injured cyclist

This news is fucking crazy:

Two teenagers have been charged with attempted capital murder after police say they robbed and shot a man near Manchaca Road in South Austin last week.

James Ray Perkins III and Paul Rios, both 17, also are facing several other felony charges in connection to the shooting and another robbery in the same area, according to an arrest affidavit.

According to an arrest affidavit:

A man was riding a bicycle about 11 p.m. Sunday on Manchaca Road just north of Slaughter Lane when a man approached and asked to use his cell phone. The victim obliged, but then noticed that the man was not dialing and that two more men were approaching, the affidavit said. When he tried to leave, the victim was pushed down an embankment and began fighting with the man who had approached him, the affidavit said.

Before he could make it up the embankment, the victim was confronted by the other two men, one of whom was carrying a silver semiautomatic pistol. The men then ordered the victim back down the embankment and made him surrender his wallet.

One of the men took the victim’s ATM card to a nearby Texaco, took money out of the account but was upset that there wasn’t more available. The three men then decided that the victim should be executed. During this discussion, the victim ran toward a drainage tunnel but was shot in the butt.

The victim was taken to University Medical Center Brackenridge, officials said.

Detectives noticed similarities between Sunday’s incident and one that occurred Thursday afternoon in which a teenager on a bicycle was robbed at gunpoint, the affidavit said. According to court records, a teenager was riding his bike on Roxanna Drive near Slaughter Lane about 3:30 p.m. when four men called him over. The teenager recognized Perkins, who he said went to high school with him, and a man he knows as “Southside Paul.”

While they were talking Perkins robbed the teen of his cell phone, fired a shot into the air and punched him in the face, the document said.

The teen later was able to identify Perkins in a photo lineup, the document said.

Detectives then showed the victim in Sunday’s robbery a photo lineup, and the victim picked out Perkins as the man who shot him, the affidavit said.

Perkins was arrested Monday and admitted a role in the robbery but said that Rios had fired the shot, the affidavit said. Perkins allowed detectives to record two phone calls with Rios, in which Rios appeared to admit to firing the shots, the documents said.

The victim later picked Rios out of a photo lineup as one of the men who robbed him.

Rios and Perkins have been charged with aggravated robbery, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon, attempted capital murder and engaging in organized criminal activity, the affidavits said. Perkins is in the Travis County Jail on $165,000 bail. Rios is not shown jailed at this time.

Damn. I'm glad "Southside Paul" and his buddy are behind bars where they belong. Freaking nuts.

Daniel Norton forwarded this bit of good news over to me from one of the other lists:

Stanton Truxillo awoke from his induced coma!

His wife Susie said said she could really feel all the love and support from everyone. According to Susie, his brain seems normal but he can't talk yet for all the equipment in his mouth. (via William Hudson & Rick Byrne)

Updates will be at http://groups.google.com/group/velocitycycling

Thanks for keeping us all informed! This is great news and I'm praying that Stanton continues his speedy recovery.

Many of you know Stanton Truxillo, former president of the Austin Cycling Association and long-time bicycle rider, advocate and educator. He was on a group ride yesterday morning when he suffered a heart attack and collapsed. Here's the message that was sent out over the ACA mailing list and various other spots on the internets, detailing the incident:

Our dear friend Stanton Truxillo was on a group bike ride this morning when he collapsed from a massive heart attack. A motorist stopped and performed CPR until the paramedics arrived. They were wonderful and eventually did get his heart going again and he is now in the St. David's South Austin hospital. He had 100% blockage of one of the arteries to his heart and they have made a temporary opening to be able to pump blood to his heart. The plan is to take his body to a very low temperature and keep him in an induced coma for 24 - 48 hours. After that they will do a neurological assessment and then decide on a plan to bypass the blockage. Susie and their son Matthew are at the hospital. Katherine (daughter) arrives tomorrow. Please note that we will have no further updates until Stan's induced coma phase is over. Susie also specifically asked that we do a Facebook entry to help her get the word out to all their friends.

If you know Stanton or just know of him, please send good thoughts, prayers, and your support his and his family's way. Stanton has done more for our community than most of us could even imagine, and I know we're all hoping he pulls through. I'll be sure to post updates as I hear more.

