Report on fatal bicycle collision in Pittsfield Township given to prosecutors for review
Washtenaw County prosecutors are now reviewing a report on the July 28 collision in Pittsfield Township that resulted in the death of a bicyclist from Saline, authorities said.
It's routine for police to send such cases to prosecutors in a fatal collision investigation, said Gordy Schick, the township's deputy director of police services.
Tim Pincikowski, 45, was riding his bicycle north on Maple Road south of Ellsworth Road when the rear end of it was struck by the front passenger side of a 2002 Dodge Caravan traveling in the same direction, police have said.
Pincikowski was rushed to University of Michigan Hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.
The driver of the van - a 20-year-old Clinton man - was not injured in the 5:07 p.m. accident. His name has not been released.
A bike ride honoring Pincikowski is being hosted by the Washtenaw Bicycling and Walking Coalition next week. It begins at 5 p.m. Tuesday at Pioneer High School. The group will travel about 3.5 miles to the site of the accident, stop for a brief service, and then return to Pioneer at approximately 6 p.m.
Comments
bellababy
Fri, Aug 14, 2009 : 8:09 a.m.
Well i agree with flower girl, infact my children an i saw this accident. To make the story a wee bit sadder my daughter is classmates with Tim's daughter. I find myself driving this road to and from daycare 2-3 times a day, it is very easy to be in a "trance" state of mind after a long day. However after witnessing this and dealing with a very sad 5 year old. It is my misson in life to always always be on the look out for bikers, lower my speeds and not worry so much about people ridding my tail as they will on that road. The weather was clear it was about to rain at the time it happened and that day will always be in my mind. So very sad. I am glad to hear they are doing a bike ride in Tim's honnor. I wish for others to slow down and for bikers to help us by wearing bright colors, helmets and blinking lights. Tim was not at fault and was a safe biker. I do see many bikers with no helmets, wearing dark colors that blend with the trees etc. Lets all work together and i hope to never have to see this happen again. Thanks
stan
Thu, Aug 13, 2009 : 5:49 p.m.
It will be interesting to see what comes out of the investigation in regards to potential charges. I think we're maybe looking at involuntary manslaughter, if anything. This was a terrible tragedy, but I see no reason why the speed limit should be lowered. I may be mistaken, but this stretch isn't known as being a high car accident area is it? I can't see justification for making changes just to accomodate bike riders.
mrs_samuelson
Thu, Aug 13, 2009 : 11:19 a.m.
Thank you flowergirl for your comments. I was at the scene of this accident, and I spoke to the young man who was the driver. He was not one who "had no regard for human life" but was devastated at what had happened. I do not know what the authorities have decided on the outcome, but we need to realize that each and every one of us has taken our eyes off of the road for just a second. I can understand people being upset at the driver, and he may be at fault...but his life is now also ruined. And he has to live with what has happened forever. I think that is punishment enough-we don't need to start questioning his character.
mareka
Thu, Aug 13, 2009 : 9:14 a.m.
I find Maple Road to be EXTREMELY busy at 5:00 pm on weekdays. My belief is that some of the drivers are hurrying to pick up their children after work or arrive at home. Some may be in a trance while reviewing mentally the events of the day or thinking about their plans for the evening. At one time, Maple Road was a "quiet back road in the country," but has evolved slowly into a rather busy thoroughfare between Saline and Ann Arbor. My plea is that bicyclists remain vigilent at all times on this road. When bicycling as a youngster, I was often cautioned by my parents that I did not control the thoughts, distractions, and actions of drivers.
flowergirl
Thu, Aug 13, 2009 : 8:13 a.m.
First of all, I would like to extend my sympathies to you, Mr. Pincikowski, and your family. Everyone involved in this tragic accident has lost in so many ways. The comments that I have read over the past several days have prompted me to write and ask that compassion be given for both families involved, including the young man driving the van. Someone I love very much had a similar accident when he was 17. He was driving on a local road following a semi truck. When the semi passed a girl on a bike she was sucked in behind the semi, into the road. She was hit and killed. The driver was found not to be at fault - he was the proper distance from the semi, there was no way he could have avoided her. However, he has been dealing with this all of his life and the grief and the 'what ifs' will always be there. To make it more devastating, they were classmates at the time. Her parents were wonderful people with a strong faith. They reached out to the young driver trying to help him be at peace. I do not know if this young man was on his cell phone or distracted in some other form so I will not speculate. I do know that the sun may have been a factor. I drive the Maple Road route every day to work and am deeply saddened by this whole event. Knowing someone who has been at the wheel of this type of tragedy I would like to request that statements such as 'no regard for human life' be kept at bay. My loved one has incredible respect for human and animal life - I'm sure this young man did not start his day wanting to hit another man out for a ride on his bike. The swans - I have enjoyed those swans for years and loved to stop and see the babies. I'm so sorry roadsidedinerlover. The killing of those swans (assuming the original article that they were shot is what happened) is beyond comprehension to me. Thank you for considering my words. Again, I am so very sorry for the loss of your brother, Mr. Pincikowski. This was a terrible accident.
Blinkman
Thu, Aug 13, 2009 : 3:45 a.m.
I hope they check the young mans phone. Texting while driving is such a dangerous habit nowadays, and seems to just keep gaining in popularity with the general public. The bike lanes should be wider also..like the ones on Grove road in Ypsilanti.
roadsidedinerlover
Wed, Aug 12, 2009 : 11:14 p.m.
I hope the speed limit is lowered in this area and in other parts of Washtenaw county. It seems some drivers have no regard for human life or for animal life. (The family of the dead swans)
Pincikowski
Wed, Aug 12, 2009 : 2:02 p.m.
The speed limit was 50 miles an hour, the bike lane was to narrow, the weather was clear, and according to witnesses, he was in the bike lane riding as he should. If good comes of this, warning signs will be posted, and speed limit will be lowered and bike lanes widened. This might not have saved him but it just might save some lives. As we understand it, bikers mirrors have been clipped by drivers. That is too close. Drivers and bikers rule to follow should be "KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE ROAD!"