The irony is as inescapable as the tragedy.
Natasha Pettigrew, Maryland’s Green Party candidate for the U.S. Senate seat occupied by Barbara Mikulski, has died from injuries sustained after being hit from behind by a Cadillac Escalade, while training on her bicycle for a triathlon. After the collision around 5:30 AM, the purported driver continued 3 or 4 miles to her home, where she claims she noticed the bicycle under the car, and called the police. She told police she thought she had hit a deer or dog.
Police initially reported that Pettigrew was not wearing reflective clothing, but other reports say that reflective plastic parts and reflective shoes belonging to the victim were found at the scene. Most bikes are sold with plastic reflectors front, rear and on each wheel. It was very dark at 5:30 this morning. I left at 6:45 AM and lit the battery-powered red beacon on my backpack.
Update: Video at WashCycle showing the bike lodged under the SUV, and interviewing Natasha’s Mom before she died.
Once Upon A TPM 
Comments on: "Green Party candidate killed by SUV" (7)
Donal that just sucks. I hope the driver gets the book thrown at her, but probably not.
Commenters at a bike blog are theorizing that she is taking the fall for her husband, who was drunk, and had to drive home to get him out of the picture.
Even if she thought she had hit a deer or a dog, don’t you think she would’ve stopped and pulled over? She dragged a bike all the way home and didn’t once stop? I just find that to be too unbelievable. The whole thing is very tragic, either way.
Be safe out there, Donal.
It seemed a tad dark Monday morning, so I stopped at Light Street Cycles and bought a blinkie for the backpack and a headlight for the handlebars. Now I’m glad I did.
That is sad.
Whatever happened it won’t go unanswered. I believe the law requires that when a motorist strikes something, anything, they’re supposed to stop. It’s way off the charts that a motorist doesn’t notice striking a cyclist. And then drags a bike under the car for three miles. There is something very wrong here.
Yes, exactly. They are supposed to stop and at least call 911 if they know they’ve hit something but it’s dark out and they’re afraid to get out of the car to investigate.