In March of 2010 a dump truck driver in Phoenix Arizona plowed into the back of a group of motorcyclists stopped at an intersection. 4 of the riders were killed. 6 others were injured. Lucky, a blogger in Phoenix, posted about it here. Depending upon your view of justice, it was served in November of 2012.
According to the AMA, the driver has been sentenced to 26 years in prison. Michael Jakscht was sentenced on November 26, 2012 after being convicted on several counts in a crash at a Phoenix stoplight in 2010. Following a trial in the summer of 2012, he was found guilty of four counts of manslaughter, five counts of aggrevated assault and four counts of endangerment. Jakscht was allegedly under the influence of methamphetamine when he plowed into a group of motorcyclists stopped at a traffic signal.
The sentence does nothing to make up for the lives ended, the pain of loss, and the agony of injury and recovery. It is good, though, to see the driver held accountable and facing a long prison term. It seems too many drivers have faced little to no consequences for actions that resulted in severely injuring and / or killing riders.
Please be careful out there. Be vigilant. Keep your mental and physical skills sharp. It seems we need these skills more and more as time goes on. Enjoy the ride but don't let your guard down.
Dan
10 comments:
No matter what the sentence, it'll never make much a difference to those killed or maimed. Personal accountability and responsibility has seemed to fall by the wayside over the last couple of generations. There are tons of opinions on why and this probably isn't a good venue for that discussion...
BTW, it's good to see you back online. Things were pretty hectic last month when I was in your area.
Thanks for posting the information. So many times the tragedy comes up, but we never learn of the outcome. Sad all the way around...
Dan:
good to hear that the Driver was held accountable but up here penalties are non-existent. Our Judges are too lenient.
so sorry for their families . . .
bob
Riding the Wet Coast
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If that was in New Zealand, they would of lost there license for 12 months and been sentenced to 2 years jail.....I joke not!~
Richard,
I totally agree on the decline of accountability. I was talking to a long time police officer the other day who expressed the same sentiment. Even the local DA says everybody wants to blame everything but themselves.
Thanks for the welcome back message. It's good to be here.
Take care,
Dan
BeemerGirl,
I noticed the same thing. It's amazing how the actions of one person can affect so many lives.
That's why I'm trying to use my powers for good!
Take care,
Dan
Bobskoot,
I saw something recently about an illegal immigrant in California with no drivers license. He seriously injured a motorcyclist. No penalties at all!!! No deportation. I guess politicians are running away from anything that hurts their chances of re-election.
Sigh.......
Take care,
Dan
Roger,
Just another example of a messed up system, isn't it? As you can see, NZ isn't unique.
How is the training career going for you?
Take care,
Dan
We just had a case in Victoria where a fellow was killed on Canada Day, by a woman with previous drug and alcohol offenses and was prohibited from driving at the time. Quite plainly put she murdered him, she was under the influence of coccaine and drugs and she ran into him head on. She was placed in rehab by the court until her sentencing and the judge gave her 1 day in jail and 3 years probation and driving prohibition and she has to attend a treatment program. She did not serve the 1 day in jail and was let out after an hour. Terrible injustice. The prosecutors office is appealling the case and hopefully she will get a stronger sentence. This was abysmal and with her previous record I have no idea what the heck the judge was thinking, a family has lost a husband/father/son because of her reckless disregard for life. Sometimes JUSTICE IS NOT SERVED.
I'm glad he got some sort of punishment. Isn't it sad that we're surprised when the right thing happens? :(
I know of a motorcyclist who was murdered by a DUI driver, & she got 1 year of work-release in the county jail, some fines, and has to pay half the college cost for the man's son.
Not justice.
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