October 2007 will always be remembered as a tragic time for our community. Fatal collisions took the lives of Brett Jarolimek and Tracey Sparling, and Bob Verrinder was critically injured from a collision with a car on Marine Drive.
The articles below chronicle those crashes and the resulting aftermath.
Deputy DA Chuck Sparks speaking with a reporter at the Courthouse this morning.(Photo © Jonathan Maus) This morning, Multnomah County Senior Deputy District Attorney Chuck Sparks (in photo) released his report on the case of Brett Jarolimek, who died on October 22 after colliding with a garbage truck on Interstate and Greeley. After an in-depth … Read more
Download the DA’s memo. (PDF, 520K) I just spoke with Multnomah County District Attorney Chuck Sparks. Sparks has completed his investigation into the collision that took the life of Tracey Sparling at W. Burnside and 14th in downtown Portland on October 11. Sparks said he will not file any criminal charges in the case. Here … Read more
An image of Brett Jarolimek may soon replace the silhouette on the left and become part of the official logo for the Oregon Bicycle Racing Association.
Stencil of Brett Jarolimek thatwas painted on a bridgesupport in North Portland. This morning I got a call from Mike Mason who works in the community and public affairs office at the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). Mike (who happens to be a daily reader of this site) wanted to give me some background on … Read more
[Updated: 12/7, 10:15am] This painting of the late Brett Jarolimek has been covered over by maintenance crews. I just heard from a reader that maintenance crews (from ODOT) have painted over the stencil of Brett Jarolimek that was on the underpass at the intersection of N. Interstate and Greeley. This doesn’t come as a complete … Read more
A Chris King wheelset (Mr. King is in the green shirt).(Photo © Jonathan Maus) Last week, the Bike Gallery announced the formation of a bike safety fund as a memorial to Brett Jarolimek. Barb Grover, who’s managing the fund, says donations from the community have already begun to roll in. She was particularly excited about … Read more
Today’s press conference at City Hall.(Photo: Dat Nguyen) Don’t forget to join us for the “We Are ALL Traffic” rally tomorrow (11/17). Waterfront Park – Below Hawthorne Bridge 12 Noon There are rides being led to the rally from various locations throughout the city. Here is the list:
Please consider gathering before Saturday’s rally at one of the all-too-many sites around town where people have been killed while bicycling or walking, and then riding or walking with the group to Waterfront Park. All processions will be timed to arrive at Salmon Street Springs by 11:45am. The list below also includes sites that haven’t … Read more
At the intersection of N. Interstate and Greeley.(Photo © Jonathan Maus) Nearly a month passed since we lost Brett Jarolimek, but signs of his life and actions spurred by his passing continue. The Bike Gallery (where Brett worked) has established a memorial fund in his honor. The fund will, “support the cause of bicycle safety … Read more
Signs like this have been placed on the hill approaching the intersection.(Photos © Jonathan Maus) The closure consists of these two barricades. Calling the intersection, “inherently dangerous” City Commissioner of Transportation Sam Adams had PDOT crews close the right-turn section of N. Greeley Avenue that has claimed two victims in as many weeks.
[*Updated 3:17pm] Bob Verrinder remains in serious condition.(Photo courtesy of Bob’s friends) On Thursday, October 18, Bob Verrinder was seriously injured when he and a motor vehicle collided on NE Marine Drive. Unfortunately, because a separate tragic event occurred the following Monday, I have been unable to follow-up on this story. First, I want to … Read more
We wore race number 800 in honor of Brett Jarolimek.(Photo © Jonathan Maus) Wearing white t-shirts emblazoned with the words “No Blind Spots”, Cross Crusade founder Rick Potestio and race director Brad Ross said losing Brett Jarolimek was like losing “a member of the Cross Crusade family.” Also speaking before a memorial lap was Bike … Read more