California Sheriff Kills Roadies

Article courtesy of KTVU news...


CUPERTINO, Calif. -- The California Highway Patrol has launched an investigation into what caused a rookie Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department deputy to veer his patrol car into a group of cyclists on a training ride, killing two of them and seriously injuring a third.

Witnesses have told police they overheard the deputy ADMIT TO possibly FALLING ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL shortly before the 10:25 a.m. Sunday crash. However, authorities were refusing to speculate what may have caused the accident.

"It's going to be a drawn-out comprehensive investigation," said Don Morrissey, a spokesman for the Sheriff's Department. "It's just a tragic incident. Obviously, it's going to have deep impacts on everybody involved, from the deputy to the victim's family, next of kin, family, friends, everybody like that."

The third bicyclist was taken to Stanford Medical Center with critical injuries, but has since been listed in stable condition, according to Morrissey.

Friends have identified the dead as 30-year-old Kristy Gough of Oakland and Matt Peterson, 29, of San Francisco. Gough competed professionally as a triathlete and only recently had begun to concentrate on cycling.

Peterson, member of the San Francisco-based Roaring Mouse Cycles racing team, had recently won a road racing event in downtown Merced.

Authorities said that at approximately 10:25 A.M., a Santa Clara County Deputy Sheriff was patrolling the Stevens Canyon area in Cupertino. The deputy was traveling northbound on Stevens Canyon Road near Montebello Road when his vehicle accidentally crossed over the centerline of the roadway. The deputy’s vehicle struck three bicyclists who were on a training ride and were traveling southbound on Stevens Canyon Road.

The deputy immediately exited his vehicle, began to render aid and requested emergency medical assistance. Tragically, one of the bicyclists died at the scene. A second bicyclist was transported via Life Flight to Stanford Medical Center for treatment and died there.

The CHP has closed Stevens Canyon Road in both directions from Balboa Road to the entrance to the Stevens Creek Reservoir, Hoover said.

The California Highway Patrol is investigating the accident. The deputy will be placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

Anyone who may have witnessed this accident is urged to contact the Officer Bowen of the California Highway Patrol at (408) 467-5354 ext.337.