Home > Fit City > Archives > 2009 > November > 03 > Entry
LA doctor convicted of assaulting cyclists
Cyclists are paying close attention to a road rage case in Los Angeles, where a former emergency room doctor was accused this week of assaulting two cyclists by driving his car in front of them and slamming on the brakes.
One of the cyclists crashed through the car’s rear window, breaking his nose and shattering several teeth. The other suffered a shoulder separation and road rash, according to coverage by Velo News.
Christopher Thomas Thompson was convicted of six felonies and faces up to 10 years in prison in the case. The doctor, who has no prior criminal record, will be sentenced Dec. 3, Velo News reports.
The case stems from a July 4, 2008 incident in which the cyclists were riding up a two-lane, dead-end street in the Brentwood subdivision of Los Angeles where Thompson lives. Thompson and the cyclists exchanged words before he stopped his car in front of them.
Thompson was charged with two counts each of assault with a deadly weapon and battery with serious bodily injury as well as reckless driving causing specified injury and mayhem, according to Velo News. He was also convicted of misdemeanor reckless driving in another case.
Thompson’s argument? He said the cyclists were belligerent and bikes are inherently unstable.
Bikes unstable? What about the doctor? (That’s him above, in an Associated Press photo taken by Mel Melcon.)
Thoughts anybody?
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment Categories: cycling
Comments
Austinites love to be heard, and we're giving you a bullhorn. We just ask that you keep things civil. Leave out the personal attacks. Do not use profanity, ethnic or racial slurs, or take shots at anyone's sexual orientation or religion. If you can't be nice, we reserve the right to remove your material and ban users who violate our Visitor's agreement. Click here to report comment abuse.
By Brent D.
November 3, 2009 12:09 PM | Link to this
Boy, that stunt cost him more than he ever expected. And he’s not even been dragged through civil court…yet.
Why can’t we all (bikers and autos) just get along in a respectful way?