Bicycle Austin forum

owlman

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Registered: 2011-12-16

Posts: 142

Male 50s cyclist killed in collision at South 1st & Mary St, 3/28/17

Not much info yet.

A bicyclist died after he was hit by a car in South Austin this evening, Austin-Travis County EMS officials said.

The man, who is estimated to have been in his 50s, died at the scene of South First and West Mary streets, EMS officials said. Medics got the 911 call at 7:25 p.m.

The driver stayed at the scene after hitting the cyclist, police said.

MichaelBluejay

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From: Austin, TX

Registered: 2008-05-26

Posts: 1,466

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Re: Male 50s cyclist killed in collision at South 1st & Mary St, 3/28/17

Thanks for posting, Owlman.

It's always chilling when the death happens at a location I've biked before.

7:25 -- that's not even dark yet.

owlman

Member

Registered: 2011-12-16

Posts: 142

Re: Male 50s cyclist killed in collision at South 1st & Mary St, 3/28/17

Wow, the second cyclist fatality this month where the driver was arrested for DWI and police statements put the cyclist at fault.

I mean, it's certainly possible the cyclist's action was the cause of the crash, or that he was even was intoxicated himself, but if the driver was intoxicated I have to wonder about his reaction time and if the crash could have been avoided...

The bicyclist killed Tuesday night on South First Street failed to yield the right of way, Austin police said.

According to the findings of the investigation, Frank Machacek, 47, was hit while attempting to cross east to west in the 1800 block of South First around 7:25 p.m. Police said he crossed the northbound lanes and continued in front of the person who ended up hitting him.

That driver, who was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated, stopped and remained on scene after the crash. The driver has not yet been identified by police.

http://kxan.com/2017/03/31/apd-bicyclis … ht-of-way/

RedFalcon

Member

Registered: 2013-10-10

Posts: 233

Re: Male 50s cyclist killed in collision at South 1st & Mary St, 3/28/17

It's always chilling when the death happens at a location I've biked before.

7:25 -- that's not even dark yet.

Yeah a pedestrian died on Burnet the other day.  He was crossing at a spot I must have run across 1000 times over the last 11 years.  It is a crappy road with no shoulders or sidewalks and lot's of high speed traffic.  There is a light nearby. It doesn't turn very often, and when it does it doesn't give much time to get across.

7:25 pm is at that crappy time when the sun is low and drivers get blinded as they pass from shadow to light.  I am fortunate in that I have been able to adjust my work schedule so I never have to commute at that time, am or pm.  Not everyone has that luxury, but if it can be avoided, avoid it.

owlman

Member

Registered: 2011-12-16

Posts: 142

Re: Male 50s cyclist killed in collision at South 1st & Mary St, 3/28/17

Driver Carolina Posada is charged with misdemeanor DWI, but there's no case activity recorded after May:  05/18/2017    CAL:FIRST APPEAR; SECOND SET

Civil search says she filed for an (occupational license) in July. Not sure if that was granted or not--it just says "Disposed".

using the county clerk's site for searching: http://traviscountyclerk.org/eclerk/

MichaelBluejay

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From: Austin, TX

Registered: 2008-05-26

Posts: 1,466

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Re: Male 50s cyclist killed in collision at South 1st & Mary St, 3/28/17

I very much appreciate the various updates, owlman.  I never get around to looking them up.

And they just depress me anyway, when the penalties are minimal to non-existent, and bad drivers can just keep on driving.

owlman

Member

Registered: 2011-12-16

Posts: 142

Re: Male 50s cyclist killed in collision at South 1st & Mary St, 3/28/17

Driver got probation on 11/30/18. (i don't know if there is a free way to find out how long the probation is)  C-1-CR-17-204817

MichaelBluejay

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From: Austin, TX

Registered: 2008-05-26

Posts: 1,466

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Re: Male 50s cyclist killed in collision at South 1st & Mary St, 3/28/17

So, another slap on the wrist.  Bicyclists' lives don't matter.

Thanks as usual for looking these up, owlman.