Published Thursday, December 28, 2006 in East Valley Opinions of the Arizona Republic as “Deadly drivers shouldn’t escape substantial penalties.” (similar versions may be forthcoming in other newspapers)
Looking back on the year, I’m troubled by a list of tragic injuries and deaths from deadly drivers who weren’t held accountable.
A little over a year ago, Scottsdale cyclist John Carney was struck from behind by a Ford Explorer. Carney died. The teenage driver received an $1,800 fine and six points against his driver’s license.
In June, after exiting from the 101 in Scottsdale, Chris and Leah Walls and their young children Miller and Mallory died when their minivan, stopped at a red light, was slammed into by Haluk Kandas, 29, going 50 miles per hour. Kandas who had been in four accidents in the last four years claimed to not have seen their vehicle. No criminal charges have been filed.
In September, playwright Terry Earp while cycling with two others was nearly killed when Jason Foree, 28, ran a red light. She was recently removed from a ventilator, but remains paralyzed. Foree was cited for a traffic violation.
Last month, George and Jane Esahak-Gage were cycling on Chandler Blvd. when José Juarez sped through a red light when exiting I-10, hitting both. George, a triathlete, now struggles with two neck fractures, four broken ribs, five pelvic fractures, broken bones in his back and shoulders and a punctured lung. Juarez, 23, was cited for failing to control speed, driving without insurance and driving without a license. Read the rest of this entry »