News

Driver Hits Cyclist, Fails to Remain at Scene

By RTH Staff
Published June 22, 2011

Hamilton Police Services seek the public's help in identifying and finding the driver who failed to remain at the scene of yesterday's collision with a cyclist.

A 49-year-old male cyclist was riding north in the curb lane on John Street South toward Young Street on June 21 at 2:30 PM when a minivan traveling in the same direction struck him.

He was thrown from his bicycle, suffered a head injury and went by ambulance to the hospital for treatment. The police news release reports that he was not wearing a helmet, but that the man's injuries are not life-threatening.

The minivan, believed to be a Blue Line cab, did not remain at the scene. Detective Constable Walter Niblock is asking anyone with information to contact him at 905-546-4573, or to call CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

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By Biker (anonymous) | Posted June 22, 2011 at 12:59:30

That really stinks. Not too surprising it might be a taxi, I commute by bike daily and cabbies are easily the rudest drivers to share the road with.

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By moylek (registered) - website | Posted June 22, 2011 at 14:06:01 in reply to Comment 65037

Indeed it does stink.

While I'm very cautious around taxis - who seem a little reckless at times- I am even more cautious around city buses: the way the crowd me sometimes - even when I'm in a bike lane - it seems like they are doing it on purpose.

Comment edited by moylek on 2011-06-22 14:49:31

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By Zot (anonymous) | Posted June 22, 2011 at 13:07:13

The Speculator is reporting that the cops seem to have found the cab abandoned
http://www.thespec.com/news/crime/article/551148--taxi-found-on-mountain-may-have-been-used-in-hit-and-run

From the story:
“We’re investigating to see if it is tied to our crime, but we have no solid evidence as of yet,” Staff Sergeant Greg Doer said Tuesday night. “We haven’t identified a driver, but we have seized a vehicle. We’re actively investigating who was driving the vehicle at the time.”

The vehicle was last seen driving north on John Street South. It had front-end damage.

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By John Neary (registered) | Posted June 22, 2011 at 15:49:38

One would think that Blue Line could simply instruct all of their van drivers to bring their vehicles to the police for inspection.

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By Robert D (anonymous) | Posted June 23, 2011 at 09:43:34 in reply to Comment 65057

Blue line has said all their vans are accounted for and without damage, and suspect this may have been a former blue line cab that was sold off.

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By Undustrial (registered) - website | Posted June 22, 2011 at 17:40:27

Hate to hear about it happening, but glad to see it getting some attention. This type of thing happens way too often downtown, and rarely sees much press. I watched a friend carried away on a stretcher from his wrecked bike at that intersection a couple years back...

It's time to admit that one of the main barriers to cycling in this city is one's ability to be run down in cold blood at will with few if any consequences for the driver involved. There's a culture of abuse here, and it isn't just a few "accidents" or the acts of a few "unwise cyclists".

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By Mr. Meister (anonymous) | Posted June 23, 2011 at 00:19:28

My thoughts go out to the cyclist and his family. Such actions by any driver are inexcusable. We can only hope that the driver is eventually found and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Maybe a charge of attempted murder.

I do not want to preach but if you ride a bike please wear a helmet. If not for yourself then for those that love you.

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By Saramom (anonymous) | Posted June 23, 2011 at 11:10:04

A cyclist was killed last summer just a few metres away at John and Forest.

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By seancb (registered) - website | Posted June 23, 2011 at 16:52:49

That section of John needs to be fixed. There should be only one northbound travel lane down the jolley all the way to hunter, with bike lanes on both sides and left turn lanes at each intersection. attempting to cross john anywhere between st joseph's drive and hunter is seriously dangerous - but the worst aspect is the downbound traffic from the jolley which just flies through as if it's a highway. as a driver, i find myself being guilty of it too because the street design strongly encourages it.

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