Bicycle Crash

Kipp Crawford’s death, which sent shock waves through Portland, Oregon’s biking community in November, has been ruled a homicide, and the Portland Police Bureau, in cooperation with Crime Stoppers, announced February 18, 2010, that they are offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the case, according to reports from BikePortland.org.
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Date: November 4, 2009
Location: North Willamette Blvd. & North Haven Ave., Portland, Oregon
Names: Kipp Crawford, Carlos Tyrone McCall, Felisa Washington-Berry

So many questions remain surrounding the death of Kipp Crawford, 31, a Portland, Oregon, musician who died November 4, 2009, after he was found in the road next to his bike. According to BikePortland.org, Crawford was hit by two cars, both of whose drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of intoxicants. Accounts vary as to whether Crawford was already lying in the road when he was hit.

It was around 2:30 AM when he was run over by a Cadillac driven by Carlos Tyrone McCall, 41, then struck by a second car, an Isuzu SUV driven by Felisa Washington-Berry near the intersection of North Willamette Boulevard and North Haven Avenue, close to the University of Portland.

Portland police have accused the drivers with drunken driving in connection with the tragic crash. Washington-Berry was also booked for reckless driving.

Crawford was rushed to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center, but, sadly, he died at the hospital. The cause of death was multiple blunt force trauma, according to the Multnomah County Medical Examiner.

Crawford was a drummer who played in several local bands, including Celilo, Thanks Kipp, and Fractal Quintet. The Ashland High School graduate loved bicycling, according to his mother, Jean Crawford, of Ashland, who told the Mail Tribune that it was not unusual for her son to be out pedaling at 2 AM. “He could have been coming from a gig or a recording session. Music was pretty much central to his entire life,” she added.

According to the Portland Mercury, there have been three other fatal bike crashes in Portland in 2009.

The circumstances surrounding the crash remained unclear as of November 4. A KATU news video posted on BikePortland.org reports that a witness heard an altercation, and some say Crawford may have been pushed. The Portland Police Bureau major crash team’s investigation included “hours” of interviews with the two drivers, according to The Portland Tribune.

Comments on the news stories have already begun to show the rift between drivers and bikers, but, as others point out, there is not enough information to know who is to blame. But facts or not, a person was killed, and we need to take moment to remember this man’s life. He obviously had a love of both music and cycling. Maybe as more information comes in, we’ll learn that he had a chance to do both right before he died. Our hearts go out to Crawford’s family and friends, and our thoughts are with you as time goes on.

This accident, unfortunately, highlights so many aspects of safe commuting. First, we don’t know if Crawford was wearing a helmet. Second, and most important and disgusting, there is the obvious infraction by the drivers who chose to get in their cars after drinking. Third, there is the question of whether there was an altercation or another person involved. We ask that anyone who knows anything to please come forward. For the sake of his family, who need answers.

After some of the questions are answered, we might also be able to move ahead and see if there are ways to make that stretch of road safer. Or we can educate everyone, drivers and cyclists, about the dangers of driving drunk. Our greatest hope is that Crawford’s death will not be in vain.

By presidential proclamation, December is National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month (3D Month).

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Date: May 26, 2009
Location: Steel Bridge and NE Lloyd Boulevard, Portland, OR
Type:  Bike Accident
Outcome: 1 Minor Injury
Names: Unknown

A Portland woman was injured last week in a hit-and-run bike-on-bike collision. According to BTA Board Member Mary Roberts, the woman was riding her bicycle eastward up to the bike/ped trail junction at NE Lloyd Blvd when a southbound cyclist rounded the corner wide and collided with her. The woman then fell from her bike and was unable to get up; the other cyclist, seemingly unharmed, biked away from the scene without stopping.

The collision left the woman with a broken bone in her leg that required hospitalization and surgery. At this point, it may be months before she is able to ride her bicycle again.

We wish the very best for the injured biker and pray that she makes a full and speedy recovery.  To be biking one day and in a hospital bed the next must be a truly traumatic experience.  Our hearts go out to her and her family.

