The Chainlink

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 dan brown on March 12, 2013 at 11:29am

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 12:06pm

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 12:39pm

thanks Juan. wow - that is really great news.

Permalink Reply by David Barish on March 12, 2013 at 1:44pm

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 2:27pm

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 2:36pm

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.

Permalink Reply by OLB 0.1 on March 12, 2013 at 3:12pm

At least for now, it is useful to know that the fund has not yet reached the $10K goal. Thanks for bumping this thread, it reminded me that I had been waiting to make a donation. Contribution made.

I think at a minimum we can use the thread to provide him and his family with further encouragement.

Permalink Reply by David Barish on March 12, 2013 at 3:16pm

I really did not intend to offend.  Whether Dustin and Mike are successful with any claim in the future is frankly none of our business. That is up to them. However, it is certainly a possibility. If we care about Dustin we should not do anything that would harm his position or be disadvantageous for him.  Or, to put it another way, we can simply respect his privacy when it comes to public discussions of his health.

I suspect the possibility of reducing a horrible injury to monetary compensation may have had some impact in raising your bile. I understand. However, that is a reality and is frankly a much more  humane "pound of flesh" when seeking to redress the actions of another.  Money is crass but will do more for an injured person than watching somebody rot in jail.  What we cannot do is roll back the clock and make this event have  never happened. I wish we could.

Apie 10.64 said:

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.

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