Newton PD - It's Prudent to Unexpectedly and Abruptly Swerve if you are Ignorant of Your Surroundings

Excerpts from the Newton PD Accident Report. Quotes are from the report and are not necessarily verbatim witness statements. Highlights are ours.

Witness #1: "The red toyota UNEXPECTEDLY SWERVED to the right, striking the bicyclist"

"Not sure if the Toyota signaled before making THE SUDDEN MOVE to the right."

Witness #2: "Observed the red Toyota ABRUPTLY SWERVE TO THE RIGHT and strike the bicyclist.

Driver of Red Toyota: "stated that she was IN A HURRY [because of a social event]."

Run-over Cyclist: "stated that the red toyota UNEXPECTEDLY PULLED ABRUPTLY TO THE RIGHT"


Reporting Police Officer:
"I HAVE FORMED THE OPINION THAT THE OPERATOR OF THE RED TOYOTA SHOULD NOT BE CITED FOR ANY IMPROPER DRIVING.

IN MY OPINION, THE BICYCLIST'S ACTIONS WHICH WERE CONFIRMED BY HIS OWN STATEMENTS WERE THE MAJOR CONTRIBUTING FACTOR LEADING UP TO THE CRASH.

IT IS REASONABLE TO BELIEVE THAT A PRUDENT PERSON WOULD NOT BE EXPECTING A BICYCLIST TO ALL OF A SUDDEN APPEAR ON THEIR RIGHT SIDE."