The Virginian-Pilot
©
VIRGINIA BEACH
Jim Dunham was on the last leg of his pre-dinner bike ride Tuesday when, all of a sudden, he went flying through the air.
He landed about 30 feet away and ended up at Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital with a host of injuries, including nine broken ribs and a broken clavicle and pelvis. Police say a blue truck may have struck him and fled the scene, and detectives are investigating the incident as a felony hit-and-run case.
The incident occurred shortly before 5:30 p.m. on Shore Drive near 83rd Street, police said. There was one witness, but she did not see the actual impact, said Officer Adam Bernstein, a police spokesman.
Dunham, 55, said he didn't see the vehicle. He's been riding for 32 years, often along Shore Drive on his way to and from his Cape Story home, he said. He was wearing a helmet and safety gear.
Dunham said he was struck once before on Shore Drive, more than 20 years ago, but was not seriously hurt. In April 2009, a cyclist died after being struck from behind by a sport utility vehicle on the road. No charges were filed in that death.
Tuesday’s case remains under investigation. Police ask that anyone with information call Crime Solvers at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP (562-5887) or text “VBTIP” and the information to CRIMES (274637).
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To Everyone
Have some compassion for your fellow human. This was a hit and run. Cycling, Walking, Driving Your Car, none of that matters. Some low form of life, hit a person and didn't bother to stop. This is the issue, none of that other nonesence matters. Stop typing to read your own thoughts and consider the family that could have lost someone they love. A young girl was walking recently and someone hit and ran as well. Same issue, should she no longer walk across the street? Stop this insane banter and help identify the vehicle and it's driver. Thank you for your support. There will be a cash reward for tips to catch and convict this felon.
To Everyone
Thank you all for the attention. Jim is a Father, Husband, Friend, Neighbor and more to quite a few people. In the 20+ cyclists clogging up "your" roads, you have a child, wife, mother, daughter, father, friend, pastor, lawyer, doctor, teacher, motorist,....... all walks of life in that pack of cyclists. One of the few sports where so many different people can get together and be unified. Many times its for causes to raise money and awareness for things such as cancer, MS, diabetes. Diseases and disabilities you or your family may be familiar with, and much needed money that some of these people don't have the funds for themselves. 1 of these things may affect you 1 day and then you'll finally appreciate the ride.
Inappropriate comments concerning cyclist
I need you all to help me understand what great injustice cyclist have done brought to you that you can give no notice to someone who perpetrated a felony hit and instead turn all your scorn on a cyclist who lies broken up in a hospital bed. What harm have they caused you? Have they brought death and destruction to your world? Robbed you of your earthly possessions? Terrorized you and your love ones? Please be specific because otherwise It may seem that you’re just a spoiled and bitter little coward who has no other recourse in life other than to vent your general unhappiness hidden safely behind anonymity.
PS-I rode that same stretch of shore drive tonight at the about same time Jim was hit so remember to "share the road."
So ... only people who smoke, overeat, and don't exercise
drive cars and trucks?
And you only see lean and fit non-smokers riding bicycles?
Ever see a person who does
Ever see a person who does not exercise riding a bike? Kinda' defeats itself doesn't it? Really just a game you want us to play. We all know who looks better naked.
idiots
Haven't they learned not to ride on the road by now? Especially Shore Dr. Roads are for cars and trucks and are not safe for bicycles. These guys have terrible attitudes anyways, I can't stand seeing 20 of them taking up a lane. Get on the bike path or pick a real sport. Otherwise, run the risk of getting hit.
Idiot?
I posted a comment for you
The first thing that we need to do is....
... blame the victim. And i'm glad to see that many here have done so. Excellent. Second, the hit and run driver prolly had to be somewhere. Maybe they were even running late. Maybe they knocked back a few drinks, perhaps texting, maybe reaching for some spilled french fries, maybe turning up the volume for the Shaun Hannity radio show. Or maybe the driver did what a lot of drivers in VABeach do... the driver saw a cyclist on THEIR road, automatically went into rage mode, and instead of moving over a bit (liberty-suffocating onerous rules!) they decided to drive as close to the cyclist as possible to scare him. And the driver misjudged and Jim is torn up as a result. Can we really blame the driver for that? Dang you cyclists!
Oh oh
I almost agree with a TR post !!
Just change "Shaun Hannity radio show" to NPR. The majority of close calls I have had are with vehicles with a "1-20-09" or some sort of Obama bumper sticker. Most likely because liberal drivers have a hard time with any task that takes mental focus and are so self centered that they don't even see the other people around them.
RG
Funny u say that cuz I agree with all of DuppyC's posts in this thread. The planets have aligned. Dup, do you ride in the tues/thurs group?
RG, cheap shot on NPR listeners. I just mentioned hannity (correct time of day) and you get all defensive.