More emerges on Charles Nystrom, but not on the accident
fatality August 16th, 2008
Several people have emailed me to tell me that they suspect there is more to this story than we are getting. Why would an experienced bicycle commuter run in front of a pickup? I want to see the police report to learn exactly where he was trying to cross Tanque Verde and where he was hit.
In the meantime, the papers are reporting more about him as a person, as has KVOA. It is a sad loss to our community and, especially, to his many students and loved ones.
–Erik Ryberg
August 16th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
I notice that the Star never fails to mention it when a cyclist involved in an accident isn’t wearing a helmet — as if that makes a difference. Yet nothing has been said about a helmet or lack thereof in this case, which makes me suspect that Mr. Nystron was wearing his. In the newspaper photo of the accident scene, I think I can see his helmet in the street. Seems like the media should be consistent with this. “He was an experienced cyclist and he was wearing a helmet, but he still lost his life to a motorist.”
August 16th, 2008 at 10:19 pm
Regarding who’s at fault, several questions remain to be answered. But! From the printed statements, the fault appears to be at minimum, shared. However fault seems to learn more heavily if not wholly on the driver of the truck. Consider the following
If Charles was already in the median lane, as reported, and the driver of the truck changed from the curb lane to the median lane the following must be assumed:
Charles had safely entered a lane without cars and was safe until the truck entered the lane;
Relative to the truck, Charles was stationary;
The driver of the truck did not enter the median lane to avoid Charles but entered the median lane and struck Charles;
Charles had no opportunity to avoid the accident once the truck entered the lane;
The driver of the truck not only had the last opportunity to avoid the accident, she took an action that caused the accident;
If she had not taken that action, Charles would in all likelihood still be alive today;
Although there appears to be no evidence that she intentionally aimed her car at Charles there appears the effect is certainly the same;
There is ample evidence that she was negligent in her responsibility to be aware of obstacles in her path (other cars, dogs, children pedestrians, Charles);
The accounts of the accident appear to indicate that the driver of the truck did not apply her brakes until after she hit Charles, if this is so, her negligence is more than implied;
If the driver had rear-ender another car upon changing lanes, whether or not the car was stationary, she would have received a ticket.
Perhaps the police officer who investigated the accident could have benefited from attending some of Charles physics lectures.
August 17th, 2008 at 7:24 pm
I am Charles daughter and just wanted to speak on behalf of my family. We know as much about what happened still as anyone who as read the papers or seen the tv. We appreciate all the support and encouragement. My mum specifically wanted me to put here to stress for everyone to be safe when riding your bike. She left our lunch today momentarily to talk to a family who had biked to the resturant to tell them the same advice.
The Visitation will be at the Brings Funeral Home on Broadway from 5-8pm on Monday
The Memorial will be Tuesday at 5:30pm at Mountain Avenue Church of Christ over by the UoA
August 17th, 2008 at 8:20 pm
I really appreciate everyone’s comments on Chuck’s accident. I was really angry with KVOA when they said the accident was Chuck’s fault. I called them and they acted like
“What’s the big deal?” They are supposed to do an on air retraction, however, I’m not going to hold my breath because the woman I spoke to wouldn’t say for certain, or whether someone would let me know when it would take place. As an afterthought, she said, “Oh, and I’m sorry for your loss.”
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:05 pm
[...] most of my readers know, Charles Nystrom was killed while riding his bicycle on Tanque Verde Road last year. He was a retired Air Force pilot, a bicyclist, father of two daughters, and was working as a [...]