Two Years for a Lifetime of Disability, Pain, and Expense

[coskigirl]

I have followed this story and Bernie’s social media since this assault happened. I drive by the accident scene frequently. I have ridden the exact section of road. I’ve had private conversation with him. He has been an inspiration and a source of laughs. Yesterday, his assailant was finally sentenced. I wish it were more but at least it’s something.

The Driver Who Hit a Former 'Bicycling' Editor Pleads Guilty and Gets 2 Years in Prison

Andrew Bernstein, who was struck and left on the side of the road, addressed the court with a statement on how the crash has impacted him.

www.bicycling.com

 

[scott43]

This is a really telling statement and I fully agree.

I feel strongly that the only fitting punishment would be for him to bear full financial responsibility for the harm he caused, and to never again operate a motor vehicle. But in this country we give such priority to cars and their drivers that punishment of that nature is deemed so severe as to be almost unthinkable, even in consideration of the grave injuries I will now live with,” Bernstein said, noting that while he agrees the punishment is warranted, it’s far from adequate.

 

[Andy Mink]

I have followed this story and Bernie’s social media since this assault happened. I drive by the accident scene frequently. I have ridden the exact section of road. I’ve had private conversation with him. He has been an inspiration and a source of laughs. Yesterday, his assailant was finally sentenced. I wish it were more but at least it’s something.

The Driver Who Hit a Former 'Bicycling' Editor Pleads Guilty and Gets 2 Years in Prison

Andrew Bernstein, who was struck and left on the side of the road, addressed the court with a statement on how the crash has impacted him.

www.bicycling.com

Two years certainly seems like not much.

 

[Shawn]

I'm glad this guy was caught, prosecuted, and punished. Two years in prison, however, is appropriate. There's a limit to the context I can give this comment without getting into politics, criminal justice research, and law— a direction I'm sure the mods wouldn't appreciate. So for now I'll say that while nothing can make the victim whole again, justice was certainly served here.

 

[Andy Mink]

a direction I'm sure the mods wouldn't appreciate

Seriously, thank you!

 

[Nancy Hummel]

Wow. A very thoughtful and well worded statement.

 

[coskigirl]

I'm glad this guy was caught, prosecuted, and punished. Two years in prison, however, is appropriate. There's a limit to the context I can give this comment without getting into politics, criminal justice research, and law— a direction I'm sure the mods wouldn't appreciate. So for now I'll say that while nothing can make the victim whole again, justice was certainly served here.

I think I know where you’d go. It’s a subject matter I’ve really struggled with since starting law school but I agree, here is not the place. It mentions restitution but isn’t specific. I wish that a portion of his wages would be garnished for the rest of Bernie’s life to assist Bernie with the financial implications.

Wow. A very thoughtful and well worded statement.

He is a really a great writer. I believe he currently works for Wahoo. I suggest following his social media.

 

[Wasatchman]

I'm glad this guy was caught, prosecuted, and punished. Two years in prison, however, is appropriate. There's a limit to the context I can give this comment without getting into politics, criminal justice research, and law— a direction I'm sure the mods wouldn't appreciate. So for now I'll say that while nothing can make the victim whole again, justice was certainly served here.

Two years is appropriate??!! Damn, I wish you could expand on your logic. That doesn't seem even remotely fair to me. Two years might have been consistent with our justice system, but it is certainly not fair to me.

 

[Tricia]

What a crazy story. The idea that it took over a year to press charges, and nearly another year to make an arrest is crazy.
Two years to make an arrest and two years plead out....
Just crazy.

I sincerely hope that Andrew Bernstein finds some financial relief.

 

[coskigirl]

Yeah, I’d really like to understand the delay between warrant and arrest. I know it took a long time to figure our who did it though.

 

[Jwrags]

Yeah, I’d really like to understand the delay between warrant and arrest. I know it took a long time to figure our who did it though.

I was wondering when I read the article how they figured out who the identity of the culprit.

 

[Jenny]

I wish that a portion of his wages would be garnished for the rest of Bernie’s life to assist Bernie with the financial implications.

I like this idea - could be used in many different instances.

