The Ghost Bike placed at the scene of the crash that took the life of Cesar Palermo. Photo by Rick Price.
Earl Ong, the driver that killed Cesar Palermo on June 6th 2015, has been sentenced to 100 hrs of community service and fined $1500. The crash took place 1/4 mile North of the intersection of Lemay Avenue and Vine Drive. Ong was 17 years old at the time of the accident. He claims to have fallen asleep causing him to hit Palermo from behind. Ong is the first person to take part in the Chain Reaction Restorative Justice Program developed by Bike Fort Collins and the Larimer County DA’s office. According to Chris Johnson, Bike Fort Collins’ Executive Director, the idea behind the Program is to “channel the labor and debt that the offender owes us into something that advances our broader vision of transforming roads to end traffic violence.” The community service will include a combination of labor and advocacy campaigns that support cycling in Northern Colorado via Bike Fort Collins. The fine will go to support local bicycle nonprofits.
It should be noted that Cesar’s family had considerable input into the sentencing.
Coloradoan story from the time of the accident: http://goo.gl/6l2ebS
Bike Fort Collins released this video statement with regards to the sentencing:
