Fallen cyclist remembered as avid racer
Rogers competed in Nevada City Classic more than 20 times
A well-known Grass Valley cyclist died while biking on a Placer County highway Sunday. James “Jim” Rogers, 53, was cycling southbound near Colfax on the right-hand edge of Highway 174 just south of Oakhurst Lane when he was rear-ended by a driver traveling in the same direction at about 12:10 p.m., according to Officer Chris Wurster with the California Highway Patrol Office in Gold Run. Patricia Hernandez, 55, of Chicago Park, was driving at about 30 mph on the 45 mph road when she reportedly drifted over to the side of the road and hit Rogers, Wurster said. Wurster said Hernandez claimed she didn’t see the bicyclist. “We haven’t quite determined fault yet,” Wurster said Monday, saying the investigation was ongoing. Colfax firefighters and American Medical Response ambulance crews performed CPR on Rogers “for quite an extended period of time,” before a CHP helicopter airlifted him to Sutter Roseville Medical Center, Wurster said. Rogers later died. John Arrabit, Gold Run Area CHP commander, said that although Rogers was wearing a helmet, he suffered major head injuries. There is no evidence that either party was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, Arrabit said. Arrabit added that it’s important for motorists and cyclists to pay extra attention on narrow roadways and to slow down and share the road. “This is a sad day for our community as one life is lost and several others are changed forever,” Arrabit said. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families affected by this tragic incident.” On Monday, Rogers’ friends were coping with the loss of “the nicest guy.” “Everybody is just saying, ‘he’s the nicest guy,’ all day long,” said Connie Strawser. Strawser and her husband, Duane, have owned the Tour of Nevada City Bicycle Shop – a business Rogers helped found – for the past 13 years. “He was really an ambassador for cycling in Nevada City,” Strawser said Monday. Rogers was also a Soair/Sierra Express Racing team member and was known for the more than 20 times he raced in the Nevada City Classic Bicycle Race. “He raced in the Nevada City Classic when he was a teenager,” said Craig Lindberg, friend and president of the Sierra Express Racing team. “Absolutely nobody has raced the Classic more than Jim.” Lindberg said Rogers was a good person in every sense of the word. He added that the race team will likely donate its budget to a college scholarship fund for Rogers’ son, Nate. “When he saw you he was genuinely happy to see you every time he met you,” Lindberg said. “It just rubbed off on other people. I don’t know anybody else like that – it’s like Santa Claus dying.” The CHP is encouraging any witnesses in the area at the time of the accident to call the Gold Run office at (530) 389-2205. Jenifer Gee can be reached at jeniferg@goldcountrymedia.com. ---------- Friends of fallen racing cyclist James “Jim” Rogers have set up a college fund for Rogers’ son, Nate. A visual memorial to Jim Rogers is available at http://sierraexpress.org/ Memorial contributions may be made via the "Nate Rogers fund in memory of Jim Rogers" hosted by Wells Fargo Bank, 757 Sutton Way, Grass Valley, CA 95945. ----------
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Very sad accident. However, I just don't think the foothills is safe for cyclists. The lack of adequate bike lanes and narrow, precarious shoulders are accidents waiting to happen. And this has nothing to do with right of way or right to ride. It's just risky to ride in this area.
I was riding my mountain bike to go do some trails on sunday on 174. RIP
I have to agree with Salamander. It's a tragic loss of life and as a cyclist I can attest to the fact that even where there are bike lanes people are not moving over as much as they used to do, sometimes, specially on corners, they even cut into the lanes. This is one of those things that was bound to happen sooner or later, hopefully it serves as a wakeup call for everyone.
It's going to take a lot of enforcement by LE agencies and educating both drivers and riders.
Sad...RIP, car vs bike, bike always loses, no matter who is at fault, everyone be careful and respectful of each other
I can't remember ever not seeing a cyclist on either side of the road. Maybe I pay too much attention to what I'm doing - as a lot of people I've seen driving around here obviously do no do. On the other hand, maybe I've missed seeing one of these Invisible Cyclist Club members - apparently, they're quite good at what they do because people with eyes in their heads keep hitting them!