 

[Tricia]

I was wondering when I read the article how they figured out who the identity of the culprit.

Honestly, I think its because he talked, though that is my own speculation.
A really close friend of mine was murdered back in 1981 (I was 14 at the time). The detective working on her case said that the #1 reason they usually catch criminals is because they usually can't help but tell someone what they did.
In this case, he may have felt guilty enough that he needed to get it off his chest, but not guilty enough to turn himself in.

From the story -
As reported by the Daily Camera, Grattan’s attorney claimed his client did not realize he had hit someone. But in the police affidavit, an associate reported that Grattan had confessed to her, “I think I hit the guy” and that it was “just a little tap”—and that he also knew Bernstein was in the hospital.

 

[François Pugh]

I'm interested in details of the incident that led to the charges.

 

[Jwrags]

I'm interested in details of the incident that led to the charges.

It seems as if what really got him in trouble was leaving the scene. Had he stopped and rendered aid and called for help I suspect he would be serving no time in jail, unless he was impaired.

 

[François Pugh]

It seems as if what really got him in trouble was leaving the scene. Had he stopped and rendered aid and called for help I suspect he would be serving no time in jail, unless he was impaired.

And how many years would he be looking at if that were the case (found guilty of drunk driving causing bodily harm)?

 

[SBrown]

Honestly, I think its because he talked, though that is my own speculation.
A really close friend of mine was murdered back in 1981 (I was 14 at the time). The detective working on her case said that the #1 reason they usually catch criminals is because they usually can't help but tell someone what they did.
In this case, he may have felt guilty enough that he needed to get it off his chest, but not guilty enough to turn himself in.

From the story -
As reported by the Daily Camera, Grattan’s attorney claimed his client did not realize he had hit someone. But in the police affidavit, an associate reported that Grattan had confessed to her, “I think I hit the guy” and that it was “just a little tap”—and that he also knew Bernstein was in the hospital.

I was reading another article that said they id'd and found the van that he was in, and it was registered to him, etc. I guess I would have to go back and read details, but I still didn't understand what took so long.

edit: https://www.thedenverchannel.com/ne...ng-boulder-county-cyclist-and-then-taking-off

Admittedly, 2020 was a bit of a year, so I can understand some delays.

 

[coskigirl]

I was wondering when I read the article how they figured out who the identity of the culprit.

Here’s an article that gives a bit more detail.

Andrew Bernstein says suspected driver in Boulder hit-and-run case could take plea deal

The suspected driver in the hit-and-run that injured Boulder bicyclist Andrew “Bernie” Bernstein in 2019 could take a plea deal in his case Friday, according to Bernstein.

www.dailycamera.com

 

[scott43]

Honestly, I think its because he talked, though that is my own speculation.
A really close friend of mine was murdered back in 1981 (I was 14 at the time). The detective working on her case said that the #1 reason they usually catch criminals is because they usually can't help but tell someone what they did.
In this case, he may have felt guilty enough that he needed to get it off his chest, but not guilty enough to turn himself in.

From the story -
As reported by the Daily Camera, Grattan’s attorney claimed his client did not realize he had hit someone. But in the police affidavit, an associate reported that Grattan had confessed to her, “I think I hit the guy” and that it was “just a little tap”—and that he also knew Bernstein was in the hospital.

This is totally true. I was talking with a couple of my buddies who are cops and they said, if you want to kill someone and don't want to get caught, just don't talk! It's not CSI! Just shut up! And even if you get arrested, don't tell anyone you did it. Get a lawyer! They said many people even straight up confess to police. They just don't get it.

I'm not condoning this by the way..this is just the human behaviour they observe.

 

[Jwrags]

Here’s an article that gives a bit more detail.

Andrew Bernstein says suspected driver in Boulder hit-and-run case could take plea deal

The suspected driver in the hit-and-run that injured Boulder bicyclist Andrew “Bernie” Bernstein in 2019 could take a plea deal in his case Friday, according to Bernstein.

www.dailycamera.com

Very good investigating finding the van on video footage from different places. However, it seems the wheels of justice turn very slowly from how long it took to charge him after they found the van and identified the owner.