Complaint against motorist charged in bike crash

Here's a copy of the complaint filed by Los Angeles County D.A. Steve Cooley against Christopher Thomas Thompson, who allegedly drove in front of two cyclists and slammed on his brakes on July 4 in Mandeville Canyon. Also, my colleague Joanna Lin has filed a full story on the charges.

FELONY COMPLAINT
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
FOR THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA,

Plaintiff,

v.

01 CHRISTOPHER THOMAS THOMPSON (07/11/1949)

Defendant(s).

CASE NO. SA068297

FELONY COMPLAINT

The undersigned is informed and believes that:

COUNT 1

On or about July 4, 2008, in the County of Los Angeles, the crime of RECKLESS DRIVING CAUSING SPECIFIED INJURY, in violation of VEHICLE CODE SECTION 23105(a), a Felony, was committed by CHRISTOPHER THOMAS THOMPSON, who did unlawfully drive a vehicle upon a highway in willful and wanton disregard for the safety of persons and property and did proximately cause bodily injury, to wit: a bone fracture to RONALD PETERSON, another person.

* * * * *

COUNT 2

On or about July 4, 2008, in the County of Los Angeles, the crime of RECKLESS DRIVING CAUSING SPECIFIED INJURY, in violation of VEHICLE CODE SECTION 23105(a), a Felony, was committed by CHRISTOPHER THOMAS THOMPSON, who did unlawfully drive a vehicle upon a highway in willful and wanton disregard for the safety of persons and property and did proximately cause bodily injury, to wit: a protracted loss or impairment of function of a bodily member or organ to CHRISTIAN STOEHR, another person.

It is further alleged as to count(s) 1 and 2 that in the commission of the above offense the said defendant(s), CHRISTOPHER THOMAS THOMPSON, personally inflicted great bodily injury upon Ronald Peterson and Christian Stoehr, not an accomplice to the above offense, within the meaning of Penal Code Section 12022.7(a) and also causing the above offense to become a serious felony within the meaning of Penal Code Section 1192.7(c)(8).

* * * * *

COUNT 3

On or about July 4, 2008, in the County of Los Angeles, the crime of BATTERY WITH SERIOUS BODILY INJURY, in violation of PENAL CODE SECTION 243(d), a Felony, was committed by CHRISTOPHER THOMAS THOMPSON, who did willfully and unlawfully use force and violence upon the person of RONALD PETERSON, resulting in the infliction of serious bodily injury on such person.
"NOTICE: The above offense is a serious felony within the meaning of Penal Code section 1192.7(c)."

* * * * *

COUNT 4

On or about July 4, 2008, in the County of Los Angeles, the crime of BATTERY WITH SERIOUS BODILY INJURY, in violation of PENAL CODE SECTION 243(d), a Felony, was committed by CHRISTOPHER THOMAS THOMPSON, who did willfully and unlawfully use force and violence upon the person of CHRISTIAN STOEHR, resulting in the infliction of serious bodily injury on such person.
"NOTICE: The above offense is a serious felony within the meaning of Penal Code section 1192.7(c)."

* * * * *

NOTICE: Conviction of this offense will require the defendant to provide DNA samples and print impressions pursuant to Penal Code sections 296 and 296.1. Willful refusal to provide the samples and impressions is a crime.

NOTICE: The People of the State of California intend to present evidence and seek jury findings regarding all applicable circumstances in aggravation, pursuant to Penal Code section 1170(b) and Cunningham v. California 2007 U.S. LEXIS 1324.

I DECLARE UNDER PENALTY OF PERJURY THAT THE FOREGOING IS TRUE AND CORRECT AND THAT THIS COMPLAINT, CASE NUMBER SA068297, CONSISTS OF 4 COUNT(S).

Executed at LOS ANGELES, County of Los Angeles, on July 11, 2008.

Comments

[Eric B.]

I am not a terribly angry person in general and I rarely ever wish ill will on anyone... but when it comes to stuff like this I get quite livid.

