Saturday, January 16, 2016
Map of NoVa Ped/Bike Crashes 2012-2015
Clusters of bike crashes occurred along major roads such as Routes 1, 7, 50, 123 (especially in Vienna), 236, and 237. Several crashes occurred in the Merrifield area, including two pedestrian fatalities, highlighting the importance of providing good bike and ped facilities in a rapidly growing area round the Dunn Loring Metro station.
Only one bicycle fatality is shown, on Columbia Pike, where Elizabeth Shattuck was killed. Not shown was the location where Andrew Gooden was killed on Sunrise Valley Drive in Herndon which occurred on August 31, 2015.
The data were also used to create a heat map.
From the news release:
NVRC Releases Regional Map of Bike/Pedestrian Injuries & Fatalities
The Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC) has released an online map indicating the location of bike and pedestrian injuries, fatalities and property damage throughout the region for calendar years 2012 through mid-November 2015. In total there were 3238 incidents that either led to an injury, property damage or fatality. Specifically, there were 3116 injuries, 95 fatalities and 27 instances of property damage. The data for the maps was provided by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.
“The purpose of this map is to not only demonstrate to our residents hot spots in the region where these accidents occurred, but to make everyone aware we all share in the responsibility for pedestrian and bike safety” said Debbie Spiliotopoulos, NVRC Senior Environmental Planner. “We urge our residents to visit our web site www.sharevaroads.org which provides common sense advice on the rules of the road to ensure safety.”
View the map with each incident plotted. View a heat map of the region plotting these incidents.
The Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC) has released an online map indicating the location of bike and pedestrian injuries, fatalities and property damage throughout the region for calendar years 2012 through mid-November 2015. In total there were 3238 incidents that either led to an injury, property damage or fatality. Specifically, there were 3116 injuries, 95 fatalities and 27 instances of property damage. The data for the maps was provided by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.
“The purpose of this map is to not only demonstrate to our residents hot spots in the region where these accidents occurred, but to make everyone aware we all share in the responsibility for pedestrian and bike safety” said Debbie Spiliotopoulos, NVRC Senior Environmental Planner. “We urge our residents to visit our web site www.sharevaroads.org which provides common sense advice on the rules of the road to ensure safety.”
View the map with each incident plotted. View a heat map of the region plotting these incidents.
Labels: andrew gooden, bike crash, crashes, elizabeth shattuck
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
Herndon Bike Fatality Crash Report
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| Sunrise Valley Dr north of Coppermine Road |
The road at the crash location is relatively flat, with two lanes in each direction, and the speed limit is 40 mph. There is also a right turn lane where we think the two cyclists were riding. The crash occurred just after sunset. No charges were filed against the motorist.
We recently obtained a copy of the report of the crash, known as the DMV form FR300P. We are concerned about some of the information contained in the report. According to the report, Andrew was "overtaking on a hill." According to the other cyclist, Andrew was riding beside him and they were talking. There was no "hill" and Andrew was not "overtaking." Because Andrew was talking, the detective working the case determined that Andrew was "Distracted."
More importantly, we are concerned about statements in the crash description, about safety equipment that is not required by law, that imply that Andrew was responsible for the crash. Our comments are in [Bold] within brackets.
This is the Crash Description from the report:
"Driver 2 [Andrew] was riding a bicycle (V2) on Sunrise Valley Drive just north of Coppermine Rd at 8:15 pm. He was initially riding behind another bicycle. At some point near the intersection of Coppermine Rd he rode up next to the other bicyclist and began talking to him (driver distraction - P4). [Since when is "talking" considered a driver distraction. If a motorist is talking to a passenger is that considered "driver distraction?"] At the time of the crash D2 was riding to the left of the second bicycle. Both bicycles were in the right of the two northbound lanes with the second bicycle riding on the concrete of the right curb and V2 in the center right portion of the lane. [We're quite sure there was also a dedicated right turn lane at the location of the crash.]
D2 was not wearing a helmet, bright colored clothing, or reflective clothing and had not applied reflective tape to V2 as recommended by the Virginia DMV. [This language has the effect of blaming the bicyclist for actions that are not required by law. While the bicyclists may not have had lights, streetlights were present and since the crash occurred just after sunset, there should have been some ambient light as well. Nothing was said about what the motorist might have done to cause the crash.]
"Driver 2 (D1) was driving a 2014 Suburban northbound on Sunrise Valley Drive in the right lane. D1 did not see the two bicyclists until just prior to impact. D1 applied brakes, activate [sic] ABS and turned V1 to the left. He struck D2 but not the second bicycle. After impact the operator, Mr. Gooden, was thrown approximately 81 feet from the bicycle and struck the pavement and curb.
"V2 is a Huffy Descent Rally mountain bike. The bicycle is owned by his employer Community Pool Services."