As fellow members of the Portland biking community, we at Shulman DuBois are deeply disturbed by the apparent lack of human empathy on the part of the second bicyclist.  We believe that Portland should be a safe place to ride your bike — and that includes looking out for one another.

This kind of collision also raises questions about the overall safety of Portland roadways for bikes and bikers. According to Roberts, the intersection where the collision took place is “treacherous” and “poorly designed for the level of use it gets.” In this case, the injured victim may want to consider consulting a personal injury attorney with experience in bicycle accidents about her options in this case — and to do so soon.

While the normal time limit for filing an Oregon injury lawsuit is 2 years, if the victim decides to sue the City of Portland or Multnomah County for creating what appears to be a dangerous bike intersection, she has to file a tort claim notice within 180 days of the incident.  This time limit is strict.  Failure to meet it would mean she loses all rights to hold the City or County responsible for creating a dangerous situation.

Date: April 28, 2009
Locatiion: Hawthorne Bridge
Type: Bicycle Collision
Names: Erica Rothman

There’s been lots of talk about the bike vs bike collision on the Hawthorne Bridge last Wednesday, May 6.  The man who appears to have caused the collision has not yet been named for some reason.  He claims he is an active member of the biking community, and therefore wants to remain anonymous.  Good for him, and that’s fine, but here’s what steams me up:

The victim of this bike vs bike accident, Erica Rothman, is pretty beat up, as you can see.  The Bicycle Transportation Alliance is collecting funds to help pay for her medical bills, which is nice of them, or course.  But here’s the thing:  the guy who caused this ought to be paying.  Ms. Rothman says in her account that “I don’t want to take this guy to court with the intent to take him to the cleaners or anything.”  Well, she should be made aware that she doesn’t have that option.  What she does have is the option to get him to pay her medical bills, and, if she chooses, a fair and just amount of money for the trouble she’s gone through.   If he has homeowner’s insurance, they will pay.

This office has successfully collected homeonwers insurance from a careless bicycle rider who collided with another bicycle rider.  Erica Rothman should not have to shoulder the burden of her injuries, her medical bills, her damaged mode of transportation, and the potential financial disaster this all could cause.  The guy who hit her should.

Date: April 28, 2009
Locatiion: Hawthorne Bridge
Type: Bicycle Collision
Names: Erica Rothman

Bicycle commuters represent 20% of all vehicular traffic during summer months, across Portland’s Hawthorne Bridge.  This according to the Bicycle Traffic Alliance.  Generally speaking automobiles are the greatest risk to bicyclists.  However at about 5:15 on April 29th, a fellow bicyclist was the cause of a potentially fatal accident.  The bicyclist, crossing eastbound on the Hawthorne Bridge, accidentally bumped Erica Rothman traveling curbside, also riding eastbound.  The rider who made contact unnecessarily squeezed between the victim and a rail-side bicyclist.  Upon being nudged, the woman lost control and crashed down onto the steel grid.  An automobile driver approaching in the adjacent lane stopped just short of the ailing woman.  The details of the accident were reported by an eye witness, also riding across the bridge.

The victim received aid from witnesses, including the rider who accidentally caused the crash.  According to the same eye witness, the woman suffered various injuries.  A call was placed to 911.  She received 17 stitches over various places on her face, received two elbow stables, and suffered lots of scrapes, bruises and swelling.  This according to the victim herself.

We at Shulman DuBois LLC hope the injured woman makes a full and speedy recovery.  In this incident she is fortunate to ride another day.

Portland Mayor Sam Adams was quoted as saying:  “Given the congestion of the Hawthorne Bridge, we want to stress the importance of cyclists slowing down and all users being considerate and courteous.”   Automobiles, bicyclists and pedestrians share the Hawthorne Bridge.  The controversy concerning Hawthorne Bridge congestion is widely publicized as a result of this occurrence.

Shulman DuBois LLC represents victims with injuries resulting from accidents. Our clients deserve representation with our experience, sensitivity and tenacity. Should an unfortunate episode find you or someone you know in need of representation as a result of an accident related injury, the best thing you can do for yourself is to get educated by reading our Frequently Asked Questions, exploring our Library, or ordering your free copy of 7 Common Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Oregon Accident Case.