A 47-year-old man from San Ramon, California has being charged with drunk driving after an accident that injured a 13-year-old bicyclist.

The accident occurred on March 25 at a crosswalk on the Morgan Drive and San Ramon Valley Boulevard. The 13-year-old girl was riding her bike, when she was hit by George Freeman in his van. When police arrived at the scene, they could see that he was visibly drunk. Toxicology tests that were taken after the accident revealed that his blood alcohol level was over the legal limit of .08.

Not only was he behind the wheel in an intoxicated state, but he was also driving with children in the van. For this reason, Freeman has also been charged with child endangerment. Neither Freeman nor his two children were injured. He has been charged with felony driving under the influence while causing bodily injury, and felony child endangerment. The girl who was injured in the bicycle accident was hospitalized with serious leg and foot injuries, as well as a concussion. At the time of the bike accident, she was wearing a helmet.

The accident shocked the community at the time because it came within a week after another 8-year-old was killed while riding home on his bicycle. That accident occurred on Montevideo Drive. The driver in that accident, however, was not found criminally liable. It turned out that the boy rode his bicycle in front of the bus while it was making a right turn. Freeman, on the other hand, could face time in jail. He has been arraigned in Walnut Creek Superior Court.

For a man to be driving a van under the influence of alcohol is bad enough, but to have his children in the van with him is unforgivable. It appears that George Freeman is either not aware of the dangers of drunken driving, or doesn’t care. We find it hard to believe that a man who understands the implications and consequences of drunk driving would expose his children to the risk. If he shows this level of carelessness and disregard for the safety of his own children, how much attention does he pay to the well being of a stranger on the street? George Freeman’s actions could have had tragic consequences, and he should be held responsible for his negligent behavior. Freeman has only his luck to thank that there were no deaths, and that injuries were not life threatening. If he is allowed to get away without paying a heavy price, it won’t be surprising if he displays this same behavior again.

The Reeves Law Group is a law firm with offices throughout California dedicated exclusively to the representation of personal injury victims, including victims of bicycle accidents. Please visit our website at trlglaw.com. If you desire a free consultation on a personal injury matter, please call us at (800) 644-8000 or email us.

It’s a dangerous time for bicyclists on the busiest street in Santa Cruz. When 40- year-old deaf odd-job man Christopher Evan Rock was killed by a quarry truck trailer last Tuesday, his death only convinced citizens that something had to be done about the increasing numbers of bicyclist fatalities on the street.

Christopher Rock’s case is particularly tragic. A severe brain bleed about 14 years ago left his cognitive abilities limited. He had to drop out of school, and survived by taking up odd jobs here and there. He used notes and sign language to communicate. He liked to ride or walk wherever he went. Last Tuesday, Rock was on his bicycle riding east on Mission Street, when the trailer of a quarry truck struck and killed him. The driver of the truck reportedly did not even notice that there had been an accident until some one flagged him down.

Police are still investigating the cause of the accident, and are awaiting the results of Rock’s autopsy. By all accounts, it wasn’t the driver of the truck who is to blame for the accident. He was supposedly a “model employee”, and was said to be devastated by the accident.

The street itself, it’s feared, isn’t safe for bicyclists, and hasn’t been for a while now. Rocks’ death wasn’t the first one in recent times. Another cyclist was killed at that exact same spot making the toll two deaths since August. At least one other cyclist has been severely injured at the same point.

Residents say the street has no bicycle lanes, and there is hardly any concept of sharing the road. Caltrans is currently readying fluorescent “Share the Road” signs that will drive home the message of sharing the road space with bicyclists. But it’s obvious more needs to be done. And it is here that the issue seems stuck in a stalemate.

Residents and Caltrans officials blame a community meeting held several years ago, which failed to provide for bike lanes on the street. The bike advocacy group, People Power, at that time had just 60 members, and was not in a position to push for the protection of its cycling members. This, it seems, had been a grave mistake on the part of the city.

However, there isn’t much good to be had discussing how events in the past have contributed to the dangerous conditions on the streets. Making changes to the street is more important right now.

Residents seem enthusiastic about pushing for bicycle safety, and that’s an encouraging sign. People Power recently joined a memorial walk where hundreds of cyclists mourned the recent deaths of bicyclists. The organization has been invigorated by its current strength of 400 + members, and is planning to put pressure on the council for better bicycle safety.

We hope Caltrans and the City Council take whatever measures are necessary to increase safety for bicyclists on the street. If not, tragedies like Christopher Rock’s are likely to continue to occur.

If you have been injured in a bicycle accident, you need the help of an experienced California personal injury attorney. Contact a lawyer at The Reeves Law Group for a free consultation.