Chris Bucchere, the cyclist who struck a pedestrian in a Castro crosswalk then might have posted about it online, could end up facing felony charges for his part in the the pedestrian’s death.
Bucchere, reportedly “an entrepreneur, software developer and founder + CEO of Social Collective, Inc.” (his blog, website, and numerous social networking accounts have apparently been deleted since the accident) allegedly struck 71-year-old Sutchi Hui at Market and Castro streets shortly before 8:10 a.m. on March 29.
The Chron notes that both Hui and his wife were walking east in the crosswalk at the time of the collision. Hui died on Tuesday, April 2 in the hospital.
Witnesses reported that Bucchere, who was traveling south on Castro Street, might have run a red light before striking Hui, according to police. The Chron’s Matier and Ross concur, saying that a motorist told police that Bucchere and another cyclist blew through several red lights and stop signs shortly before the crash with Hui.
Bucchere’s lawyer, Ted Cassman (of what M&R describe as the “top-flight law firm of Arguedas, Cassman & Headley“) said Bucchere, is “devastated by the accident.”
“Chris believes he entered the intersection lawfully and that he did everything possible to avoid the accident,” said Cassman. “His heart goes out to Mr. Hui’s wife and family for their loss.”
Though Cassman notes that Bucchere was also injured in the accident, on the day of the collision, someone using the name Chris Bucchere posted a message about the accident on an online forum for Mission Cycling, a local cycling group.
“The light turned yellow as I was approaching the intersection, but I was already way too committed to stop,” the post stated.
“The light turned red as I was cruising through the middle of the intersection and then, almost instantly, the southern crosswalk on Market and Castro filled up with people coming from both directions,” it continued.
“I really hope [Hui] ends up OK,” he wrote.
However, he wrote that the moral of the story of his collision was the importance of wearing a helmet, eliciting critical comments from other members of the forum.
The posts on the forum have since been hidden from public view.
Following reports about Bucchere’s online comments, San Francisco Bicycle Coalition officials released a statement saying that they were “deeply troubled” by the account of the incident.
Leah Shahum, the coalition’s executive director, said the growing number of people riding bicycles in San Francisco “must follow the rules of the road.”
“As advocates working for safer streets, we condemn reckless behavior–whether on a bicycle or in a car,” Shahum said. “Those who put others in danger should be held accountable for their actions.”
Mission Cycling also posted a statement Thursday on its website, noting that Bucchere is not a member of the group and was riding alone at the time of the crash.
“We were shocked to learn not only that this accident occurred but also by the rider’s response to it in the post,” the statement said. “His reckless riding on that day is completely antithetical to the way we go about our sport.”
The district attorney’s office is aware of the forum posts and is working with police on the investigation, according to spokeswoman Stephanie Ong Stillman.
“We take pedestrian traffic fatalities very seriously,” Stillman said. “There are many witnesses who have come forward, so there is a lot of evidence that we still need to review.”
The medical examiner’s office has not yet determined the cause of Hui’s death and no charges have been filed against Bucchere pending the outcome of an investigation, according to police and prosecutors.
According to M&R, if the motorist’s report to police saying Bucchere was riding recklessly that day is verified, it could be used to demonstrate gross negligence, and to increase what might have been prosecuted as a misdemeanor (as in the case of the death of Dionette “Didi” Cherney) to felony charges.
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