Driver With History of DUI Crashes into Arizona Back Race
Police have identified a man accused of driving his pickup truck into a group of bicyclists participating in a weekend race in Show Low, Arizona northeast of Phoenix.
Driver Barrels into Bicycle Race, Flees the Scene
KXAN reports several riders were critically injured when 35-year-old Shawn Michael Chock crashed into bicyclists participating in the annual 58-mile Bike the Bluff in the mountain town of Show Low at around 7:30 a.m. Saturday, June 19.
Chock fled the scene and was shot by police as they chased him.
Chock was hospitalized in stable condition, and police are unsure if the crash was accidental or if there was motive for the crash. Witnesses reported that Chocks vehicle seemed to speed toward the cyclists.
Prosecutors are working with police investigators on the case.
Records from Maricopa County suggest Chock has a history of arrests, both for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol and assault. In 2007, Chock was indicted for aggravated assault and several months later he was charged with disorderly conduct with a weapon to which he pleaded guilty to a reduced charge.
In 2010, three DUI-related, including having a third DUI, were dropped as part of a plea agreement in which Chock pleaded guilty to felony aggravated and shoplifting.
In a June 2020 post on Facebook, Chock wrote that he was only weeks away from being 30 months sober.
What Legal Rights Are Guaranteed to Bicyclists?
Because bicycles aren’t motorized, motorists can forget that bicyclists have just as much right to be on the road as any other vehicle. Failure to recognize this fact often leaves bicyclists at an increased risk of accident and motorists trying to blame bicyclists for any crashes that occur.
Briefly, these are some of the rights cyclists have while traveling on roadways:
- Cyclists may ride in the road traveling the same direction as traffic, though they should stay as far right as possible.
- Cars MUST yield to a bicycle that has the right-of-way, just as they would to a motorized vehicle.
- Cyclists should ride near the curb, but some state laws do allow cyclists to take up an entire lane of traffic when it is safer to do so.
- Cyclists can ride two abreast as long as they don’t slow or hinder traffic.
- Cyclists can take up the entire lane when the lane is too narrow for a car to pass the rider at a safe distance (generally estimated to be less than 14 feet across without a bike lane).
Contact an Experienced Bicycle Accident Attorney
If you or a loved one have been injured in a bicycle accident involving a motor vehicle, contact Thomas J. Henry. Our experienced automobile and bicycle injury lawyers have handled a multitude of accident cases and have achieved record-breaking, real results for injured clients. We ensure that you are in the best position possible to achieve the maximum amount of compensation for your case. You can recover compensation for medical expenses, your pain and suffering, and lost wages from missing work. Our injury attorneys are available 24/7, nights and weekends to evaluate your claim. Contact us today for a free case review.
