Hello Danielle and the Davis family,
I’m so sorry for your loss of Lauren. Thank you for sharing your story. Reach out to the support groups in your area. This is a pattern, and others have had to fight the same pattern.
I have several first hand stories like yours. My family has been spared but people I know have been killed and their families are heartbroken and recovering.
I have had cops refuse to take my first hand witness testimony at crashes. It’s clear that far too often police empathize more with drivers than the cyclists and pedestrians they mow down. I’ve seen it over and over again. It should not happen once. It’s a growing trend.
Here in Portland Oregon a driver jumped onto a sidewalk and killed one pedestrian ( Ben Carlson) and severely injured another. Police did not issue any ticket. The driver ( Douglas James Walker ) never got a ticket. Never. The driver was allowed to leave the scene with no medical tests or cell evidence collected. We will never know what was in the blood of the driver. We can’t know the data on their phone.
In Santa Clara California a police officer mowed down several cyclists, and the police media staff showed up and instantly fed distractions to the press. The story was spun as cyclists riding two abreast in the first breaking news. The cop was never taken for any medical tests. The breaking news said: “The group collided with the deputy’s car” (San Jose Mercury News) I had to call the Mercury to get that removed. Days later the story changed when witnesses were allowed to get their story in the news. The police changed their story to say the police officer fell asleep. Some people said the driver was at a party the night before his morning shift. We will never know what was in the blood of the killer the day the innocent victims were mowed down. The victims were betrayed by the driver and betrayed by the media and police PR staff. Was the cop texting when he mowed down the cyclists?
A drunk driver and repeat offender mowed down Dustin Finney. The response of the police and reporters? Police and media frequently injected their bias about helmets. Helmets are not required by Oregon law. Dustin’s mom is Kristy Finney. She’s formed a support group for friends and family of road violence.
I quote Kristi’s reader comment in response to the biased reporters:
“ But the fact is, a helmet would not have saved him here. My review of the crime scene indicates that from where he was struck to when he first hit the ground was about 85 feet, then he appears to have bounced another 40 feet, and slid a final 50 feet before coming to rest where the street meets the sidewalk. 170+ feet from impact to final resting place. Someone in full body armor would not survive that…or if they did, would not have wanted to. I would still advocate that every cyclist wear a helmet, but this was a clear case where Dustin did ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WRONG”
http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2011/08/man_with_juvenile_record_in_cu.html
https://www.facebook.com/ORSafeStreets
Dan Haegby was killed by a bus driver in NYC ( June 2017) The cops published the driver’s false story that the Dan swerved his bike. Witnesses in the bus front seat attempted to tell cops the bus driver was guilty. The cops and media said the dead cyclist was at fault. The family and friends of the innocent victim had to do their own detective work and found video that proves the police story wrong.
http://gothamist.com/2017/06/15/citi_bike_video_hanegby.php
I’m so sorry for your loss of Lauren. Her future was stolen from her, you and countless friends and family. You and your family are not alone. Thank you for reaching out and please know that people care and want to know your story.
Sincerely, Joe
