Car vs. Bike Incident on Hwy 84, 6/22/2010 - white Ford pickup in Woodside
White Ford F250 or F350 pickup with metal construction workers framing in the bed (looks like a construction truck). License Plate 6P88487.
Yesterday afternoon at 3pm, I was heading east on Highway 84 from Skyline. For those familiar with that descent, I was about 20yds in front of the first turn when the above mentioned truck was just crossing the 84 / 35 intersection (so approx 100yds behind me at a stop sign). He must have floored it because as I was coming out of the 1st turn he was inches off my back laying on the horn. He continued a single long honk through several turns while riding on my tail or trying unsuccessfully to pass me on the left over the double yellow, due to oncoming traffic. All this took place before the long straight with a shoulder that's approximately 1/2 way down the descent, which is the only safe place to pull over and allow someone to pass, IMO. Finally, he forced himself beside me on my right (I was riding a defensive line to black further attempts to pass with oncoming traffic), rolled down the window to yell something at me, and then cut hard left while braking, forcing me into oncoming traffic. I avoided being hit and dragged under his back wheels by about 4 inches. Thankfully, I stayed upright and stopped right there to call 911. While doing so, a woman pulled up who had witnessed the whole thing and provided her contact info, corroborating what I believed - that despite the fact that I was 'flying' (in her words) the guy continued to harass me until he tried to run me off the road. Here I'd just add that I am a very fast descender, and I was going at or above the speed limit the whole time. In fact, I gapped the officer by 30-45 seconds coming down after he took my statement. I say this to show that my speed should not have been an issue to provoke the guy, as most cars travel slower than I do down that road.
About 30 minutes later a San Mateo County deputy arrived to take my statement. Unfortunately, when I told him my intent to press assault charges, he told me that it will be my word against his, but that he would take it to the DA. He gave me the impression that nothing will come of it (likely he won't put much legwork into it, even), despite my story and a witness. According to the deputy, the truck is registered to a business, though he didn't say which and I didn't notice a name on the side. It was driven by a dark complexioned male (I thought white but very tan).
Please note the description of the truck, and the incident itself, is VERY similar to a hit-and-run case that occurred in September 2008 in the same Woodside / Portola Valley area. The victim suffered a broken collarbone and broken ribs. Riders with him were able to get a partial plate. A link to a forum that includes the Mercury News story and ensuing discussion is here. In addition to this other incident, I've seen other forum posts describing the driver of a white pickup in that area throwing drink cups, etc. at cyclists.
In the article an active cyclist / racer named Janet Gahagen described the hit-and-run as a witness. She is a Mountain View, CA resident and races for Kalyra/Bella Nova Women's Cycling Team. If anyone knows her, please send her this post and ask that she contact me. If we can match the plates we'll be one step closer to making sure charges can be brought against the driver. Also, please post this message to anybody other message boards you deem fit. Word needs to get out about this truck, plate 6P88487. I'd hate for this guy to become another case like the one in LA involving an ER doctor with road rage. It wasn't until after he actually seriously injured someone that he was charged and sent to jail.
I wish I had more details to provide than that, but will update as I learn more. Ride Safe.
That's awful. Glad to hear that you survived the incident. We should all keep an eye out for this truck/driver, and report any incidents to the police. They will hopefully take it much more seriously as more independent reports get made.
Thanks for posting - lots of us ride around there, and are potentially exposed to this kind of sociopathic behavior.
"I think," said Christopher Robin, "that we ought to eat all our Provisions now, so that we shan't have so much to carry.", Winnie-the-Pooh, A. A. Milne.
"I think," said Christopher Robin, "that we ought to eat all our Provisions now, so that we shan't have so much to carry.", Winnie-the-Pooh, A. A. Milne.
at the minimum, I'd call the CHP and report that I saw that vehicle spewing smoke out of it's exhaust, that'll ensure he'll have a good time next license plate renewal time
I agree with francois, this sounds like the guy that's been terrorizing cyclists in that area for a long time.
Please do your best to get this guy behind bars. Threatening to injure or kill people because they're on a bicycle is of the utmost stupidity. He needs to be removed from society before he really does murder someone.
Thanks Francois. It does look like the above truck, though the bed framing was a little bit different, beefier looking and gray, if I can recall correctly. Otherwise, yes it definitely was that model truck with that configuration. Thanks too for passing info on to folks who know Janet.
Thanks Francois. It does look like the above truck, though the bed framing was a little bit different, beefier looking and gray, if I can recall correctly. Otherwise, yes it definitely was that model truck with that configuration. Thanks too for passing info on to folks who know Janet.
Awesome, that's just a stock photo but a good representative photo can come in handy. We can make 'Wanted' flyers and pass them to all the cycling clubs and post it in key spots in Woodside.
The more eyes out there and the more people come out of the woodwork with past experiences, the better.
And even worst case, local cyclists will be hyper aware of this dangerous driver.
If you happen to see a white F350 works truck matching the description, please check to see if the plate is 6P88487. It would be worth committing this plate to memory if you can. If you come across the vehicle try to take a picture of the truck (and driver?), and post it here. See if you can get any other id on the vehicle, eg. name of the construction company. If it is parked and it is safe to approach it, a copy of the VIN would be awesome as we could then look it up on carfax.com. On some vehicles the VIN is placed on the dashboard and can be read through the windshield.
"I think," said Christopher Robin, "that we ought to eat all our Provisions now, so that we shan't have so much to carry.", Winnie-the-Pooh, A. A. Milne.
If you happen to see a white F350 works truck matching the description, please check to see if the plate is 6P88487. It would be worth committing this plate to memory if you can. If you come across the vehicle try to take a picture of the truck (and driver?), and post it here. See if you can get any other id on the vehicle, eg. name of the construction company. If it is parked and it is safe to approach it, a copy of the VIN would be awesome as we could then look it up on carfax.com. On some vehicles the VIN is placed on the dashboard and can be read through the windshield.
The hunt for White F350 begins today. I'll be at Woodside!
Will have my eyes open since I ride through San Carlos quite a bit.. I've been buzzed by a truck like this before, although nothing like your encounter.
Why am I not surprised that the San Mateo Sheriff was uncooperative - the same that target cyclists rolling stop signs in Woodside. There must be a very anti-cycling culture in that organization.
If you don't get the address from the license plate, it could be worth doing a little recon at a few of the closest construction companies. I bet that would provide some results pretty quickly.
Maybe there is a USDOT registration number associated with this vehicle. I don't know the requirements or criteria for having a USDOT number but many commercial vehicles carry them. If local law enforcement won't do anything, perhaps the Fed will.
Couldn't one go to the DMV with the plate number to get the owner info? They did that for me a long time ago( 20+yrs) when I was interested in buying an abandoned looking motorcycle.
`The Corkscrew was a great overtaking spot!´ smirked the World Championship leader. `Sometimes it´s possible to make a mistake there, but the gravel had good grip!´
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Originally Posted by Slave2Gravity