I've been hearing a bit about some crazy shit that went down last Sunday night/Monday morning on the Full Moon cruise, but here's the best account I've seen of it so far:

Not sure whether you've heard about what happened two nights ago or not, but as we were riding north on Shoal Creek, approaching Hancock, around 2 AM, some dude ran out into the street and went after a cyclist who swerved to avoid him, and then my friend's roommate tried to go right around the nut job as he stood in the middle of the street when he charged her and shoved her off her bike. He then ran up to her and started yelling at her and bitching about cyclists and how they were loud or some noise, at which point she screamed for someone to call 911. There was a decent response from the police, and they documented her injuries, but I doubt anything will actually come from the incident, as usual. Luckily, her and her bike were well enough to ride home. But, at the very least, this assclown needs to go on the wall of shame. In his brilliance, he allowed all of us to know exactly where he lives at 5009 Shoal Creek. Also, the car parked in his driveway was a blue Honda Civic, Texas plates # 89B-XSN. There was also a sliver/tan? Accord in front of the house with Texas plates # NJM-765. Everyone needs to beware of these cars, and maybe have pepper spray in hand when passing his house since Shoal Creek is such a major bike thruway.

What the fuck?!? A guy assaults a cyclist in the road and the police let him walk? Guess it's par for course, as from the sound of things a POLICE OFFICER actually put a cyclist in the hospital last Thursday by assaulting him as he left the Social ride:

After the social thursday my buddy got jumped by the cops on his bike and they tazed him and beat the crap out of him for running a light downtown. We need to get a lawyer for him and see if any cameras on congress caught this shit. They busted him up good and he had to get rads at Brac. Typical cowardly bullshit.

This shit is fucking ridiculous. I guess the moral of the story is run a red light in a car and get a ticket. Run a red light on a bike and get the shit beat out of you by a gang of police officers. When I say gang I mean it, as any group of individuals willing to assault and beat someone like that is no better than a pack of crooks, no matter what snappy paramilitary uniforms and weapons they choose to equip themselves with. Anybody have any more dirt on this?

This report of a female cyclist who was injured as a Honda CRV struck the cyclist as the driver was making a left-hand turn:

Bicyclist injured in collision with vehicle

By Claudia Grisales | Tuesday, July 13, 2010, 09:50 AM

A female bicyclist was injured in a collision with a vehicle Tuesday morning near the intersection of Riverside Drive and Congress Avenue, according to a witness at the scene.

Shortly before 9 a.m, the bicyclist, who was traveling north on Congress Avenue in the far right lane, was struck by a Honda CRV that was traveling from the opposite direction and turning into a business complex at 611 S. Congress Ave.

The driver of the Honda CRV said the bicyclist was being taken to University Medical Center Brackenridge.

Austin Police said the bicyclist suffered minor injuries. The bicyclist was not wearing a helmet.

While they made sure to mention that the cyclist wasn't wearing a helmet (a perfectly legal thing to do), they failed to state if the driver and causer of the collision was cited or ticketed with anything. At the MINIMUM striking a cyclist with your vehicle breaks the 3-foot passing law, doesn't it? What's the word APD? Is selective enforcement ok when only one of the parties has an engine?

I'm glad to hear that only "minor" injuries were suffered but still, the lack of justice and obvious anti-cyclist prejudice on the part of APD is some fucking bullshit.

A week from today (on May 19th) there's going to be another Ride of Silence, which is an event to memorialize and remember cyclists who have been injured or killed while doing what they love. If you or a loved one have been touched in such a way, this is an event specifically for you:

Dedications and announcements: 6:30pm
Time: Wheels roll at 7pm

On the evening of Wednesday, May 19th, 2010, cyclists all over the world will ride in honor and in memory of fellow cyclists that have been injured or killed while cycling on public roadways. In Austin TX, we will start an eight-mile ride originating and ending on the Pfluger Bridge. This ride will last approximately one hour. You are riding with the rest of the world in this 8th annual memorial ride. (Information about Rides of Silence in other cities is available at www.rideofsilence.org)

