Over a year later, a trial has finally been ordered for the hit-and-run rampage by David Mark Clark of Albany who said he heard voices inside his head who seduced him into mowing down four bicyclists, almost killing at least one, my client Rolando Casajeros. The attacks began on Harrison Street near 23rd Street. Throughout the mile-long rampage, Clark’s SUV swerved several times to intentionally hit the cyclists before he crashed into a light post and fled on foot.
Clark said,
“I was forced psychologically to drive around. And I couldn’t stop.”
It was a long six minutes for the survivors who were pursued and hit, suffering serious injuries on the night of June 2, 2010 some with broken legs, bruised organs, lost teeth and a broken jaw and other facial fractures.
I am disgusted to say that the most seriously injured of the four cyclists, whom I am representing as a San Francisco Bicyclist Lawyer, was injured by Clark, who claims to be a crystal healer by trade. Going on an insane rampage isn’t exactly how I imagine a true healer should act, to say the least. I am glad that Mr. Clark will be held accountable for his crimes. I wish he could be held civilly accountable as he had a small insurance policy and no assets to speak of. While Clark may go to prison or to a mental facility for his actions, my client is left with a life altered for the worse, and a lot of financial hardship. My best hope is that the City of San Francisco waive its lien for the medical bills which are very high, and that Rolando be allowed to go on with his life without crippling debt on top of his injuries.
In a cyclist vs. automobile collision, the bicyclist is going to suffer injuries, incur the medical bills, lose time from work and possibly be left with a permanent disability. When the wrongful conduct of a person causes you or someone you love severe injury, great pain, high expenses, and disability, it can be a confusing and challenging time. Please feel free to call me if you or a loved suffered an injury from a bicycle accident and I’ll be happy to speak with you free of charge and to explain your options to you.
About the author: Claude Wyle is an aggressive advocate for San Francisco Bay Area bicyclists. Claude has decades of experience representing those harmed by the wrongful conduct of other, and, as a Marin County bicycle accident attorney, has fought to protect the rights of injured cyclists throughout his legal career. Claude is also an avid cyclist himself and member of the Marin County Bicycle Coalition, the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition and a contributor and supporter of Safe Routes to School.
