Two Tragedies

This is a tragedy of the worst sort. Nancy Leidy is a cyclist out for a morning ride. Brian Anthony Reid is a college student who on the very day he turns 21 apparently celebrates with some early morning drinking. He then climbs behind the wheel of his pick-up truck.

The paths of Leidy and Reid fatally collided at 11 a.m. on Wednesday. Reid has been charged with felony death by motor vehicle as well as impaired driving.

In an editorial today, the Raleigh N&O noted the remarkable generosity of spirit demonstrated by Leidy’s husband. “I feel bad for the guy,” Mr. Leidy said. “I was young once, and I remember getting [drunk] before. I don't think it was at 11 a.m., though.”

A quote from the same editorial:

There would be less call for such generosity of spirit if motorists would simply take more care around bicyclists. Each year about 30 bike riders are killed in North Carolina and another 160 seriously injured. Some are victims of their own bad judgment or bad riding, but too many are needlessly struck by drivers who could have avoided trouble if only they'd slowed down or allowed a little more leeway. Or let a little time pass before passing the cyclist in the clear.

For any driver whose vehicle hits someone on a bike, it's too late to think about what could have been done differently. For the rest of us, the time to think is now.

Here’s the first story on the accident and a follow-up report on the new charges.