Hit-and-run truck driver kills cyclist; truck was stolen: police
In the early morning hours of September 2nd an unknown person or
persons stole a truck. Within minutes of that theft, the truck having
only travelled a couple of hundred metres, the culprits had managed to
run over and kill a cyclist, Patrick Lonergan. The killer(s) fled the
scene and have not yet been apprehended.
Sept. 5th, 2007
In Memory of my friend, Patrick Lonergan, by Bill Sukloff.
“I’ve known Patrick since he was a child. He was a friendly, outgoing
man. Being mentally challenged, he’s had many hurtles to overcome
during his 40 years. He lived in a group home located close to where
he was killed. He loved biking around the city, and always wore his
helmet and had lights front and back when he rode at night. He often
would wake up in the middle of the night and ride to his favourite
coffee shop. He would stay off the main roads as he felt safer on side
streets. He was very excited Saturday evening as he and I were going
to the Air Show the following day.
“I became closer to Patrick since his parents died a few years ago. We
biked along the Martin Goodman trail and played his favourite game of
miniature golf many times. I think he was the happiest he’s been in a
long time. I know my life has been more meaningful since I became a
close friend of Patrick. I was thinking a while ago that I should tell
Patrick he is one of my best friends. I hope he knew how I felt.”
A cyclist memorial will be held for Patrick on Sunday September 9th
at 12 noon. All are invited to either meet us there or join us for
the ride there.
When: Sunday September 9th 12 noon.
Where: Riding from Spadina and Bloor, leaving at 10am.
Mid-way meeting point at Victoria Park Station (outside west
pedestrian entrance) at appx. 11am., departing 11:15am for memorial
site.
Memorial site. 12 noon. Beneath Pharmacy Ave bridge over railway
north of Lawrence
Please bring flowers.
For more info Darren Stehr
Derek Chardbourne
About ARC
Advocacy for Respect for Cyclists is a cycling advisory group that
was founded in 1996 with the initial aims of forming a legal defence
fund for cyclists and successfully lobbying for a coroner’s inquest
following two cyclist fatalities involving large trucks. (See http://
www.toronto.ca/cycling/coroner
of this regional coroner’s review.)
Since that time ARC’s mandate has expanded to include: 1. Lobbying
and education on issues of cyclists’ rights 2. Legal defence, support
and advice for survivors of car-bike collisions, and for cyclists
unfairly charged with traffic offences. 3. Direct actions such as
holding memorials for cyclists killed by motor vehicles.