Motorist:
05/28/2008 09:30 AM 048/25 SPEEDIN
02/19/2009 02:00 PM TRESPASS AFTER FORBIDDEN (Original charge: Concealed weapon: Carry)
03/11/2010 09:30 AM FAIL PAY TIME & ATTENTION (Original charge: Fail to obey highway sign)
03/18/2010 09:30 AM RIDING ANIMAL AFTER DARK W/REF (Original charge: 74/55 Speeding) [Interesting plea bargain result.]
05/28/2013 09:30 AM OPER UNINSPECTED VEHICLE
09/29/2015 09:30 AM OPER UNINSPECTED VEHICLE Mark For Payment
The owner of the vehicle has also received numerous citations:
05/28/2008 09:30 AM 048/25 SPEEDIN
02/19/2009 02:00 PM TRESPASS AFTER FORBIDDEN (Original charge: Concealed weapon: Carry)
03/11/2010 09:30 AM FAIL PAY TIME & ATTENTION (Original charge: Fail to obey highway sign)
03/18/2010 09:30 AM RIDING ANIMAL AFTER DARK W/REF (Original charge: 74/55 Speeding) [Interesting plea bargain result.]
05/28/2013 09:30 AM OPER UNINSPECTED VEHICLE
09/29/2015 09:30 AM OPER UNINSPECTED VEHICLE Mark For Payment
Owner of vehicle:
05/06/2009 - 09:30 AM - FAIL PAY TIME AND ATTENTION
05/19/2010 - 09:30 AM - FAIL PAY TIME AND ATTENTION - 48/35
01/25/2013 - 09:30 AM - PUBLIC SWEARING/INTOXICATION
05/14/2014 - 09:30 AM - FAIL TO PAY FULL TIME AND ATTN
03/26/2015 - 09:30 AM - DRUNK IN PUBLIC
03/26/2015 - 09:30 AM - DRIV NOT RPT ACCD; DAMAG <$250
10/21/2015 - 09:30 AM - 57/35 SPEEDING
05/06/2009 - 09:30 AM - FAIL PAY TIME AND ATTENTION
05/19/2010 - 09:30 AM - FAIL PAY TIME AND ATTENTION - 48/35
01/25/2013 - 09:30 AM - PUBLIC SWEARING/INTOXICATION
05/14/2014 - 09:30 AM - FAIL TO PAY FULL TIME AND ATTN
03/26/2015 - 09:30 AM - DRUNK IN PUBLIC
03/26/2015 - 09:30 AM - DRIV NOT RPT ACCD; DAMAG <$250
10/21/2015 - 09:30 AM - 57/35 SPEEDING
Labels: andrew gooden, bike crash, crash report, dmv, fr300
Friday, September 4, 2015
Ghost Bike Memorial to Andrew Gooden
A gofundme site is accepting donations "to raise money for his Wife and Children back in Jamaica so that they may have the opportunity to live the lives Andrew worked so hard for them to have. Any donations will be greatly appreciated and given to Andrew's wife to help pay for funeral costs, and care of his soon to be 3 children." $5,756 has been raised so far.
The crash is still under investigation. We will post any new information as it is released.
Labels: andrew gooden, bike crash, ghost bike
Thursday, September 3, 2015
Cyclist who was killed was lifeguard from Jamaica
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| Photo from Andrew Gooden gofundme page |
Sadly, Andrew Gooden passed away Monday, August 31, 2015 after being struck by a car .
Andrew leaves behind his wife Denise, 2 children with a baby due to be born in October. Andrew arrived to work in the US from Jamaica in 2014 and returned again in 2015 as a lifeguard and pool manager. He was loved by his friends, coworkers and clients alike.
We are creating this webpage in order to raise money for his Wife and Children back in Jamaica so that they may have the opportunity to live the lives Andrew worked so hard for them to have. Any donations will be greatly appreciated and given to Andrew's wife to help pay for funeral costs, and care of his soon to be 3 children.
If you would like to donate with cash or check you can send it to:
Andrew Gooden c/o Community Pool Service
7668 Standish Place, Suite C,
Rockville, MD 20855.
100% of donations will be given to his wife and children.
Andrew leaves behind his wife Denise, 2 children with a baby due to be born in October. Andrew arrived to work in the US from Jamaica in 2014 and returned again in 2015 as a lifeguard and pool manager. He was loved by his friends, coworkers and clients alike.
We are creating this webpage in order to raise money for his Wife and Children back in Jamaica so that they may have the opportunity to live the lives Andrew worked so hard for them to have. Any donations will be greatly appreciated and given to Andrew's wife to help pay for funeral costs, and care of his soon to be 3 children.
If you would like to donate with cash or check you can send it to:
Andrew Gooden c/o Community Pool Service
7668 Standish Place, Suite C,
Rockville, MD 20855.
100% of donations will be given to his wife and children.
Labels: andrew gooden, bike crash, fatality, gofundme
