Driver who killed Wisconsin cyclist receives 1 year in jail, 500 hours community service

A driver who killed a 46-year-old bicyclist while texting on her phone in Outagamie County was sentenced to one-fifth of the maximum allowable 5 year prison sentence under Wisconsin law (she will serve a year in jail instead).  She will also serve 500 hours of community service.

The Wisconsin Bicycle Federation is gathering input about whether the sentence is appropropriate.

Link: http://wisconsinbikefed.org/2013/08/21/does-1-year-in-jail-500-hrs-james-weiss-life/

Madison ped/cyclist death count rises to Six in 2013

Two bicyclists and four pedestrians have been struck and killed by drivers in 2013 so far.  The city is aiming to prevent more loss of life by issuing more tickets.  The city should also encourage people to drive less, in my opinion.

Link: http://www.cityofmadison.com/news/view.cfm?news_id=3993

Pedestrian struck and killed in downtown Madison

A 50-year-old female pedestrian was run down by an East-bound car at the intersection on E. Washington and S. Hancock, near Madison's Capitol, on the afternoon of Thursday, August 8th.  The woman died today from injuries she sustained - the fourth pedestrian to die this year alone due to being hit by a car.  A citation has not yet been filed against the driver.

Link: http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/madison-woman-hit-by-car-died-in-hospital/article_07ad31bf-6be0-5603-9920-d67b5bcc0383.html

Drunk driver who killed cyclist gets only 90 days of jail, with work release

This is a really sad state of affairs.  You can drive drunk in Wisconsin, kill someone, and still avoid serious jail time.  There is a possibility this will change, but in a state where the Tavern Association is one of the most powerful lobbying groups, the penalties will be incremental.

I imagine this story is also influenced by race and privilege.  If the driver had been black and not as well connected, I'm sure the sentence would not be as light.

Link: http://www.jsonline.com/news/crime/bicyclists-death-puts-owi-law-in-spotlight-b9966392z1-218316911.html

Sheboygan cyclist killed by distracted driver

The bicyclist, Allen Redensek, was the 8th person to die while bicycling on Wisconsin's roads this year.  The Wisconsin Bike Fed looks at the risks.  One should not assume that being a victim equates with doing something dangerous.

Link: http://wisconsinbikefed.org/2013/08/01/another-fatal-crash-why-we-care/