By now, I’m sure most LA cyclists have heard about the trial of Dr. Christopher Thompson. He’s the guy that cut off two cyclists on a downhill stretch of roadway in Brentwood, then slammed on his brakes, sending one of the cyclists through his back window.
Yes, you read that right. A doctor, an emergency room doctor no less, is now facing charges that include assault with a deadly weapon and reckless driving causing injury, for intentionally causing this pointless accident. His attorney, Peter Swarth, is trying to put the blame on the cyclists. Good luck with that. I wonder if you have to be hard up for cash to take a case like this. It’s not like he’s defending a child molester or rapist, but certainly, it’s gotta be difficult to defend a client who uses a car as a weapon against men on bicycles.
Dr. Thompson, described as a “pudgy” 60 year old, is apparently offended by gentlemen getting exercise. But his behavior probably makes some of us long for the good old days of rednecks throwing empty beer cans at us. They were downright polite by comparison.
At a time when cyclists are becoming even more visible, and fighting for more facilities, this trial will likely have effects reaching far beyond some doctor doing jail time. Should be interesting to see how this one turns out.