Cyclist doored, struck has fractured skull and 23 broken ribs but is OK; hit-and-run driver still at large

It was a perfect storm of factors that are all too common when Chicago bicyclists are injured or killed by cars. Dustin Valenta, 27, a delivery biker, yoga teacher and actor was commuting in Wicker Park when a driver opened her door on him, throwing him into traffic. As he lay in the road, another motorist stuck him and then fled the scene.

Valenta suffered a fractured skull, broken pelvis, 23 cracked ribs and a punctured lung but he miraculously survived and is currently alert and in good spirits. The question remains: why would a driver who accidentally struck someone already lying in the road not stop to give aid? Valenta's family is currently working to bring the hit-and-run motorist to justice: http://chi.streetsblog.org/2013/02/14/cyclist-doored-then-struck-hit-and-run-driver-still-at-large/

Friends have set up donation sites to help cover medical expenses for Valenta, who is uninsured, at Go Fund Me and Give Forward. Cut Cats Courier and Johnny Sprockets bike shop are organizing a benefit event for late February or early March, probably at Bangers and Lace tavern.

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Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on February 22, 2013 at 10:57am

Ah, thank you!

h' 1.0 said:

Crowd-sourcing is what Mike did when he posted the images and solicited input on the make/model of the vehicle. Or what would happen if he asked us to look out for such a vehicle via a message board post.

Would definitely want to follow specific instructions from Mike as to how to or how not to "help."

(Was really kind of directing the question at him.)

Permalink Reply by Mike Keating on February 25, 2013 at 3:53am

REMINDER: Charitable fundraiser for Dustin Valenta is today. Starts and 2pm and runs into the night with a Raffle at 9pm.

Permalink Reply by Lorena Cupcake on February 25, 2013 at 9:13am
The Tiny Fix raised $1,211 this weekend at our bake sale! Thank you so much to anyone who came out and loaded up on cookies.
 
Also, one of the girls says she just visited Dustin in the hospital and he's up and walking around.
 
I'll be at the fundraiser tonight at B&L, Tiny Fix is donating a couple of prize bags for the raffle. Come say hi if you're there too!
Permalink Reply by John Greenfield on March 1, 2013 at 12:09pm

Just got a copy of the crash report. Bizarrely, the reporting officer cited the driver who doored Dustin with failure to yield to an equestrian. CPD, stop horsing around!

http://chi.streetsblog.org/2013/03/01/driver-who-doored-valenta-cit...

Permalink Reply by John Greenfield on March 1, 2013 at 12:51pm

Dustin's lawyer says the attorney for the City of Chicago will probably correct the charges against Jeanne Quinn.

Permalink Reply by Juan Primo on March 1, 2013 at 12:51pm

That's a lot of personal information that just became public.  Reminds me to drive safer before Casa Primo becomes a national landmark!

I noticed the witness is Mark Vanecko.  Perhaps he's Mark Vanecko, the brother of Richard Vanecko who seems to have killed a suburban man while partying, and the brother of Robert Vanecko who seems to have invested City money in a really bad real estate deal.

Permalink Reply by dan brown on March 12, 2013 at 5:29am

is there an update on Dustin's current condition ?

 

(several people asked at tthe Bike Winter table during the bike swap saturday)

Permalink Reply by Juan 2-3 or more mi. on March 12, 2013 at 6:06am

Last week I heard he visited his favorite yoga studio and was walking around stretching...

dan brown 4.4 miles said:

is there an update on Dustin's current condition ?

 

(several people asked at tthe Bike Winter table during the bike swap saturday)

Permalink Reply by dan brown on March 12, 2013 at 6:39am

thanks Juan. wow - that is really great news.

Permalink Reply by David Barish on March 12, 2013 at 7:44am

I am thrilled to hear good news about Dustin.  I don't mean to be a buzz kill in that regard, but think we may want to  refrain from discussing his recovery on a public forum such as this.  I am not related to Dustin in any way. However, I am a lawyer and cannot help but think from that perspective. I think we may want to leave it for Dustin or his attorney to publicly comment on his state of being.  Forums like this are a treasure trove for defense lawyers and investigators to find things that they can take out of context. We should continue to wish him well and hunt for the mystery vehicle. I loved the forum crime scene investigation that occurred in this thread a short while ago. 

Permalink Reply by Apie (11) on March 12, 2013 at 8:27am

David, that post rubbed me the wrong way...  So we should not speak of his recovery so he could get more $$?  The thought of why you posted that makes me want to puke.

Permalink Reply by Will on March 12, 2013 at 8:36am

The idea is that defense lawyers (if there ever is a defendant driver of the white truck) could use information in this thread to obtain for their client(s) and advantageous judgement that would result in less than fair compensation for Dustin.

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