Cyclist Outraged Driver Won’t Face Charges in Fatal Crash

Cyclist Outraged Driver Won’t Face Charges in Fatal Crash

Bicyclists are among of the most vulnerable groups of people on our roadways. Like pedestrians, they have little protection against passenger vehicles and often suffer very serious injuries during minor car accidents. 

Unlike pedestrians, cyclists spend a majority of their time in the road, making them even more vulnerable to reckless drivers. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 49,000 of cyclists are hurt during car accidents every year; of those, more than 700 die. 

This year, Milton Everett Olin Jr. was one of those that lost their lives in bike accidents. Olin was a prominent entertainment lawyer who was best known as an executive with Napster. The 65-year-old was riding in the bike lane when the accident occurred, and he died at the scene. The public was outraged to hear a police officer was the one who struck and killed Olin. 

An Investigation Revealed the Officer Was Using His Phone at the Time

New York Daily News reports the officer was texting and lost control of his patrol car. In fact, his phone records show he sent a total of six messages just before the crash. 

He swerved into the bike lane and rear-ended Olin. Witnesses told investigators the officer didn’t even brake. The local community’s concern quickly turned to anger recently when a county attorney decided not to file charges against the officer. 

He said he wouldn’t prosecute because the text messages were work related. The biking community is protesting the decision by riding along the highway. Meanwhile, Olin’s family decided to seek justice on their own and filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against the officer. 

At Eells & Tronvold Law Offices, PLC in Cedar Rapids, we believe there is no excuse for distracted driving, and we’re proud to help the victims of reckless drivers file personal-injury lawsuits. You can rely on our experience and knowledge throughout your case, and we’ll fight to secure the maximum compensation possible. To arrange a consultation with a personal-injury lawyer, please call 319-393-1020. 

Another Family Is Planning to File Suit Against the City

In June, a teen driver lost control of his vehicle after striking a dip in the road and colliding with a power pole. Both the driver, Hayden Soyk, and his girlfriend, Maddi Higgins, died in the wreck. The Oregonian reports Soyk’s family plans to sue the city because they believe poor road design led to the crash. They cite the fact that at least 45 accidents have occurred on that road in the past four years, many of which were single-vehicle crashes. 

If you are planning a wrongful-death lawsuit, you can rely on us to give you excellent legal advice and to aggressively negotiate with insurance companies. Whether you’re suing a city or a reckless driver, we are here to help. To arrange a consultation with a personal-injury lawyer, please call 319-393-1020.