If you choose to participate in the ride, please follow the following guidelines:

* Treat the pre-ride gathering and the ride with respect to what the intention of the ride is for - to honor/grieve/remember fallen cyclists.
* Put safety first - wear a helmet.
* Maintain silence during the ride, using only hand signals to relay ride support or caution.
* Ride no faster than 12 mph.
* Comply with local, state and federal laws of the public roadways keeping the following in mind:
o Obey all stop signs and traffic signals.
o Ride as far to the right of the lane as practicable.
o Ride a bike that has working brakes and the required lights and reflectors.
o Ride no more than two abreast or if that impedes traffic, ride single-file.

At the ride, during the dedication period, if there is a rider that you wish to be named or that you are riding in honor of, send the dedication to emilyglick18@gmail.com, or you may choose to speak for yourself. If you wish to speak, please arrive prior to 6:30pm and locate the organizers. Some riders will wear black armbands in memory of riders killed or a red armband for a cyclist that has been injured sharing the road, or pin pictures to their jerseys. All of these gestures promote awareness, and an opportunity for silent reflection.

NOTE: THIS IS NOT AN ORGANIZED, PROMOTED, MANAGED OR CONDUCTED EVENT. IF YOU CHOOSE TO RIDE, YOU DO SO AT YOUR OWN RISK AND YOU MUST PROVIDE YOUR OWN SUPPORT.

Remember folks, this is a respectful memorial ride. I know that oftentimes drinking goes hand in hand with remembrance, but please consider the nature of the event. The crew meets on the Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge at 6:30pm for the dedications, and rolls out at 7pm for the ride of silence itself. Here's the route they'll follow, and I suggest you check it out as I don't think anyone will be shouting ques.

Guess I won't be bringing the stereo to this one, even though I wholeheartedly believe that the dead still like to dance. ;)

I just got home and cracked open the mobile computer machine to see a message from a VERY special someone, Mariel Mentink! If you've been following her CaringBridge journal, you've seen she's made some HUGE steps in her recovery from the brutal hit-and-run collision she was injured in nearly 5 months ago, but this is the first I've heard from her directly:

to whom it may concern,
thank you so much for the coverage. i love your site so much and i love austin still, even after all this garbage. my last memory of austin is the bicycle film festival, i think. but i also remember all the rides i participated in and biking home on the east side. take care.
sincerely,
mariel mentink

AWESOME!!! Seriously, I'd rather get this letter than a note from ANY celebrity, politician, religious figure or any other douchebag who's name is in the news a lot. Mariel, you're a celebrity to me. Keep up the recovery and definitely check in every now and then to let us Austinites know how you're doing. Lots of people here have had you in their thoughts and prayers, and it's great to see that you're doing well.

That's dope. So happy right now.

While my email was on the fritz I received 2 requests for more information, one from a cyclist who was involved in the incident, and another from the police themselves. Here they are:

Care about crazed drivers running down bicycles and pulling guns? Here's a chance to make a difference. If you witnessed anything in the Critical Mass incident involving Timothy Swift, the Austin Police Department wants to hear from you. You can reach Detective King at (512)974-6293 . I went in and gave testimony, and Detective King needs more if they're going to pursue a case against Tim Swift. If you don't take the < hour to contribute, you lose your right to complain about crazed drivers for the rest of your bicycling life.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 7, 2010

Contact: Public Information Office, 974-5017
North Bureau Detective Unit seeks the Public’s Assistance
Case: 10-0851824
Date: Friday, March 26, 2010
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Location: West 5th Street and Lavaca Street
Narrative:

On Friday, March 26, 2010, Austin Police Officers responded to a disturbance at the intersection of West 5th Street and Lavaca Street. The verbal and physical disturbance was between a male in a dark colored pick up truck and a large group of bicyclists.

The North Bureau detective unit is seeking the public’s assistance in this matter. Detectives are specifically looking for anyone who has first hand knowledge of the disturbance, photos and/or videos.

Anyone with information about this event is asked to contact the North Bureau Detective unit 512-974-5320.

