On June 4, the family of cyclist Brett Jarolimek, killed in October 2007, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the employee of the driver involved, AGG Enterprises, and the driver himself, 40-year-old Oregon City resident Bryan S. Lowes.
Jarolimek, a 31-year-old expert cyclist who died after colliding with an AGG Enterprises garbage truck at North Interstate Avenue and Greely Street on Oct. 22 of last year, was an employee of the Bike Gallery and was one of several cycling deaths in Oregon that catalyzed a push for statewide roadside signs memorializing bicyclists killed by motor vehicles.
The lawsuit alleges Lowes and AGG were negligent with the cause of Jarolimek’s death by details such as; failing to yield to a bicyclist in a bike lane; failing to maintain proper control of the vehicle; that the truck had a poorly attached passenger side mirror and a partially obscured windshield; excessive driver work hours and allowing Lowes to operate said vehicle while taking the prescription anti-anxiety medication BuSpar (known for causing drowsiness).
The lawsuit also faults AGG for hiring Lowes in the first place because he had “numerous motor vehicle violation convictions, driver’s license suspensions and revocations.” In the lawsuit, Lowes is reported to have been convicted for felony possession of a controlled substance, caused another accident in 2005 while driving an AGG truck, and was improperly screened by AGG before hiring.
The family of the fallen cyclist is suing AGG and Lowes for $1.5 million in Multnomah County Circuit Court. WWire was not able to reach Jarolimek’s family for comment, and calls to attorneys were not returned.
- Family Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit, Mourns Loss of Jordan Case A group o
- City Settles Wrongful-Death Lawsuit for Police Shooting The City
- JUICY SUITS: Cyclist Sues for Opened Car Door Here
- Widow of Cyclist Pushes Stiffer Penalties for Drivers Who Kill An Oregon
- Family of James Chasse files suit The famil
Tags: bicycling
Folks, just like when you see someone in that crazy camo uniform and you give them the Love sign in sign-language, try to give people on bicycles the same consideration. They’re warriors in the Peace on the Ozone campaign, which is another way of expressing the American spirit. Sure, they wear Spandex and dress funny and don’t talk on cell phones (unless they’re suicidal), but… share the road with them.
This summer, I’m gonna sell my little pickup and buy a goddam electric bike. Do thou likewise, or not.
Somebody got to do something… too many cyclists falling… too many drivers drive with eyes closed …
too many freaks on bikes that think cars are evil and think they have more rights than vehicles, there lies the problem. I see every day the abuses by these people, the infractions are too numerous to list. It seems to me they would a bit more inteligent when it comes to ignoring a 2,000# vehicle. You dont see motorcycles pulling the crap the bicycle riders do.
Cars ARE evil but that is beside the point. Bicyclist are give a little sliver of the road and can’t move as fast as cars so they can’t get out of the way like motorcycles can. A good friend was hit last week. Clipped in the back as she was trying to get the car to see her and petal faster at the same time. Bicyclist should be treated like pedestrians and always have the right way. When i drive this is the way I treat bikers and pedestrians because they are the ones who are the most vulnerable. Daily I my little sliver of road that I am given gets parked, swerved in or cut through by cars each time that happens I need to move myself and my bike somewhere fast. Most serious biker have lost patience with not being seen and being treated so disrespectfully so they don’t care anymore. If you want to see bikers be more respectful try being respectful to them first. Almost Every single time I have stopped for a biker or given a biker the right away they have waved or somehow shown gratitude. All I am saying is maybe bikers aren’t the problem. AHoles that have never ridden a bike but feel inclined to say that someone who is probably an upstanding member of the bike community was probably the reason for his own death is no worse than a murder.