Author Topic: "This really pisses me off" or "How Aces High Saved My Life" (Read 726 times)

gofaster · « **on:** March 30, 2004, 09:34:40 AM »

Back when I did the smaller 5k run/walks through neighborhoods, it wasn't unusual to see drivers trying to maneuver their vehicles through the race course as people streamed by. I used to give the drivers dirty looks. A couple of times I deliberately spanked my hand against a fender when the "crawlers" got too close. I used to joke with my wife that one day I'd roll across a crawler's hood as if I'd been struck at speed.

And what motivates drivers to try and drive a closed street?

Because they think they are so much more important than their fellow citizens; nice people who have come out to have a good time on an early Saturday morning and try to raise some money for a good cause.

This guy couldn't wait 30 minutes for the walkers to clear the course. Or couldn't have left his house 45 minutes earlier to run his errand before the course was closed (the race started at 8am; I know because I had planned on doing it but stayed up too late Friday night playing Aces High).

He hit her so hard he knocked her right out of her shoe.

Put me on this jury, judge!

Quote

Car Kills Walker In Church Fundraiser
By VALERIE KALFRIN vkalfrin@tampatrib.com
Published: Mar 30, 2004

TAMPA - Early Saturday, as she had for more than 20 years, Dalia Gomez, 78, put on her sneakers, ready to stroll.
She and her husband of 55 years, Robert Gomez Sr., often walked together, holding hands, their son said. But Saturday, as the couple raised money for Forest Hills United Methodist Church through a 5-kilometer walk and run, they became separated.

About 8:30 a.m., Dalia Gomez was ahead of her husband as she wound along North Oregon Circle beside the golf course. A 1991 Ford Escort station wagon maneuvered around a police barricade blocking traffic and tried to pass her. The passenger-side mirror struck her, Tampa police said.

Her husband, 77, did not see the crash but happened upon his wife's body.

``He sat beside her as long as he could,'' said son Bob Gomez, 51, of Tampa. ``She never saw what hit her.''

A funeral will be held today at Gonzalez Funeral Home, 7209 N. Dale Mabry Highway.

The family's faith gives them strength, Bob Gomez said.

``She was on her pilgrimage, raising money for her church,'' he said. ``I can't imagine any better honor than that, to die doing God's work.''

Police said the driver of the Escort, Diomedes Rivera, 87, of 2106 South Fore Circle, drove around barricades on nearby streets, including a marked police car.

They charged him with three traffic citations: careless driving involving death, violation of a traffic control device, and improper and unsafe equipment, for bald tires on the car.

Rivera's wife, Amparo Rivera, said he was driving to Most Holy Redeemer Church. He told his wife, ``I don't know [how] I hit her because I was not that close to her.''

Rivera, a father of three adult daughters, broke down crying, his wife said.

``It's been like a storm,'' she added.

Sharon White, 55, who lives with her son at 1709 N. Oregon Circle, was tending lilies in her front yard when she heard a thump and saw Dalia Gomez lying along the road, one of her sneakers knocked off. White called 911 and brought a chair for Gomez's husband to sit with her.

``He kept saying, `I hope it's not her,' '' said Cory Collier, 32, White's son.

Police did not estimate Rivera's speed, but White said he was not traveling fast.

At one point, Collier said, Robert Gomez clasped the driver's hands and prayed with him, saying, ``She's with Jesus now.''

The daughter of Cuban cigarworkers, Dalia Gomez was born in Tampa. She met her husband at a tea dance in Ybor City, her son said. She worked for more than 20 years in the Hillsborough County courthouse at the supervisor of elections office.

``I used to think my mother was the most popular woman downtown,'' Bob Gomez said.

The couple lived at 13906 North Boulevard, next door to their son and two teenage grandchildren. Dalia Gomez liked to participate in bake sales and rummage sales for her church. She earned a plaque last year for walking in the fundraiser.

``They marveled at how fast she walked and how enthusiastic she was,'' Bob Gomez said. ``The toughest thing for me is that she prided herself on her health.''

strk · « **Reply #1 on:** March 30, 2004, 09:45:00 AM »

Same thing with bikers too - motorcyle and regular human powered - I have spent a lot of time on both and I can tell you that many people in cars seem to think that bikes are infringing on their right to rule the road.

Once as a bike courier in DC I followed a guy for 15 blocks after he nearly killed me. WHen I caught him I slammed my fist into his driver side window (didnt break either my hand or the window) in a direct challenge to him to get out and settle it like a man. He took off like a bat out of hell through a red light lol.

Probably was the best move for him as I was seriously pissed ad probably would have thrashed him soundly right there in the street

Sandman · « **Reply #2 on:** March 30, 2004, 09:49:56 AM »

Great... another person killed by an overaged driver. 87!

The laws need to be changed.

