Personal Injury Law

Arthur Newman Faces A Year In Jail If Charged With Death Of Bicyclist Walter Joller

By Ross Jurewitz

Arthur Newman has been charged with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter for causing a San Diego bicycle accident back in January when his car ran into Water Joller, an experienced Rancho Bernardo bicyclist. According to a Gina Coburn, a spokeswoman for the San Diego City Attorney's Office, the 55-year-old Newman faces a year in San Diego County jail if he is found guilty. You can read more in this North County Times story.

San Diego police Detective John Leterrie said that on January 6, Newman was driving a black BMW on Sabre Springs Parkway when he veered into the bicycle lane and hit Joller, 55. The bicyclist was thrown from his bicycle and San Diego medics were not able to save him.

Newman did wait at the scene and after a crash reconstruction was only accused of simple negligence instead of gross negligence. Simple negligence means that he was not found to have been distracted nor under the influence. Newman may have just briefly taken his eyes off the road. Felony vehicle manslaughter is charged when the driver is acting in an obviously risky way.

Newman is expected to appear in San Diego Superior Court for arraignment of April 24. He has also been charged with driving in a bicycle lane.

The fact that Newman waited at the scene and took responsibility is something to be admired given that he had gravely injured Joller. Also, it should be taken into account and credit should be given to Newman for not acting irresponsibly while driving. However, a 55-year-old bicyclist was killed because of Newman's brief carelessness, and so, Newman should face some sort of punishment.

If you or someone you know from the San Diego bicycling community has been injured or killed in a bicycle accident please contact the San Diego bicycle attorneys at the Jurewitz Law Group at 619-233-5020 or contact them online here.

Full post as published by San Diego Injury Lawyer Blog on March 17, 2009 (boomark / email).