The Virginian-Pilot
©
CHESAPEAKE
Charles "Jay" McCarty Jr.'s life revolved around music.
When he wasn't playing keyboards with his band, the local group Tidewater Drive, he was recording music at his studio or leading services at Hickory Ridge Community Church, where he and his wife were co-worship pastors.
He could play, according to bandmate Jennifer Jones, "like 18 instruments."
"The man could play every instrument on stage," said Jones, who is the lead singer for the group, which played parties and weddings around Hampton Roads. "He played the harmonica, did background vocals, did lead vocals - he was so multifaceted."
McCarty was killed Tuesday night when he was struck by a car while riding his bicycle in the 900 block of Johnstown Road.
Police were called shortly after 10:30 p.m., when they found McCarty, 46, of the 1300 block of Fairhaven Road. He died at the scene.
Police charged the car's driver, Sarah Magnolia Perry, 21, with driving under the influence of alcohol. Perry, of the 3 000 block of Benefit Road, was arrested at the scene.
According to police, the car that hit McCarty had left the scene. Soon after officers arrived, Perry drove up in a 1997 Oldsmobile.
Police said additional charges are possible.
McCarty was "deeply rooted in his faith," Jones said. He also was always ready to laugh, including at himself. McCarty, who was a big man, would tell Jones a story about when he was in a rock band in the 1980s. The group wore spandex, and at one point, he told her, he kicked his leg up and his Spandex split open.
"He laughed and laughed," she said. "He thought it was hysterical."
Drummer Lenny Knox said he would sometimes go for a dramatic cymbal crash, only to find McCarty had placed his hand on the cymbal, dulling the sound to a thud.
"We had a blast," Knox said. "He's just one of those types of people you're only going to see once in your lifetime."
Alicia Wittmeyer, (757) 222-5216, alicia.wittmeyer@pilotonline.com
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You will be missed
First, I should say, I miss you Jay. I miss you all, Liz, Kirstyn and Bradyn. You are loved beyond measure. May you never forget it.
It should be said that this is someone's huband and father and grandfather and friend. He cared deeply for those around him and stood up for what was right. I am honored to have known him. I gained so much from the wisdom he shared with me in times we spent alone together. He took me in and treated me like gold. I will never in all my days forget all that he did for me.
I've never seen someone work so much and sleep so litle. I couldn't help but laugh when he did. Of course we were usually laughing because we got Bradyn to say "poop."
The man oozed talent. There wasn't an instrument he couldn't play. His talents most certainly didn't end there.
Knowing Jay and how much his life changed after being touched by Jesus was such a testimony to the power of God in our lives. May we never forget you, Jay. You were a truly great man. I'm a better man for having known you. I will miss you.
No Fear Of Courts
Another drunk driver killing another innocent person. And why does it happen? Because drunk drivers don't fear the justice system. That's why there are so many repeat offenders. In Chesapeake court on Thursday the defendant's 2 hour Dui trial ended with a reduced conviction. Although the guy was weaving, smelt of alcohol, had slurred speech, couldn't state the alphabet, failed all the sobriety tests, AND blew a .12, he was not found guilty. The judge even referred to this DUI death while making his decision. The judge just couldn't believe the defendant and his friends would lie about how much he had to drink. And having admitted to only two drinks, it had to be a defective machine that he was tested on. Even though an expert testified the machine was working properly, the judge decided to believe the defendant over a machine that could not be defective. So another drunk driver drives away to do it again. And Chesapeake employs a judge who has difficulty thinking people will lie. I'll drink to that....
Jay had some good things to say here.
http://jaymccarty.blogspot.com/
Night Riding is Too Dangerous
We cyclists prefer to stay off bike lanes because we are sick of dodging runners and baby carriages in the bicycle-only lanes. We want to go fast, and normal bike lanes aren't built for speed.
As for this individual, killed, while riding at night, was his bike equipped with a headlight and tail light? Was he wearing a reflective vest? We hard core cyclists prefer riding during daylight hours because with the idiot drivers out there, why increase your chances of getting killed by riding at night? All the blame is being placed on this girl for driving drunk, but could a sober driver see a bicyclist riding without the proper lights and reflective gear?
Drink and drive, and hope your luck don't run out too soon.
You make a few good points however even if the bike rider is found 100% in the wrong guess what he has already paid his penalty. I have NO sympathy for any drunk driver. The laws they are breaking and the penalties should be known by all drivers when they are sober. She gambled with her privilage and freedom and she lost. If any good could come out of any drunk driving disaster I would hope that maybe,just maybe, a sober drinker will make a better decision then this woman did before they get behind the wheel. In my opinion drunk drivers that kill someone deserve far more time then "superstars" that fight dogs or shoot themselves.
Sadly,two mistakes were made.
Tuesday night two mistakes were made. The choice to drive under the influence of alcohol, and the choice to ride at night on a typical Chesapeake road without lights on the bicycle. The difference in these choices is one person has to live with the consequences and the other person has died from the consequences.
I knew Jay from The Auto shop that works on my vehicles, and also in his work with the Church. A great guy who will be missed by all who knew him.
I am a cyclist who has grown up riding these roads in which the "bike lane" is the white line. I avoid situations and roads which don't offer safe passage. Johnstown and roads like it need wider shoulders.
Cyclists- please use lights in dim/no light situations, Ride like the vehicle that you are on the road. Don't ride to aggravate someone else.
Motorists- please have patience when approaching cyclists on the road, pass with care, put away distractions while driving, and please...don't drink and drive.
Common sense should trumph your rights sometimes.
Not to mention any names but one commentator hit the nail on the head at least twice. 1) Miss DUI was the murderer, A car was her weapon.
2) Don't try to drive a 2 wheeled vehicle capable of 15-20
mph on a 45-60mph highway capable of handling vehicles
with 4-18 wheels.
As far as Chesapeake building bike paths goes, Va. Beach has miles and miles of bike paths, but most of these "Hard Corps" bicycle riders refuse to use them. Whats up with that?
bike riders
I in no way wish to diminish the sadness of this event for all concerned. I can't help but wonder about the bicyclist's actions. For instance, this happened well after dark. Was his bike well illuminated? Was he wearing reflective clothing or vest? Was he following the rules of the road? As both an occasional bike rider and daily car driver, I am appalled by the number of bike riders riding on the wrong side of the street, running red lights, etc. on an almost daily basis.
While I agree wide shoulders, separate bike lanes, etc. would be nice, where is the money going to come from. Are all the bikers ready to pay a nice hefty licensing fee to pay for it? Or shall we just let everyone else pay for it?
it isn't the roads....
it's the nutball, crazy, speeding, tailgating [and sometimes drunk] drivers. I'm sorry this guy lost his life. did I read yesterday he was on Johnstown Road at 10:30 PM??? Why? I used to live out in Hickory. Johnstown, IMO, wasn't safe for vehicles in some places --- and at night some stretches of that road were pitch-black dark.
My condolences to his family.
Mourn the loss
This is a nice little tribute to a husband and father lost to careless driving. It's a good thing that he didn't have a motor on that bicycle. If he had the Pilot wouldn't consider running it. And others on this forum would be speculating on his drunkenness and recklessness, rather than his loss to family and community.