Recent Streetsblog CHICAGO posts about Bike Fatalities

The memorial to Louis Ray Smith at the crash site. Photo: John Greenfield

Did the Police Close the Louis Smith Bike Fatality Case Solely Based on Driver Testimony?

By John Greenfield | Jun 22, 2017 | 1 Comment

The phenomenon of police presenting motorists’ accounts of fatal or serious bike crashes as fact can be a roadblock to finding out what really happened to these victims and making sure justice is served.

The 100 block of North Homan Avenue. Image: Google Street View

Driver Struck and Killed Cyclist Louis Smith, 56, in East Garfield

By John Greenfield | Jun 6, 2017 | 5 Comments

Last night motorist struck and killed 56-year-old Louis Smith as he bicycled in the East Garfield Park neighborhood.

Bobby Cann and Ryne San Hamel. Photos: Michelle Klosinski, Chicago Police Department

Did the Driver Who Killed Bobby Cann Lie About Trying to Save His Life?

By John Greenfield | Feb 27, 2017 | No Comments

[The Chicago Reader publishes a weekly transportation column written by Streetsblog Chicago editor John Greenfield. We syndicate a portion of the column on Streetsblog after it comes out online; you can read the remainder on the Reader’s website or in print.] Ryne San Hamel, the motorist who killed cyclist Bobby Cann in a May 2013 crash while […]

10 Days for Bobby Cann’s Killer, a Repeat Drunk Driver, Is an Insult

By John Greenfield | Jan 27, 2017 | 27 Comments

This ruling proves once again the old adage that if you want to kill someone with few consequences, make sure they’re riding a bike.

Jezniah Smith Honored at Ghost Bike Ceremony: “He Had a Beautiful Heart”

By Steven Vance | Jan 24, 2017 | No Comments

Dozens of family and friends of Jezniah Smith came to honor the fallen cyclists with the installation of a white-painted "ghost bike" at the crash site in Humboldt Park.

Barbara Eno. Photo courtesy of the family

Wrongful Death Lawsuit for Fallen Cyclist Barbara Eno Goes to Trial in March

By John Greenfield | Jan 18, 2017 | No Comments

The truck driver claimed that he signaled his turn, although one of his right turn signal lights was broken, but a witness said that he failed to do so.

Family of Fallen Cyclist Jezniah Smith Plans to File Wrongful Death Lawsuit

By John Greenfield | Jan 17, 2017 | 1 Comment

The driver was not cited, and police said it is believed he had the green, but there's no record of independent witnesses or camera footage to back up this theory.

Jezniah Smith, 34, Fatally Struck While Biking in Humboldt Park

By John Greenfield | Jan 12, 2017 | 5 Comments

Last night a car driver struck and killed a male bicyclist in the Humboldt Park neighborhood in what appears to be the first bike fatality case of 2017.

With lots of new infrastructure this year, including the 35th Street bike/ped bridge, there were plenty of wins for biking, walking, and transit. Photo: John Greenfield

Despite High-Profile Deaths, 2016 Was A Good Year for Chicago Transportation

By John Greenfield | Dec 29, 2016 | No Comments

Emanuel cut the ribbon on a number of new sustainable transportation amenities. And thanks to the mayor's need to rebuild his image, transportation officials paid more attention to equity concerns this year.

Bobby Cann. Photo: Michelle Klosinski, Groupon

The Driver Who Killed Cyclist Bobby Cann May Plead Guilty Next Month

By John Greenfield | Dec 22, 2016 | 3 Comments

A guilty plea would bring a resolution to the case, which has been dragging on for years, but the defense has indicated that they won't accept jail time.

An Update on the Janice and Mark Wendling Bike Fatality Case

By John Greenfield | Dec 19, 2016 | 6 Comments

Although the teen who struck them was previously ticketed for speeding, and marijuana was recovered at the crash site, so far he has received only one traffic citation. Meanwhile a wrongful death suit is moving forward.

Stop Victim Blaming Pedestrians and Cyclists Fatally Struck by Drivers

By John Greenfield | Dec 8, 2016 | No Comments

We need to change the prevailing tendency to blame traffic violence victims for their own deaths.

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