CLT hit-and-run; suspected (drunk) driver arrested

[VegaVixen]

There was a hit-and-run this morning in southwest Charlotte just before 6am. A yet-to-be identified 50-year-old man was riding his bike when he was hit by a driver who fled the scene.

Fortunately someone saw the cyclist and he was taken to the hospital. His injuries were life-threatening and required immediate surgery. No update yet on his condition.

Pics from the scene here.

I appreciate how the police blocked off the road for several hours to investigate and gather evidence. Some of the debris around the bike is medical stuff left behind by the medics who treated the cyclist on the scene.

But police did find and arrest the suspected driver! (Yes, she was allegedly drunk when they arrested her. )

Pics of her car here.

I'm glad to see that the Charlotte-Mecklengburg Police Department did such an outstanding job in locating the suspected driver so quickly.

I'll do what I can to follow up on this....

[VegaVixen]

Update: Jenna Esperanza Woodring, 25, was charged with DWI, felony hit-and-run and felony serious injury by vehicle.

[VegaVixen]

Here's what one frontal-lobe-challenged commenter had to say:

Posted by adjusted at 2:48 p.m. Jul. 19, 2012

"OK, not justifying anything this piece did, and I hope they fry this drunk! BUT why is it that these riders ALWAYS choose the narrowest, most winding, two-lane roads they can possibly find to ride on? This hobby is just an accident waiting to happen in most cases. It's a miracle that more disasters don't occur, given the combination of Charlotte drivers and these chosen road conditions. I can't tell you how often I have to make the decision whether or when to pass a bike on a double yellow line into a curve, a blind hill or near a driveway. Don't these cyclists with their "Share The Road" stickers realize that at some level, their rights to do something fun encroaches on my rights for safety? I'd rather not get hit head-on so that you can hobby-ride on a more scenic route. This isn't the Tour-de-France. I promise that won't set up my treadmill in traffic either! "

Seriously? Well, what gives anyone the right to drive drunk on any road? Not to mention that if adjuster admits that (s)he has a decision to make as far as passing a cyclist, then (s)he implicitly admits that (s)he can choose to make the safer one, even it that decision puts her/him behind by 10-15 seconds on a two-mile drive. Not making the safer one should lead to criminal charges and a hefty sentence.

I'm just glad that where I ride, people don't seem to mind slowing up for a whole half a minute while I climb and then crest a hill, at which point I move to the right and I wave them around if the coast is clear, signal to them to wait if not, and they usually smile and wave as they pass, but very, very rarely exhibit sociopathic aggression.

[Red Rider]

I watched the news video; she was blonde and longer-haired than that pic.

I share your outrage. Driving is a privilege, not a right. Driving drunk is inexcusable, and as states have laws against that, let NC prosecute her to the full extent thereof.

As for the asshat who invoked the TdF: Eff you, and your syphilitic mother. You're so clueless you should be denied oxygen. You don't get to choose from the Karma menu -- you get what you deserve.

/end rant/

[VegaVixen]

The victim has been identified as George Scott Curtis. As far as I know, he still has life-threatening injuries.

The driver's arrest record here.

RR, that pic is from her arrest earlier this year in Feb (see pics associated with link above). She's apparently been hitting the bottle in more ways than one since February.

Here's an updated write-up. At least now we know why she was still drunk Thursday morning: Wednesday was her 25th birthday, so she must have been gettin' her par-tay on all night. Cool. But why the hell get out and drive while still drunk?

More photos from the scene. Again, I commend the CMPD for thoroughly searching for pieces of evidence from the vehicle so as to be able to make a positive id once they find a suspect.

[VegaVixen]

Update.

[redrobin69]

Okay. The rider is in fact George Scott Curtis. The injuries are still life threating. As far as the post earlier about him riding for fun and not sharing the road. FYI person he was biking to WORK!!!!!

[VegaVixen]

Her next court appearance is in superior court, October 9, Mecklenburg County Courthouse, room 5350, afternoon session.

[VegaVixen]

Next court appearance: superior court, December 17, Mecklenburg County Courthouse, room 5350, morning session.

[VegaVixen]

Update on Mr. Curtis here!

Wishing him a full recovery, and many more years on the bike!