A Professor at Washburn University was killed Thursday June 11, when she
was struck by a driver. Glenda Taylor, a Topeka resident, was struck by
a Chanute man while training for a cycling race, in Crawford County. The
37-year-old man was charged with second-degree murder, reckless driving,
improper passing of a bicycle and driving on the left side in a no-passing
zone. He was been released on a $75,000 bond. Taylor was hit by a pickup
truck while warming up for the Kansas State Time Trial Championships.
Taylor was a staple of the Midwest Bicycle-Racing scene. She was an avid
rider and racer, competing in across many disciplines; even earning a
U.S. Cyclocross national championship last January in Austin. Taylor used
a high performance bicycle in her training, giving her extra speed and
allowing her to race for decades.
Reckless driving claims stem from negligence. The base of negligence claims
are duty, breach and causation. Drivers owe a special duty to bicyclists.
Extra care must be taken when passing cyclists on the road. The driver
has breached this duty when he tried to improperly pass Taylor while on
the road. The driver hit Taylor, causing her death. The reckless driving
of the motorists is responsible said to the responsible for Taylor’s
injuries. In addition to criminal charges, Taylor may hold the motorists
responsible for his reckless and negligent actions.
From bicycle shops in La to the heart of Kansas, bicycling has become
one of America’s past times. Cyclists are at a disadvantage when
traveling on the roads. Inattentive drivers can cause devastating effects.
If you or a loved one has been injured by an inattentive drive, please
give our experienced attorneys at Meyerkord & Kurth a call at
(800) 391-4318, and we can help you get your family back on track.