Charges Won't be Filed Against Driver That Struck and Killed a Northville Cyclist
Northville Township police say that the county prosecutor will not pursue charges in the September accident.
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Northville Township's police department announced Tuesday afternoon that criminal charges will not be filed against the driver who struck and killed a bicyclist in September.
The cyclist, Jerry Ashby of Northville, was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident on Seven Mile Road, just east of Silver Springs Drive.
According to a press release, the Wayne County Prosecutor will not seek charges against the 18-year-old Northville driver.
In September, police said the driver told them that he did not see the cyclist. It was raining, affecting visibility, police chief John Werth told Northville Patch.
In late July, another man was killed on Seven Mile Road near Fry Road. It was also raining heavily during that accident, reducing visibility.
Come back to Northville Patch for updates.
EBC
6:38 pm on Tuesday, October 25, 2011
That's the right decision. It was truly an accident.
Jamie
4:04 pm on Thursday, October 27, 2011
I agree with the decision. One life tragically lost in this accident is enough. My prayer is that this young man will use this tragedy to help others.
Thomas McNabb
8:20 pm on Friday, October 28, 2011
It is unfortunate, but when you drive a car and you can't see, that is a crime not an accident. That is causing an injury (death) by disregarding the safety of others.
If you can't manage to avoid running into others on the road, slow down or pull off.
Gabriel
4:41 pm on Sunday, October 30, 2011
I tend to disagree. A crime has intent. The driver certainly did not intend to hit the cyclist on the dark road in the rain. There are many factors that could have contributed to this accident, some out of the driver's control. Were there lights on the bicycle? How far into the road was the cyclist riding? Was it at the crest of a hill? How dark was the cyclist's clothing? This is not to say the driver was completely innocent (was he eating & driving, texting, etc.), but to call him a criminal is a stretch.
M. Ashby
6:03 pm on Saturday, October 29, 2011
well said but not over
Gabriel
5:28 pm on Sunday, October 30, 2011
This was a tragic accident. There needs to be more light on that road. It's difficult to see driveways, animals, etc. at night even in good weather, not to mention when it's pouring down rain.
M. Ashby
8:29 pm on Sunday, October 30, 2011
Mr McNabb well said you should read original report
Bart Heldke
3:30 pm on Monday, November 21, 2011
Involuntary manslaughter is an unintended accident too. Let's say you discharge a gun in the air and the bullet picks off someone. Did you intend to do it? No, but you were negligent. If you get behind 3000 to 6000 lbs, you have the duty to be control as much as humanly possible of that vehicle, since a vehicle beats a bicycle every time. Face it, if the driver of the car was only 10% at fault, it still means the cyclist dies. Vehicles win the war of physics every time. Cyclists have to be infinitely more careful, especially in this day and age of fast food, navigation systems, texting, etc. In order to protect those not driving a car, it's the duty of all elected officials in every municipality to ensure their non-motorized transportation plan makes sense and that non-motorized paths are actually usable. As a biker, I've been hit by a car. I was lucky, and I only suffered a sprained ankle. I avoid cars, and I'll take a path every time, but having a path end abruptly with no where to go is certainly a common occurrence that needs to be addressed.
As far as this case: 18 year olds have what two years experience? Maybe this 18 year old never drove in rain before?!? Did the prosecutor check his phone bill? I don't want to blame the driver as long as due diligence was done but whenever I hear about some suburban teen I think "TEXTING". Seriously, I bike these roads. I see the heads down at intersections. and something has to be done about it.
Gabriel
12:32 am on Thursday, December 1, 2011
The point can be raised as to whether or not the driver was 10% negligent. How about 14.6%? Does driving really carry the same amount of negligence as firing a gun into the air? Well said about cyclists needing to be infinitely more careful. Since moving here, I have seen several (nearly all) bicyclists riding without helmets, wearing dark clothing, having little to no reflectors, and completely light-less at night. Does that constitute negligence? What percent? In all honesty, should the driver be charged with the crime simply because he lived through the accident? (Obviously if it's determined that driver-texting is involved, that raises another issue). However, to say that the driver is criminally responsible just because a car is heavier than a bike seems like vengeance rather than justice.
M. Ashby
7:28 pm on Sunday, November 27, 2011
well said and still watching
M. Ashby
8:22 pm on Thursday, January 19, 2012
checking in again and still no more posts
M. Ashby
8:26 pm on Monday, February 27, 2012
STILL CHECKING IN JUST WENT TO MY BROTHERS GRAVE ITS TOUGH.
M. Ashby
4:54 pm on Saturday, March 17, 2012
went to my brothers site on seven mile where he was hit and killed put up a new cross
god i miss him r.i.p jerr bear.
M. Ashby
9:53 pm on Monday, March 26, 2012
Thinking of my brother and i always come back here to let you know he is not forgotten R.I.P. BIG BROTHER LITTLE BROTHER WILL NOT FORGET!!!!!!!!!
YOU WERE TAKEN AWAY TO SOON.
M. Ashby
9:37 pm on Friday, April 20, 2012
Remembering all the good times we had big brother little brother still missing you i still wait for you to call R.I.P. YOUR LITTLE BROTHER
M. Ashby
9:00 pm on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
EIGHT MONTHS AND COUNTING GOD IT FEELS LIKE IT HAS BEEN YEARS R.I.P. JERR BEAR LITTLE BROTHER.