Bicyclist's Hit-and-Run Video Leads to Arrest
A bicyclist's hit-and-run video has led to the suspected driver's arrest.
Michael Patrick Medaglia, 42, of Oakland was arrested last week in connection with a Berkeley, Calif. hit-and-run video posted on YouTube. The video was recorded with a mounted bike cam by "Bruno," one of the cyclists. It shows a black car drifting into the bicycle lane and clipping Bruno and another bicyclist. The car then speeds off.
Medaglia, the car's owner, has been booked on suspicion of felony hit and run. But that might not be the end of his legal troubles.
If Medaglia was responsible for the crash, he could be subject to a civil lawsuit from the two bicyclists. And from the looks of the video, he likely wouldn't have much of defense (jump to 3:00 for the crash):
It seems pretty clear that both cyclists are in the bike lane when Medaglia's car barges in and knocks the two over.
Generally, the only viable defense in these cases is comparative negligence. Meaning that the injured parties acted in some way to bring about their harm.
Problem here is that both cyclists appear to be following traffic laws up until they're hit.
Though neither was seriously injured, they could still recover for any property damage, medical bills, and possibly emotional distress.
Medaglia reported his car stolen following the hit-and-run incident. Police located his vehicle and then arrested Medaglia. He's also been charged for possession of heroin and violating his probation. The latter charge stemmed from a previous arrest for possessing a switchblade.
Police are still investigating the bicyclists' hit-and-run. Meanwhile the video itself continues to rack up views. At last check, it was watched over 200,000 times.
Related Resources:
- Hit-and-Run Driver Who Struck Two Cyclists is Arrested (Berkeleyside)
- Bicycle Accidents: Cyclists Must Obey Traffic Laws (FindLaw's Injured)
- Bicycle Accidents Can Be Deadly, And Costly (FindLaw's Injured)
- Leaving the Scene of an Accident/Hit and Run Laws (FindLaw)
