Critical Mass Augusta: Uncle Sam struck by van
October 16, 2008 by Webguy
It looks like critical mass is starting to finally occur in downtown, Augusta. They’re traditionally held on Friday afternoons (and during the day right?), but this one occured last night with about a group of 20 or so riders.
from wrdw’s website:
A bicyclist, dressed as Uncle Sam, is recovering after a van hits him on the corner of Broad Street and 15th Street in downtown Augusta.
Witnesses say he hurt his leg, but they believe he will recover. A fellow rider says Uncle Sam, who is a student at the Medical College of Georgia, just needs a few stitches.
It happened around 8:30 Wednesday night as he was riding with a group of about 25 other people also riding bikes in costume.
When a 2000 lb vehicle strikes you it is no joke first of all. This is typical American road rage. Unchecked aggression. I was maintaining the center lane with friends on cycles to my left and right lanes between 13th and 15th on Broad. Approaching from behind drom the traffic light was a group of autos lead by Wendell Sullivan Dunaway. He began to swerve between lanes to slide BETWEEN bikes as we were legally maintaining lanes. He "gunned" it and clipped me with his right mirror and we collided. There is a sizable dent in his fender. Mr. Dunaway then turned off his lights and sped away toward Riverwatch parkway. One of the riders saw him speed away but was able to get the tag number and call 911. In my best estimate, he returned with Captain Myers 20 minutes later to the BP where the ambulance, firetruck, police cruisers and new team had already arrived. I was taken to MCG ER. At the ER Captain Myers bullied me throughout the interrogation and threatened to arrest me several times.
Captain Myers would not allow anyone to be present during the interview even though my girlfriend was there. I asked for a different officer that would conduct a fair interview and later asked for a lawyer. He only continued to bully me. At one point I commented that the driver Dunaway must have some friends on the force because his charge was only ILLEGAL LANE CHANGE, never mind hitting a human with his van. Myers confirmed to me that they were friends. Witnesses at the scene informed me later that Myers and Dunaway were seen shaking hands and patting each other’s back. This statement is consistent with the news reports and eye witness accounts. This is not an indictment on officers and drivers that protect and serve but on mavericks who neglect and swerve.