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A woman who worked at the Red Bamboo restaurant on West 4th Street was killed while riding her bicycle in the East Village Sunday night. A private trash truck hit Brandie Bailey at Houston and Avenue A as she was biking home to East Williamsburg before Midnight. When he was pulled over on East 21st and Second Avenue, the trucker driver told the police he didn't realize he had hit anybody. The driver hasn't been charged yet, but the police are still investigating.
Co-workers at the Red Bamboo told the Post that Bailey was from Canada and had been living in Williamsburg with friends, saying, "That girl was as sweet as they get."
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How does it happen that "I didn't see anything" becomes an excuse for hitting someone? There really isn't much information available here so perhaps he didn't do anything wrong. Somehow I really doubt it though. The state of traffic enforcement in NYC is abysmal.
"I didn't see her" isn't an excuse--it's a reason. As unfortunate as this was, it seems to have been an accident (i doubt the driver was trying to hit this girl). Furthermore, there's no info here on how this happened -- i've seen bicyclists doing some pretty risky/illegal things. Either way, the actual circumstances are unlikely to ever be ironed out unless an eyewitness comes forward.
None of those articles state whether she was wearing a helmet or not. Was she knocked off her bike and then run over? Did she hit her head? What injuries did she sustain? Why aren't there more details? Something like wearing your helmet can be the difference between life and death. I just wonder...
Surprisingly, it doesn't seem like a lot of hit-and-runs aren't prosecuted as strongly as you would think - I think maybe the drivers' records are noted, but sometimes they are just accidents. That's why witnesses and other statements will be examined.
And ochimama, I didn't read anything about a helmet or how the accident took place, but I was looking for it. Houston Street is so terrible - there are about 100 accidents in the making around there at any given time.
"I didn't see her" is a reason to run someone over? I'm a regular cyclist in Manhattan who a)wears a helmet, and b) has lights and I understand crazy things do happen, but I've also seen DRIVERS doings some pretty risky/illegal things and they have a lot of metal around them for protection. Yes, we don't know the circumstances, but we certainly can't complain that New Yorkers drive "too safely" - especially the cabs. My sympathies to her familiy.
True that Jen. I avoid biking on Houston at all costs. I just wish those "news" articles were more informative. As a daily biker in NYC these details are important to me. I am always sad and a little freaked out when I read about the death of a biker. All I can do is try my best to be safe and hope some big ass truck doesn't hit me.
Rest in peace Brandie. My condolences to her friends and family.
"I didn't see her" is not a reason to run someone over, but it would certainly make a difference in how the police charge the driver, if they charge him at all. If he hit her and knew it and still drove away, that's a lot more serious than if he had no idea. Even if all you know about law enforcement comes from watching Law & Order, you'd know that.
Still, it's sad a woman died and that an accident like this happened in the first place.
i didn't mean that "i didn't see her" is a reason to run her over. i meant it's the reason why it happened, since i'm giving the driver the benefit of the doubt that he wouldn't have intentionally hit her had he seen her. if he knew he hit her and drove away, yes that is a crime. i am not a driver or cyclist but as a pedestrian it scares the shit out of me whether i see a cab barrelling at me trying to catch a yellow light or a cyclist whizzing by out of nowhere going against the flow of traffic or riding on the sidewalk.
way too little info given. what time was the accident? how is happen? helmet/no helmet? injuries sustained? speed of truck?
from what i heard, it took multiple people to identify her remains. that sounds like a pretty serious accident to "not see anything." it was also reported that she was hit from behind. i really wish there was more information.
i guess i might be a little murky on the definition of involuntary manslaughter, but it seems that between that and leaving the scene of an accident, this guy should have been in custody a long time ago.
and anyone that tries to blame the cyclist (ie. victim) obviously doesn't know what they are talking about. try commuting to work on two wheels for a week and then see how quick you are to side with nyc drivers.
From what little info there is, and if it's true there were ID issues with the victim, than it may well be that she wound up under the rear wheels of the truck as it turned.
I'm an avid and city-smart biker, but have allowed myself to get in the way of this sort of harm once or twice either by ignoring traffic on my left, or trying to pass slow traffic on their right. And I see other riders do it with frightening regularity.
Drivers are totally nuts, but it's not hard to see how at that intersection at that hour this accident could happen without the driver's knowledge.
Ride defensively, friends.
All I know is today I started to wear my helmet again and bought new head/tail lights. But who knows if she had a helmet or not? Noah Budnick, from TA, was SERIOUSLY injured while he was wearing a helmet. As 'bike friendly' as this city is, it has a long way to go. But what we really need is a bike awareness campaign. How many people don't look behind them when opening a cab/car door, or make a turn without looking back or turning on a signal? Vehicles with motors aren't the only vehicles on the road and they need to be more aware of that.
Man, I always have this fear that someone will open their car door too hard and I'll get knocked on my ass.
And people simply don't acknowlege bike lanes. I ride up Lafayette a lot - cars double park and pedestrians step out, blocking the path. It might not seem like much, but I don't want to make the choice between hitting a pedestrian and swerving into traffic.
A helmet does not help you much if a garbage truck runs over you.
She was a good friend of several friends of mine, and was truly a much loved and adored person. Friends described her as sweet, friendly, giving and always smiling - she was one of the best types of people. It truly is a major loss.
NYC needs better traffic enforcement to save pedestrians and cyclists. We can't afford to lose any more people like Brandie.
There is also a benefit show to help her mother pay for funeral costs. Here is the info:
SUNDAY MAY 15th@ CBGB 315 BOWERY
TURMOIL
100 DEMONS
PAINT IT BLACK
BLACKLISTED
THE UNHOLY
CAST ASIDE
12 dollars 5 pm doors
16 and over w/id
a collection will be held during the course of the show for the memory of Brandie Bailey. the donations will be raising money to help out the Bailey family in thier time of need.
if you are at the show please help if not please repost
and then...
Please go to these links and read. We need your help.
-- http://www.hardcorewebsite.net/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?/topic/1/48628.html
-- http://www.thenjscene.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=142807
Please copy and paste this. Thanks for your time and your help.
she really was an amazing girl, go here to see for yourself:
http://www.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=114025&Mytoken=20050509143804
Let me just say she was a doll. Brandie and I went to highschool together and I nearly choked when I found out what had happend. I don't know how you can't see someone, but I still can't imagine how that trucker feels.
i was run over by a garbage truck nearly 12 months ago now. Luckily i survived. I was walking along the road not riding. I agree that helmets wouldnt make a difference in my case the dual tyres ran over my legs meaning i didnt sustain any severe internal injuries but if it had been any higher i would not be here. I've never been to new york i actually live in sydney australia and the man who ran me over gave the same reason "i didnt see her" and to be honest i believe him and dont blame him and believe he shouldnt blame himself. THe thing that should be blamed is the bloody monster of a truck. They shouldn't be on the roads.
please stop debating over who is or isnt at fault. just remember the beautiful, fun, amazing girl that she is. fighting over a accident wont do any good. you cant put that man in jail and you can determine the rest of the drivers life. im sure shes looking down on all of her loved ones. so please, remember her the way she would want to be.
It's not about who's at fault. It's about making the streets better and remembering the fallen.
Keep them warm in your hearts.
I miss you so much, Brandie.