I'm sorry to hear about this... I can tell you in the Loomis/ Penryn areas... street cyclist are a problem. they travel in packs, alot of them side by side on Barton Road, Wells, Laird, English Colony, Rock Springs, Auburn Folsom, Areas with blind corners, forcing vehixles in on-coming lanes, etc..... I was very happy to see lately that the Placer Sheriff and CHP are stopping/citing bike cyclist for being unfriendly road users. Yes... Vehicle drivers need to also lighten up, but I know people who are making a sport of coming as close to bike riders as possible to show them a lesson... Just recently in Southern California, A emergency room doctor was convicted of hitting a cyclist on a winding-exclusive road.... Long story short- cyclist need to be cautious because the vehicle will alway win !!!
Kill a biker go to jail. That's when justice prevails. The tired old excuse is "I didn't seem him" has left too many dead bikers. Motorcycles and bicycles. Some of you here in these blogs advocate the very thing that just happened.
Want to educate motorist then apply the law. "Kill a biker, go to jail"
RIP Jim
Typical mountain road riding, in and out of the shadows on a sunny day, even worse visibility when it's foggy or low light conditions.
But we have to assume that as an experienced local rider Rogers new how to stay visible.
"I didn't see him," sounds so lame. But what's a motorist gonna's say? "Oh yeah, I saw him but decided to hit 'im anyway?"
* Does this mean there'll be a law that all bicyclists must wear flashing rear lights 24/7?
* Would that have made any real difference in this case?
* Or does this mean Patricia Hernandez was in violation of CVC's Basic Speed Law, driving too fast for conditions?
* Why did she "drift" to the right, what was she doing?
* Do you believe in "accidents?"
--
My last comment sounded harsher than I intended. I do not mean to imply Ms. Hernandez hit Rogers deliberately.
I did mean to state that car-bike collisions, and he lives they ruin, are too often written off as "accidents," just tragic quirks of fate.
Actually, you can find carelessness and inattentiveness at the root of most.
With more bicyclists, not fewer, on the roads in the coming years we all, motorists and cyclists alike, have to take more responsibility for attentive driving.
The article says she was going 30 in a 45 mph zone, so not speeding. Middle of the day on a nice day, so weather should not have been a factor. If she drifted and truly did not see the rider, and he did not veer into the lane, it sounds like she was distracted and not paying enough attention to her driving. It happens all the time and is the cause of most accidents. We all need to be more careful on the road.
If you need to ask the Placer DA what he is doing:
Please feel free to contact D. A. Fenocchio, and express your interest in this case.
Bradford R. Fenocchio
Placer County District Attorney
10810 Justice Center Drive Suite #240
Roseville, CA 95678
(916) 543-8000
(916) 543-2550 fax
bfenocch@placer.ca.gov
lantbarney, it says it was reported she was going 30, but that quick of report would likely have come from her. I don't know exactly where on 174 it was but I doubt she was going 30 mph if it's the section just pass the store at Chicago Park.
Unfortunately, I think she drifted into the cyclist because she did see him and was watching him rather than the road appropriately. You look where you go....I'm sure it wasn't intentional, but that doesn't change the tragedy.
I love the roads in the foothills for riding, but there are some roads that I'm quite nervous on. The switchback climb up 174 to Colfax being one of them...and that's where I'd guess they were heading.
How interesting Humans are. So quick to lay Judgement or Fault to either side with virtually NO information. Only the information from the Media. Anyone knows that American Media is saturated with sensationalism, inaccurasies and misinformation. Not that this is necessarily the case here with "The Journal". However they can only feed from what they've been told. Imagine the Potential Harm such Comments could make to Either Side. What Shameful Creatures We Are. This Event is Definitely a Tragedy, but what is causing more Unnecessary Harm going to accomplish? What a dissapointment that Those Commenting could not have Simply given their Condolences to the Family and Loved Ones of James "Jim" Rogers.
bird - good point. Even though I do not know his family and friends, I do offer my condolences. Losing a loved one is always difficult. I also hope Ms. H can find forgiveness and peace. Living with the taking of life is hard for people to live with, unless they are sociopaths.
dangit - while we can certainly go where we look, if we are looking down at something, or reaching for something, we can also drift to a place we are not looking. More facts would be helpful and I agree that you don't always get the facts from the person causing the accident, especially when the other party isn't around to give his version.
What a tragedy! I lived in Auburn for many years until '99 and recently visited friends and family. Early on a Saturday morning while driving on Placer Hills Rd I saw two cyclists going in the opposite direction using the entire lane of the road. I thought I hope others see them in time to avoid hitting them. Why they, or any cyclist would want to be on such a narrow and winding road especially without bike lanes is mind boggling. If you must ride on these roads, please, for your sake and others, use warning equipment.