If you were involved in the incident or witnessed the incident and feel that your input would assist the police in bringing resolution to the case, please call the aforementioned phone numbers and give a statement. Like our cyclist friend said it takes less than an hour (~20 minutes last time I gave a statement on something) so please take the time out of your busy schedule and help make sure justice is served.

Check it out folks, last night around 9:30pm Mariel Mentink updated her CaringBridge recovery journal completely unassisted for the first time and here's what she had to say:

hi everyone! its me mariel! i got my braces off two days ago and am doing much better. im still in a wheelchair and my right hand still doesnt work but im at my moms in elgin. i have day therapy and the drive makes me so sick! i have a doctor appointment (brain doctor i think)tomorrow so i wont go to therapy tomorrow. my right side still doesnt work so when im home i go on the computer one handed and look online. im getting good at using one hand only! i got my braces off a few days ago. i hated them cause they would click together! my muscles are weak from not using them and sometimes they hurt a little. thank you to all my visitors and i had fun! thank you for all the cards and gifts.

FUCKING AWESOME! Though she's still got a long way to go this is some great advancement from where she was just a month or so ago. For those of you with an EXTREMELY short-term memory, Mariel Mentink was a victim of a hit-and-run collision on New Years Eve. The driver is still at large and presumably living their normal life while Mariel has to deal with the repercussions of this drivers' actions every minute of every day. If you'd like to leave her a message or show your support you can do so through the CaringBridge website. I know many people out there are pulling for continued recovery, and the hunt for the gray SUV goes on.

You're a badass Mariel.

My views on the entire bullshit clusterfuck teenage angst-driven debacle formerly known as Critical Mass are coming, but in the meantime I did a bit of digging over last Friday's incident and it looks like the gentleman in the black truck was not ticketed for anything, but is being listed as a VICTIM of aggravated assault and criminal mischief. WHAT THE FUCK. Thankfully we live in the information age, so here's what I've gleaned of our gun pulling truck driving condo owning asshole:

Timothy Swift being cuffed by officer Williams (Badge 5987), first responder

Timothy Swift in the patrol car

The offenders information (he lives on east 5th St in a condo):

TIMOTHY SWIFT
3304 E 5TH ST UNIT B (VILLAS AT FIFTH & ALLEN CONDOMINIUMS)
AUSTIN, TX 78702-4910
(512) 386-1876

Timothy Swift's Glock

(Probable) Job info:
817 W Howard Ln
Austin, TX 78753-1052
(512) 251-3441
L-3 Communications, Administrator

Timothy Swift's fancy new east side condo (and the truck from the collisions)

The offending truck:

MOMMY'S TEXAS-SIZED TRUKKK

2003 Chevy c1500
Plate: 20X BY1
VIN: 1GCEC14X93Z349961

The owner of the vehicle:

MADELYN SWIFT
1311 Burgundy Ct
Southlake,TX 76092-7819

I'm sure more info will be forthcoming as the police detectives actually investigate this case. I urge everyone involved to follow up and make sure justice is served, as to date this is the only report to show up in the database that pertains to the incident:

Report Number:
2010-100851824

Report Date/Time
Fri, Mar-26-2010 17:30

Offense Date/Time
Fri, Mar-26-2010 17:30

Offense(s)
AGG ASSAULT
CRIMINAL MISCHIEF

Offense Location
LAVACA ST / W 5TH ST, AUSTIN 78701
Census Tract: 1100 District: 3 Area Command: DOWNTOWN

Investigator Assigned
-

Victim(s)
Name: SWIFT, TIMOTHY Male White
Address: AUSTIN, TX

Case Summary
REPORT WRITTEN

FUCK ALL THAT SHIT. He struck at least 4 cyclists with his truck and then tried to flee the scene. What happened in retaliation is some fucked up shit too, but one does not excuse the other. This guy pulled a gun after striking humans with his vehicle. Now THAT'S what I consider aggravated assault, of which he was the offender, not the victim. PLEASE call the police if you were involved in this incident and make sure your rights are respected. I'm working on putting together a list of all the cops on scene as well, so that we can complain to the office of Police Monitor if this situation is not remedied quickly. Please keep in touch if you find out anything more.