A Traveler and his Cat exploring America.





Thursday, July 24, 2014

Not So Good Fence


The Absolute Nothingness of West Texas

We were driving along on Highway 90 
having a glorious time enjoying the scenery when I came upon this.


It was unbelievable to me, something like this could happen out here, in the middle of nowhere.

 I mean, this is the road, right where it happened.  The drunk woman had the entire expanse of the highway to drive on and still she hit this cyclist anyway.
She got four years in prison for her actions.  You can read the newspaper article here if you wish.
Yeah, this is the volume of traffic this highway gets.  
I probably saw about a dozen vehicles that morning.
Believe me, this was on my mind for quite a few miles further on.

For more fences with much more positive feelings to them go to TexWisGirl's GOOD FENCES




22 comments:

EG CameraGirl said...

Terrible tragedy! And now the drunk driver has to live with what she did for the rest of her life...not just the four years she will spend in jail.

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

that is tragic.

eileeninmd said...

So sad for the cyclist! I have been on road in Texas and New Mexico where you can drive forever without seeing another car! Great shots!

TexWisGirl said...

how very sad! a nice tribute marker for him.

Roan said...

Nice tribute and reminder not to drink and drive. So sad!

CJ said...

I see lots of crosses on the roads around here, but the bicycle is unique and is probably what made you notice it.

(It reminds me of the bicycle gate I posted a few weeks ago, but mine was a much happier sight.)

From the photos on your sidebar, looks like you've put in many miles on the road. Love you cat!

MarkD60 said...

I read the article. Such a waste of life. Two lives really.

Mary Hone said...

That's horrible! What a shame that had to happen.

FAB said...

Devastating for both individuals.
I hope the driver (and others) learn from this event.

GreenComotion said...

I feel sorry for both the cyclist and the auto driver, in some sense. If the auto driver was in the 'right mind', probably the accident may not have happened.

John - I give you A+ for this post, especially b/c there is a cycle in it.

Peace :)

Rose said...

I could go on a rant here, but I won't. I just think so many innocent people/children suffer from others drinking...I literally could go on and on but I won't.

That being said, I so love that last shot!

Anonymous said...

How tragic! It looks like it would be a really safe place to ride.

barbara l. hale said...

I've been to west Texas and you are right. Seems like you would have to try to hit something out there. Tragic situation.

BumbleVee said...

Well, I'm one of the people who think they should bring back appropriate penalties for being an idiot...4 years is not enough for the damage she did to the cyclist and his entire family.. not just him..... it was her choice to drink and drive...they should just shoot drunk drivers. Well, actually I think they should just shoot drunks. Period. But, that's only my personal opinion.

RedPat said...

They always say that you drive towards what you are looking at so being drunk she must have been staring at the cyclist and ran right into him! Throw the book at her.

A Colorful World said...

So terribly sad. It sure makes one think when you come upon a cross, some flowers, and sometimes maybe a name, on any stretch of highway, but this one is particularly disturbing being it was on such an expanse of quiet highway.Such a terrible loss.

Black Jack's Carol said...

As a cyclist, this really hits home. So very sad!

Tanya Breese said...

oh my gosh, how terrbly sad...i think it is a beautiful marker for him...but such a tragic story :(

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

What a terrible tragedy in such a barren part of the country. Safe travels to you!

Terry and Linda said...

What a huge sadness this fence represents. Love your blog, by the way!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com

Randy said...

Nice tribute but 4 years. Well she'll have to live with it.

Roses, Lace and Brocante said...

Unbelievable.....
One would think this road was made for cyclists - beautiful scenery and very little traffic - how wrong we can be.
Very sad.
Visiting from Good Fences.