Friends Mourn Cyclist Killed In Freak Accident // Chicago

This report was written by Mai Martinez for CBS. Check out the link at the end of the story. They have a heartbreaking video version of the story posted that demands viewing. —Jerry

June 10, 2008

CHICAGO (CBS) ― A Chicago cyclist, who was hit and killed by an SUV after crashing into an open car door, was remembered Tuesday as a loving young man with a bright future ahead of him.

As CBS 2's Mai Martinez reports, he had recently taken up cycling and was looking forward to his first summer of riding in Chicago.

Those who knew Clint Miceli said he was almost always smiling. It was that trademark smile and his wonderful sense of humor his friends said that they'll miss most.

At Plan B Advertising, where the 22-year-old worked, his co-workers said that if they wanted something done, or just wanted a good laugh, Miceli's desk was the place to be.

Tuesday, that desk had the opposite effect as his friends realized that Miceli was really gone.

Friend and co-worker Mitch Cooper said, "I don't know how you replace that. Probably you're lucky if you do."

Miceli was killed Monday as he was biking home from work on North LaSalle Street. His friends said a child opened the door of a parked car and Miceli crashed into it.

The impact sent Miceli into the nearby intersection, where he was struck and killed by a passing car.

Friend and co-worker Ric van Sickle said, "It's not someone you can point a finger at and assign blame to, it's just a tragic accident."

Miceli's friends hope a memorial -- a white bicycle with his photograph pasted to it -- will remind people of how precious life is and how easily it can be taken away. They said that drivers and cyclists need to be more aware of their surroundings and more respectful of each other

"Cycling is dangerous, and it comes down to making sure that you're ready before you head out into the streets," van Sickle said.

It was a sentiment echoed by many who bike in Chicago.

Cyclist Dave Sienko said, "You've got to look both ways. One thing everybody should be careful about is opening a door. Certainly, that's pretty obvious to me."

For now, Miceli's friends have said only one thing gives them comfort. "I know he was doing something he loved, and a grin on his face in the seconds before he was taken away," van Sickle said.

The driver of the parked car was cited for opening a car door in traffic. The driver of the car which hit Miceli was not ticketed.

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http://cbs2chicago.com/local/cyclist.freak.accident.2.745322.html