I am saddened to read many of the posts about the untimely death of my friend and cyclist Jim Rogers. Here is an example of a fine human being, with a lovely wife and two children, who wanted nothing more than to share his passion -- bicycling -- with others in the greater local community. Jim was a former cycling mate of mine during 1980/1981 and was the epitome of a well-mannered, highly talented, competitive person. His cycling accomplishments are only overshadowed by his incredible demeanor, ability to lead and amazing patience with others.
As a life-long cyclist myself, I well-know the dangers of the road yet trust there is room for me and any vehicle safely passing me from behind. This, despite having been pelted with dirty diapers, milkshakes, beer bottles and even had a gun pointed at my temple. This, for no other reason than I was riding on "their' roads. And, all occurred in the S.F. Peninsula on wide, well-traveled roads.
PLEASE realize that Jim was a CHAMPION cyclist of Olympic caliber with 40 years of cycling experience, not some ill-mannered guy haphazardly riding a bike. He was an ambassador of cycling and encouraged responsible and attentive cycling habits. His family (wife, son and daughter + parents) need all the support, love and tenderness you can offer. Shame on the rest of you for trying to affix blame or digress into "you should hear this" stories about other bicyclists.
It's tragic indeed. Also somewhat disturbing to hear people ignorantly calling fellow road users "a problem". If you can't be bothered to:
-pay attention
-lift your foot off the gas when approaching a cyclist
-wait until it is safe to pass on a mountain road...
then please stop driving.
I know both familys in this matter. Jim and patricia. There both amazing people. I know that patricia is very sadened by what has happend along with many many other people. you people are so quick to judge, i mean could you imagine if you accidently hit someone and people were bashing you about it saying theres no way you couldnt see?? No one was there at the time so the only people that know the truth if jim and patricia. Everyone needs to stop judging. for the ones that know jim, im so sorry for your loss. and the hernandes family your prayers are with us!
As a Colfax cyclist who spends a lot of time riding the roads in this area, and who has had a number of close calls from drivers who were not paying attention because they were on the phone, I hope the CHP takes a look at this driver's cell phone records to see if she was on the phone when she ran this rider down. I'm sure that she's "very saddened" by what's happened, but the rider is dead and if she was on the phone when she hit him then she needs to be held accountable.
we place importance on human life.
we paint lines across pavement , then attach a law, with penalties, making it illegal for a heaver, larger vehicle (motorvehicle) to "be in" that space in between the painted lines, when a human is present. its a cross walk. then we publicize it, which makes us become aware of it, so when we are presented with this situation, we know what to do.... stop.
how about getting rid of those lines.
if someone is in the street....stop.
if a ball comes rolling in to the road in front of your driving, you can pretty much know what is likely trailing right behind to retrieve it...stop.
i can guarantee, that the living, closest to this tragedy , no matter what side, are hurting beyond any feeling most of us can feel or even imagine.
guaranteed.
if you are driving and you see a ball, or a human in front of you, i can guarantee, regardless of the outcome, that you will feel better when u use the brake.
guaranteed.
we all loved jim, he gave respect freely, not demanding it in return, but always got it in return from most.
condolences to the living for our loss.
@Chuckrippey How True. Lines, Signs, Markers on the Road are just visual reminders of what we are required by Law to do. According to the California Vehicular Codes anytime a Human is in the path of a Vehicle we are required by Law to Stop. It is irrelavant if they are in a designated area. This is Simple Intelligence. However this is contingent on the Driver seeing the Individual and Reaction Time. As far as anyone seeing a ball or Human in front of them and thinking, "I Do have the Right of Way here, they aren't supposed to be in this area. I'm just going to keep driving forward", seems highly unlikely.
@Wstockwin Yes the use of a Non-Hands Free Cell Phone while Driving is Illegal according to Law. This IS the case due to the multitude of fatalities associated with Cell Phone use while Driving. You are exactley right. However, certainly the proper authorities will assuredly conduct a thorough investigation to determine any fault. We can trust that they will use competent skills to do so and justice will be met.
But as I previously Posted it is such a shame that individuals continue to Post speculations and What-If scenarios on this site. Everyone who knows either Family is Deeply Saddened and Concerned. Posting What-If conjecture against either side can only serve to cause serious potentional harm if inaccurate. How very unnecessary and How Very Sad. Sometimes it is difficult for Humans to put others before their own opinion. As a Race we need to Rise Above.