Devan Smith
Devan Smith
Age 55    San Antonio, TX    September 26 2012
Comments: 1

Source: On impact, the 55-year-old bicyclist's helmet came off and his shoes followed soon after as he was sent flying into the street, where he died, a witness said. Another witness said he heard a “pop” and looked up to see a cloud of debris kicked up by a pickup coming toward him about 3:30 p.m. Wednesday on West Avenue, north of West Silver Sands Drive. Morgon Chmura, 24, said the pickup continued north, ran into a construction sign and skidded along a wooden fence until it slammed into a light pole, snapping the pole in half. Then, Chmura said, he saw the teenage driver get out of the truck. “He started yelling at the cyclist, saying, ‘Why the (expletive) did you swerve into my lane?'” said Chmura, who holds a sign for a nearby business. “I told him he'd just killed a man and that he needed to calm down.” Devan Coulter Smith was pronounced dead at the scene. San Antonio police detained Austin Stull, 17, who had been driving home from school, and released him after he gave a statement. Witnesses had reported seeing the truck barreling along at nearly 60 mph and weaving in and out of traffic. And while witnesses said it might have run a red light, police weren't able to determine that at the scene. SAPD took more measurements and statements from witnesses Thursday and said Stull may still face criminal charges. San Antonio adopted a “safe passing” ordinance that requires vehicles to stay 3 feet away from any “vulnerable” road user, including bicyclists. Chmura's girlfriend, who holds a business sign at West Avenue and West Silver Sands and declined to give her name, said she is now scared to be at the corner, adding that she's pregnant. “That could have been me,” she said. A man who lives and works nearby said he regularly saw Smith on his bicycle, and he appeared to be an experienced commuter who rode safely. “I used to commute and know the rules. I enjoy it but haven't commuted in two years because I don't feel comfortable doing it,” Jordan said. “The roads around here are treacherous, and during rush hour, you have to be very, very defensive.”

Collision Data

Crash time: between 3 p.m. and 5:59 p.m.

Closest Intersection: West Silver Sands Dr

Land use: Urban

Road type: Urban Arterial

Where on the road the collision happened: Road

Collision type: Rear-end

Driver Data

Vehicle type: Light Trucks (SUVs, pickups)

If truck: Unknown

At crash time driver was: Hit & Run

Sources

Source: News Report
Type: Blog
Pos/Neg: Neutral
Link if Website: http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/Bicyclist-teen-in-fatal-wreck-ID-d-3899029.php

Legal Status

Legal status: Charges pending
Against:
Civil Suit filed?:
Settled?:
In favor of:
Type of Charge:

Comments:

  • Marie Gaytan October 13 2012

    I was married to Devan for 20 years and we have 3 daughters and 3 grandbabies. Devan was passionate about bicycling, has been riding for years. Devan was very safety conscious about the roads and over the last few months, he complained about motorist and the close calls he had on the road and feared something like this would happen, but the love for cycling kept him on the road. He left behind family and friends that loved him dearly and will forever be in our hearts. Devan was an artist, loved rides in the hill country, kind-hearted, funny and loved his daughters more than anything in the world. We are devastated by his lost and have been grieving ever since. What is it going to take for motorist to share the road and keep this from happening to another family.  Please share the road!!

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