LePaul · « **Reply #3 on:** March 30, 2004, 09:56:20 AM »

Yea right...ever hear of the AARP? If they have their way, they'll be another lane added for those driving 23 in a 65

Eagler · « **Reply #4 on:** March 30, 2004, 10:05:03 AM »

shame, sound like very good ppl

AKCasca · « **Reply #5 on:** March 30, 2004, 10:09:11 AM »

How dare anyone drive their car down the street they live on and interfere with whatever group that wants to use it as Their personal event!
Tis a sad thing the lady was hit, but give me a freaking break, it wasnt intentional. As someone whos neighborhood gets more than its share of bike/walk/run/sashay lockdowns on various weekends there have been times...

Saurdaukar · « **Reply #6 on:** March 30, 2004, 10:13:28 AM »

If you slapped my car with your hand while I was driving through I'd put a boot up your ass.

No touchy other peoples cars.

Lance · « **Reply #7 on:** March 30, 2004, 10:16:45 AM »

Get out of the damn road.

gofaster · « **Reply #8 on:** March 30, 2004, 10:30:07 AM »

Stay off a closed street and I won't slap your car. Don't drive on a designated walkway.

gofaster · « **Reply #9 on:** March 30, 2004, 10:32:52 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Saurdaukar
If you slapped my car with your hand while I was driving through I'd put a boot up your ass.

No touchy other peoples cars.

Don't flatter yourself. Don't be surprise if people are offended when you break the law. You drive your shiny new BMW down a closed road, one that's designated as a walkway, and deliberately by-pass traffic control barricades and I'd say you had more than a handslap coming to you.

GtoRA2 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 30, 2004, 10:56:30 AM »

Gofaster
I agree, there is no good escuse for this, if the street is closed, it is closed.

As of the bike people mentioned here. I do not know if you are one of them, but many of the bike *******s in the bay area, think THEY own the road. When they are on the road they are supposed to obey the same laws as the cars yet I constantly see the run red lights, and then flip off cars that honk at them. You have no more right to the road then a car owner.

The bike *******s in Cali have gotten way out of hand with their bull**** like Critical mass were they all go block traffic in rush hour. *******S.

No to mention the same *******s on bikes that cry so loudly about cars do the same **** to pedestrains in parks. I can not tell you how many times I have almost been run down by some dip**** on a mountain bike blazing down a trail.

Gunslinger · « **Reply #11 on:** March 30, 2004, 11:16:10 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by LePaul
Yea right...ever hear of the AARP? If they have their way, they'll be another lane added for those driving 23 in a 65

Have you seen the South Park episode were the AARP takes over the town cause all the old people keep killing pedestrians in the town with their cars and the kids turn into red dawn style wolverines....one of my favorite eps.

Heater · « **Reply #12 on:** March 30, 2004, 12:42:35 PM »

I agree, some people should not have a license....
Last summer I was cut off while on the bike, the guy actually drove around me so he had to have seen me he then tried to out run me, (Ford Kia vs. a VF1000R) when I caught him a block later at the next stop light I pulled up next to him...put my fist through the drivers window and asked him if he saw me now...he made some comment like he was going to kick my bellybutton so I got off the bike and he took off like rabbit...

Leather riding gloves not only provide protection if you go down, but work quite well to get peoples attention

Saurdaukar · « **Reply #13 on:** March 30, 2004, 02:26:32 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by gofaster
Don't flatter yourself. Don't be surprise if people are offended when you break the law. You drive your shiny new BMW down a closed road, one that's designated as a walkway, and deliberately by-pass traffic control barricades and I'd say you had more than a handslap coming to you.

If someone is actually - oh I dunno - trying to get to work or something in the middle of your gay pride parade or march for the homeless or something, feel free to say something to him (Im sure he'll understand) but hiting peoples cars is a seriously irresponsible move and more that likely enough for the driver to put on his parking brake, temporarily (walk faster at this point).

Oh, and how am I 'flattering myself' and what does the manufacturer of my car have to do with it?

gofaster · « **Reply #14 on:** March 30, 2004, 02:33:48 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Saurdaukar
If someone is actually - oh I dunno - trying to get to work or something in the middle of your gay pride parade or march for the homeless or something, feel free to say something to him (Im sure he'll understand) but hiting peoples cars is a seriously irresponsible move and more that likely enough for the driver to put on his parking brake, temporarily (walk faster at this point).

Oh, and how am I 'flattering myself' and what does the manufacturer of my car have to do with it?

You drive on the sidewalk, expect some smack.

You drive on a closed course, expect some smack.

You dodge a police barricade, expect some smack.

The road was closed for exactly 1 hour, 20 minutes: 10 minutes before the gun went off, 1 hour 10 minutes for the duration of the event. The police follow the last walker to clean up the cones and make sure all participants are accounted for (including giving rides to those that can't make it). Organizers and the city provide notice to affected residents of street closures prior to the event. That's standard operating procedure in Tampa.

If you have to get to work, then leave an hour early. Your boss will be impressed.

If you have an emergency, the police are right there to provide you an escort.

For everything else, wait your turn.