September 12, 2022
Sheriff R:
The purpose of this correspondence is to file a formal complaint and report the dangerous and potentially fatal operation of a Tri City Towing, Inc., tow truck. I recorded this event and am enclosing a USB flash drive of the recording and relevant frame frieze jpg photos.
I have uploaded a
shortened video of this incident and it is available as a YouTube video:
I was almost killed on Wednesday, September 7th, 2022, at 2:15 PM, while riding a bicycle eastbound on the AZ 15 (Bagdad-Kirkland) road.
It was a bright sunny afternoon with no weather-related problems. There was no traffic coming from either direction. Line of sight distance was no less than one mile, east and west. The driver’s speed was approximately fifty-five (55) miles per hour.
I was wearing bright, Hi-Viz, iridescent white and yellow cycling clothes. I wore bright white and yellow socks as my legs went up and down on the pedals.
The bicycle had three (3) bright, flashing white and red strobe lights rear-facing, and one bright white front-facing strobe light.
I was traveling at approximately ten (10) miles per hour, to the right of the white / fog line.
The driver of the Tri City Towing, Inc., truck veered toward me (even though I was on the shoulder, right of the white / fog line) and at the last second straightened out. The driver of the truck passed me at approximately fifty-five (55) miles per hour within barely two (2) or three (3) inches of hitting me. It is a certainty that if I had been hit, I would have been killed.
This is the recumbent
bicycle I was riding (I am the rider of the bicycle in the picture):
Below are two (2) freeze-frame jpg pictures of the incident:
I am requesting that you investigate this incident. It is my conclusion that the driver of this vehicle is responsible for an unlawful and potentially fatal act. I will fully comply with any requests you make of me in this investigation.
Sincerely,
Daniel Fallon
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"He told me that his driver was identified and he received a written reprimand for the incident. He wanted me to pass on his apologies for the incident. I explained to him how serious this is and how much worse it could have been. He was very apologetic and admitted that his driver was at fault.
Based on the video that I watched, it is clear that driver is on his cell phone either texting. My question for you is are do you want me to continue forward with a citation or are you satisfied with his supervisor disciplining him?"
I informed the Sergeant that it was critically important that the driver receive a citation (ticket). The heaviest weight in this matter has to do with how my death would have affected my wife, children, grandchildren, relatives, friends and patients.
I take no pleasure in causing the driver the possibility of losing his job. But a `written reprimand' and an `apology' are insignificant compared to the gravity of this issue.