Cyclist hit and dragged by SUV in Bridgeport

On Monday afternoon, Scott Jacobson was cycling home after dropping his two boys off at wrestling practice.  He was struck by a SUV near 35th and Lowe, and was dragged hundreds of feet.  Fortunately, there is a fire station at that location, and he quickly was rushed to Stroger Hospital in critical condition.

Scott survived, but he is badly injured, in a great deal of pain, and at the beginning of a long (6+ month) recovery.  This obviously will be a great hardship on Scott, his wife, and their 3 children.  A GoFundMe page was set up to help them:

https://www.gofundme.com/22ps5yny

(Warning:  If you scroll down the GoFundMe page, you will find pictures of his injuries.)

I have known Scott for years.  He is extremely generous to those in need and never asks for anything in return.  Please take this opportunity to help his family, and share the GoFundMe page widely.  Thanks.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Yasmeen on May 5, 2016 at 5:52am

I'm so sorry this happened to your friend. Thanks for sharing the Go Fund Me page and his story - I will post to Facebook and Twitter tomorrow. 

Permalink Reply by Andrew Bedno on May 6, 2016 at 7:37am

Fucking cars.  Can't be trusted as far as you can thrown 'em.

Hit the cyclist while making a U-turn, with a revoked license, and uninsured, then tried to flee.  So they gave him a few misdemeanor tickets and a court date >:(

http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/bicyclist-struck-by-suv-critically...

Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on May 6, 2016 at 12:07pm

The citations that were issued were not even for misdemeanors.  They were for minor traffic violations.  Minor traffic violations are only punishable by fines.  Misdemeanors are criminal charges that are punishable by up to 364 days in jail and higher fines. 

Permalink Reply by V W on May 7, 2016 at 2:22am
They should charge the driver with attempted murder. All of what they charged him with would've made sense if the incident stopped before the dragging. The driver had to know that the cyclist was under his car, with the screaming and all. Had the cyclist been a police officer, I somehow doubt the driver would've only been cited for these traffic violations.
Permalink Reply by Peter Kuehnel on May 12, 2016 at 9:19am

Actually, the first three charges ARE for misdemeanors, and ARE punishable by jail time, and WILL remain on his criminal record if convicted.

Permalink Reply by Maurice on May 6, 2016 at 10:26am

Thanks to those who have contributed.  Please continue to share the GoFundMe page.  We raised over $20,000 in the first 24 hours!

Rumor is that the charges might get upgraded next week.  Fleeing the scene is shitty, but it's substantially worse when you're simultaneously dragging the victim down the street. 

In addition, at least 3 pedestrians were hit by cars in Bridgeport this week.  It would be nice to send a message that hospitalizing people with your car isn't a minor traffic offense.

Permalink Reply by Maurice on May 6, 2016 at 6:05pm
Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on May 11, 2016 at 6:19am
https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20160511/bridgeport/police-recount-...

Updated info on what (allegedly) happened in this incident.

Police say: 'Driver' who hit cyclist 'on purpose' should face tougher charges.
Permalink Reply by Yasmeen on May 11, 2016 at 6:29am

"are hoping to upgrade those charges."

Hoping? Ugh. I don't understand how the charges weren't tougher in the first place. 

http://chi.streetsblog.org/2016/05/10/wife-of-cyclist-dragged-in-br...

Permalink Reply by Jim Reho on May 11, 2016 at 10:06am

A lot of times, it's hard to tell at first how a collision happened.  I would imagine that the police wanted to talk to the non-involved witnesses before bringing more serious charges.  Nothing wrong with that.  Word on the street is that there are such witnesses, who say in no uncertain terms that the driver made his U-turn with the express intent of hitting the cyclist.  That being the case, I'm pretty darn sure we will be hearing about some heavier additional charges soon.  As they say, the wheels of justice turn slowly, but grind exceedingly fine.  Of course, in Chicago the wheels of justice sometimes spin in reverse, too.  Not this time, though, I don't think.  The driver of the SUV does not appear to have the kind of political or social connections that promote favorite-son treatment by the judicial system.        

Permalink Reply by Barry Niel Stuart on May 12, 2016 at 12:30pm

Does Scott have legal representation?  I know there are scads of lawyers in Milwaukee who advertise for personal injury cases.  I don't know if Illinois restricts lawyer advertising, but I believe that there should be plenty of lawyers in Chicago that would jump at taking a case like Scott's.  My prayers are with him for healing and I hope he can get a good attorney to get him a fair settlement or judgement.

Permalink Reply by Peter Kuehnel on May 12, 2016 at 1:00pm

Just an FYI to pass on to Scott, if he has his own auto insurance that includes uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, he can make a claim against his own insurance for his damages sustained at the hands of said driver.

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