If this man gets away with just a slap on the wrist I hope that the cyclists, once recovered, hunt him down and beat him to a bloody pulp.

Earth does not need sociopaths like Christopher Thomas Thompson. Coward.

[Andre]

As a frequent cyclist, I try to ride to work twice a week to save on gas. It's a short ride (>2 miles) but every day I'm nearly hit by passing cars because there's no bike lane -- it's almost like LA wants to keep you IN your car. It's easier that way.

I'm half inclined to grab a can of white spray paint and CREATE bike lanes -- guerrilla style.

[Cathy]

Life is so precious, as is your health, and people who walk, jog, and bike generally have a great appreciation for life and health. It only takes a fraction of a second for someone to make a mistake, have a memory lapse, a moment of anger. Drivers can walk away from an auto accident that would kill a pedestrian or bicyclist.
The only way to ensure the safety of these people who are saving us from traffic jams, pollution, dependence on foreign oil, etc. is to give them a separate space. You cannot "share the road" with huge metal objects going 40+mph.We must demand bike paths free from cars and trucks, and thereby also protect pedestrians using
the sidewalks. West Hollywood is now allowing cyclists to ride on the sidewalks. Believe it or not, there are a lot of pedestrians on Fairfax and Santa Monica Blvd. Not only that, there are a number of retirement homes on Fairfax. You have people with canes, walkers, wheelchairs, some with impaired hearing and/or sight, competing with bikes.
Just this week I was walking up the hill on Fairfax past a retirement home with my cloth bags full of groceries from Whole Foods when a man and a woman on bikes were coming down the hill on the narrow sidewalk. I had to jump out of the way. The man said sarcastically as he went by, "Yeah, you have a nice day, too," as he could see I was less than pleased with nearly getting killed. Here are two groups of people getting pitted against each other who should be working together for bikeways and walkways.
It is interesting that Tom LaBonge likes bikes. I sent a letter to his office about a year ago suggesting that Nichols Canyon be closed to all but local residents on Sunday mornings. Nichols Canyon, like Mandeville Canyon is used by a local bike club for Sunday morning rides. It is also popular with runners and hikers. If this seems far-fetched, remember that Hollywood and Highland and parts of Santa Monica Blvd. in WeHo are closed down often for parties, movies, parades, so
much so that they should be turned into pedestrian malls .

[Adam Rakunas]

I hope every cyclist in the city rides to the courthouse for the arraignment. Your canyon - everyone's streets.

[Alp D'Huez]

As a three time recipient of accidents while riding vs car.
Two times where hit and runs. I am happy to see the community,
the courts and the law in a cyclist favor.
It has only taken a generation to act.
Why didn't Rocky (prosecutor) have a case the first time?
Why does it take a bodily injury to show malice in this man's opinion!
Will the (great) doctor, and his oath to help and save the sick also lose his liscense to practice medicine! And he should lose his medical license as well!
Then go after a civil and liable case.....Best of luck to
CHRISTIAN STOEHR, hope you heal well....

Fellow LA road racer...

[Bob]

I totally agree with Al, everything he said. If more motorists and riders had his attitude, then there would be a lot less problems.

Unfortunately, there are inconsiderate riders who make a game of blocking the roads, and even more psycho drivers who will punish riders for it.

[Al Morinaka]

As a three times a week rider, it is great to see that felony charges have been made against this driver. He had also ran two other cyclists off the road in March.

To all the other drivers that share the busy streets that we all pay for and are entitled to ride, please give bicyclists a little room and or time to get to an open passing area. Your lost three minutes could have save us from six months in the hospital or worse.

As a cyclist, I promise not to ride in the middle of the lane unless I have to. I will wave you around if there is room. And I always say thank you if you give me the courtesy of crossing in front of you, even if you don't hear me. Thank you and see you out on our roads.

[David]

There are some real nutcases out there behind the wheel. I hope this guy does some serious jail time for trying to kill those two cyclists.