Driver accused of running down bicyclists

A tandem bike is a single bike with seats for two riders, NOT two bikes and one rider as "BeetsFlavin" said. The driver of the truck is charged with criminally negligent homicide, and while I agree with "tx2654" that all of us have taken our eyes off the road for a second or two that does not equate to criminal negligence in and of itself and if that is all they have then a "not guilty" verdict is reasonable to expect. This case, however, resulted from a Grand Jury indictment in which a majority of citizens of that Grand Jury believed sufficient evidence existed to warrant a trial, and I suggest we allow the process and evidence to go forward. The first witness appeared to testify the driver was speeding in addition to taking his eyes off the road. I am familiar with the area, and with the curves and hills speeding is not wise, but I have seen many other drivers become frustrated and pass other vehicles in "no passing" zones. This driver was heading into town, so he was driving into the morning sun while speeding, another unwise thing to choose to do. Helotes has also grown up a lot so traffic is rather congested out there, so speeding into the morning sun is something a driver chooses to do and in so choosing that driver accepts all the risks of the consequences of his choices. I believe the driver was familiar with the road and knew that bicyclists often can be found riding out into the hill country so he should have been aware of that as well. Accidents don't just happen, they are the consequence of a series of poor choices and in this case it might be a long enough series of poor decisions by the driver that change his actions from civil negligence to criminal negligence . . . let him be judged by a jury of his peers as is his right under the constitution.

Riding on a tandem bicycle is a recipe for an accident. I know for a fact that pot smokers have some strange sort of game where they look for these people and try to run them down with Hummers. Because they think that these people are wearing nylon shorts and generally not enough clothes and believe it to be a sin against the church, so they do it on purpose so they will die of broken bones and intestines that spill out from the cuts from the hubcaps that spin off. I have heard, but do not believe for one second, that Mexicans sharpen their hubcaps for this very reason. So, it must be the pot smokers, because Mexicans would never bother. The administrators of the city must condemn and address the pot smokers, because they are trying to kill people that are so retarded that they ride two bicycles at the same time.

Again, driving down the road and drifting into the shoulder is not criminal negligence, in of itself. The driver was not texting, was not drunk, was not driving with his knees, no. He did what most people do. He looked at sign. This is not negligent behavior, because it's common and within the normal scope of driving. Every one of you do who have already convicted this driver of murder, do the same thing every day while driving. This case should not have been brought before a jury in the first place, but the jury can not come up with any verdict but not-guilty unless there is evidence not being made public. Sorry bicyclists, you are another vehicle on the road and you will loose in a collision, just like a motorcyclist will. Again, the charge is 'criminal negligence '. Not " INVOLUNTARY " like some other uneducated poster stated in another thread. I hope the family can help the children deal with their loss, however emotional reasoning for criminal charges should never be allowed in our court system to prevent a jury from, IN ERROR, convicting this guy of any criminal homicide charges.

So, Golfnut, just what did this couple do while riding their tandem bike that broke the law? The simple act of riding a bike isn't criminal, and there is no evidence that they did anything illegal. Cars need to stay off the road, for I've seen too many drivers breaking the law . . . isn't that the standard you've just set?

Golfnut, golf carts need to stay off the golf courses. I see many of these people breaking the law. I am not too smart, but I would never ride on a golf course with an electric cart. My family plays it safe and walks from one hole to the next.

Isn't criminally negligent homicide (19.05, Texas Penal Code) a State Jail felony, punishable by 6 months to 2 years in State Jail and a fine not to exceed $10,000.00? How do you get 10 years in prison out of that punishment range?

bikes need to stay off the road. i see many of these people breaking the law. i am to darn smart, i would never ride on the street with a bike, my family uses the bike trails.

They BETTER make an example out of this SOB. Now their daughter has to grow up without her mom & her dad!!! Take a second and put your kid in that same situation how would you want that case handled.