City of Saint Paul adds temporary curb extension at site of killed bicyclist
The City of Saint Paul recently installed a temporary curb extension at the intersection where Virginia Heuer Bowar was struck and killed while bicycling on Summit Avenue on September 27th, 2008.
At Wednesday night's Saint Paul Bicycle Advisory Board meeting news was shared that the St. Paul Public Works department took steps to improve the safety of bicyclists at the site where one was recently killed in a collision with a motor vehicle. The treatment employed is a curb extension which works to force motorists to turn their vehicle around the extension before proceeding forward down the roadway. This treatment takes away the ability of a motorist to barrel throught the intersection without stopping while also putting a stopped motorist in a much better position to see cross traffic which has the right of way (like Virgina had).
News on the investigation into this crash was also shared at the meeting. What we are hearing is that the investigation revealed that the motorist that hit Virginia was travelling at a minimum speed of 35 mph. It was stated at the meeting that the collision tossed Virgina more than 70 feet in distance. This information contradicts a statment by the motorist at the scene that said, "He stopped and accelerated, and all of a sudden, she was in front of him."
Lastly, it was said that the Ramsey County Attorney has declined to pursue charges against the motorist because, ". . .there was no evidence of alcohol or drugs involved. . .". Apparently the case is now in the hands of the Saint Paul City Attorney.
Good temporary solution
This is a good temporary solution and greatly enhances the safety conditions for everyone. Kudos to St. Paul for implementing this change quickly.
I hope the long-term plan is to eliminate the two-way segment within the median between Wheeler and Saratoga and reconstruct the entire right-of-way to the same dimensions found immediately west and east of this section. I believe this would add some continuity to the corridor (not to mention improve the safety conditions for cyclists/peds).
Of course he lied
It's the American way. Personal responsibility? C'mon!! It's not the driver's fault. SHE should have known he was going to blow the stop sign. And besides, it's not like he killed someone! Oh wait, that's right, he did.
What a scumbag.
"stopped and accelerated"
Zero to 35 in a second? Don't think so. The only credit I can give is that he didn't take off.
I see drivers running stop signs full speed, without even the slightest attempt to check for traffic. Bring back the cameras.
Why didn't he get a ticket???
He KILLED someone who had the right of way!!! What about that is not against the law???
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