tragedies like this.
Will keep you posted....Ride safe everyone.
Reggie Ferraz
--- On Mon, 7/13/09, Francis-Marlon Ignacio <fmyignacio@yahoo.com> wrote:
From: Francis-Marlon Ignacio <fmyignacio@yahoo.com>
Subject: [ADOBO Velo Cycling Club] Re: Cycling incidents/accidents
To: ADOBOvelo@yahoogroups.com
Date: Monday, July 13, 2009, 10:44 AM
According to the Santa Clarita paper, a rider was also seriously injured by a motorist last week along Sierra Hwy. in Santa Clarita. Santa Clarita Velo Cyclist Saturday July 11, 3 cyclist hit by drunk driver on Bouquet Cyn at 11:00am.. It was a group ride..They were climbing and a car from opposite road drifted to the opposite road and hit 3 Santa Clarita riders. One died at the scene, 2 minor injuries.. These riders are friends of Reggie Ferraz from Santa Clarita Velo...
>
> Our condolence to Joe N. Family and his Santa Clarita Riders..
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> Reggie..If you have anymore details, you can post on the Adobo YahooGroup.
>
> -ROSALIE
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