A jury in Boulder County, Colorado has issued a guilty verdict in a trial against a man accused of hitting and killing a bicyclist almost two years ago. The conclusion of the trial comes as a relief to many who have followed the case, and who have hoped that justice would be served in the matter. The fatal truck accident left a 73-year-old cycling enthusiast dead, and has outraged many in the cycling community.
The crash took place on a Friday afternoon as the driver of a dump truck was leaving a job site and heading home. The truck was hauling a trailer loaded with construction equipment at the time. The driver testified that he was stopped at an intersection and unable to clearly see due to excessive foliage in the area. However, he claims to have determined that the road was clear before pulling into the intersection.
At that time, he collided with the cyclist, who may have been travelling at a higher rate of speed than the truck at the moment of impact. The driver was charged with careless driving resulting in death. A jury recently found him guilty of that charge following three days of testimony. Sentencing in the case is expected in May.
For the family of the Colorado man killed in this truck accident, the conclusion of the criminal trial may bring some measure of relief. However, the charge of careless driving resulting in death carries only a maximum one year jail sentence and a fine of $1,000. This may not feel like adequate justice for the loss of a human life. The family has the right to pursue a wrongful death suit against the driver, should they feel that a successful outcome could serve as an additional measure of justice in the case.
Source: Colorado Daily, “Boulder County jury: Christopher Loven guilty of careless driving resulting in death,” Erica Meltzer, March 8, 2013
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