|
Cyclist Bill Oswald Recounts Hit-and-Run in Montgomery County |
|
|
|
|
Written by Administrator
|
|
Wednesday, 11 June 2003 |
An open letter from Bill Oswald:
A ride to Woodlands Memorial Hospital in an ambulance while strapped to a back board is not a fun way to end a ride.
June 7 about 10:30 a.m., B.J. Davis, Cynthia Ullman and I were riding west on State Highway 105 with the intent of turning left at the light onto Old Plantersvile Road just before Montgomery High School. As luck would have it, there was a lot of west-bound traffic, so we proceeded through the light toward the high school.
B.J. caught a break in traffic and turned left into the junior high driveway while Cynthia and I rode on with the intent of turning at the light on the west side of the high school. As we approached the spot where the center turn lane starts, I looked back and saw a west-bound vehicle in the traffic lane. I then looked forward and started to coast, waiting for it to pass so I could clear the turn across the west-bound lane. Cynthia was perhaps three or four bike lengths in front of me at that time.
That's when I was struck from behind by tan Ford pick-up traveling at an estimated 45 to 50 mph.
The impact tore me from the pedals and launched me over the handle bars and onto the road shoulder, where I rolled to a stop. At the time I hit the ground, I felt absolutely no pain because of the adrenaline rushing through my body. I screamed for someone to get the SOB who just hit me as he continued to drive away. By the time I caught site of the truck, it was about 100 yards down the road and back in the traffic lane.
Neither Cynthia nor I saw any brake lights. The truck drove away.
About that time, the adrenaline rush ended, and I started gasping for breath and rolling uncontrollably on the ground in pain. I finally caught my breath, so I rolled onto my back. Cynthia, who was not hit but still knocked down by the suddenness of having a speeding truck rush by only inches from her bike, got to me first followed by -- and I don't know how many -- motorists who stopped to render whatever aid they could.
Someone called 911, and the paramedics arrived in what seemed like only minutes. I assume they were stationed at the Montgomery Fire Department. They ask me a few questions to determine my state of awareness as they checked my vital signs and got me ready for the transport to the hospital. I don't know how long this took, but it seemed like hours. I was flat on my back, fully aware of the situation and unable to do anything except stare at the sky. Not part of a good day.
Upon determining I was stable, the paramedics put a neck brace on me and rolled me onto a back board. I think they strapped or taped down every part of my body except my left arm. That arm was kept free so they could monitor my blood pressure, get my pulse and insert an IV during the ride to the hospital. I had a short conversion with a DPS officer after they loaded me in the ambulance and then it was off to Memorial Hermann in The Woodlands.
Strapped to that back board the ride to The Woodlands from Montgomery seemed to take forever. I swear we do it faster on our bikes.
I spent the next 5.5 hours undergoing blood tests, urinalysis, X-rays, MRIs and visual inspections by multiple doctors. In the end, it turned out that I have a fractured rib, a bruised lung and kidney, bruises along the entire left side of my lower back, bruised left hand and numerous abrasions and contusions (aka, road rash). Most of the road rash is on my behind so it's obvious were I landed after going airborne. Sure beats landing on your head. The doctors released me Saturday evening, and when I'm not giving interviews to reporters I'm just resting the old body.
The only real concern at this time is blood in my urine, which signifies possible damage to my kidney. I'll know more about this after some rest and another test next week.
I'm very lucky to get out of this without a more serious injury. With the exception of the truck’s mirror, which was torn from the truck when it impacted my back, I was struck a glancing blow. Had the truck been over a few more inches, I may not be typing this letter. Looking at the bike, you can see evidence of the truck’s impact on the pedal and the handlebar. The mirror that did the most damage is now in the possession of DPS an on its way to the lab for finger print testing and vehicle identification.
There isn't any doubt in my mind that this was an intentional act. When I looked back, the vehicle was entirely in the traffic lane. In the distance of less than 200 yards, it came at least four feet onto the shoulder, hit me and was back on the road when I looked up and saw it driving off.
Had this driver fallen asleep, he would not have had time to recover that fast. In all probability, he would have driven completely off the shoulder. Had he been drunk, I don't think he could have regained the control of the truck and driven off without swerving. The lack of any intent to stop was also evident when Cynthia and I did not see any brake lights.
Saturday night I gave a telephone interview to a reporter from the Houston Chronicle, which resulted in a short article in Sunday’ four star edition, City and State section [Pickup driver sought in bicyclist's 'deliberate' hit-and-run]. The article caught the interest of reporters from Channels 11 and 13 and resulted in interviews from both stations. Channel 13 ran it as their feature story on the 5:30 p.m. news, and both stations had the story on the 10 o'clock news.
A special thank you to all club members who helped with the Channel 13 story.
Getting the story to the public might be exactly what is needed to catch this individual. None of this would have happened had it not been for the involvement of the cycling community. What they have accomplished in such a short time is amazing. Thanks for a job well done.The incident comes just weeks after The Woodlands Cycling Club, of which Oswald is a member, persuaded Montgomery County to post more than 90 "Share the Road" signs urging motorists to respect cyclists.
Thanks perhaps to media attention, a suspect has turned himself in to DPS. Bill says thanks to all that came forward to help and hold that money for now. Bill is thinking about a state wide crimestoppers fund for bicyclists who are assaulted by motorists. More later.... |
|
|
Cycling News