Ben Cope sentenced to two years in prison (law, vs)

[heartchya]

I don't think you should drive high or drunk. I myself do not smoke but I do have friends that do. I pass no judgement on them for it. However I have been around them while they are stoned and I would never get in a car with them. I also really hope they aren't driving after smoking.

[rrh5002]

So you wouldn't drive with them the next day?? or for that matter 10 hours later

Not putting blame on her, its a very sad story and I wish the best for the family but both are at fault. You have precious children in your control. You must take extra precautions. Neither took much precaution in this situation

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by heartchya

You may not agree with the sentence for Mr. Cope but to try to place the blame on the woman who died? Pretty disgusting in my opinion.

I agree. There is absolutely no evidence she did anything wrong, and the jury found that Cope was driving recklessly.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by rrh5002

but both are at fault. You have precious children in your control. You must take extra precautions. Neither took much precaution in this situation

To my knowledge there is no evidence to support any of these allegations against Lisa Styles.

[Hopes]

Driver vs pedestrian, the driver is ALWAYS at fault. Always. As it should be. Doesn't matter what the pedestrian does. Driver should always have control. But it's still an accident.

[TechieTransplant]

Originally Posted by Velvet Jones

And? People like you that make these types of claims obviously never smoked pot. Marijuana does not impact you for 8 or 12 hours like alcohol. I've been so stoned that I could barely stand up, but two hours later I felt completely clear. It only lasts a few hours at most. That is why he was cleared of the under the influence charge.

LOL, thanks for the testimonial! Hope you're proud!

[TechieTransplant]

Originally Posted by WINDCHIMES

On the day he hit her, he was said to be very sorry and concerned..

Oh, well nevermind then, as long as he showed concern, I'm good with that......

[TechieTransplant]

Originally Posted by rrh5002

He wasn't under the influence. Know the facts people. The night before doesn't count

How do you just cross the street with two children and not look...

And how do you know she didn't look?

[TechieTransplant]

Originally Posted by heartchya

You may not agree with the sentence for Mr. Cope but to try to place the blame on the woman who died? Pretty disgusting in my opinion.

Me too. As someone who runs our city streets 6 out of 7 days a week, I am truly surprised I haven't been hit and either injured or killed. And I always activate a crosswalk when it's available, I never jet out in to a crosswalk even when the sign CLEARLY says "Yield to Peds in Crosswalk", always slow to an in-place jog at four way intersections (and even wave cars on when they insist on waiting for me), etc. People simply don't pay attention and/or roll through stop signs or blow red lights. People don't pay attention backing out of or pulling out of their driveways. Your eyes, as a pedestrian or runner, need to be everywhere.

When I worked in the South Hills, I would pass through the intersection where she was killed, and people never stop at the stop sign at Washington Road.

[Velvet Jones]

Originally Posted by Hopes

Driver vs pedestrian, the driver is ALWAYS at fault. Always. As it should be. Doesn't matter what the pedestrian does. Driver should always have control. But it's still an accident.

Not always. Look at the case of Dante Stallworth. The prosecutor admitted it was the guys fault that he hit, because the guy jumped off of the sidewalk just as Stallworth was passing by. If he hadn't been over the legal limit he probably would have never even been prosecuted. Not that this was the same in the Cope case, but sometime pedestrians are found to be at fault. As a pedestrian you are almost always going to loose in the vehicle vs. person accident, so always be aware what is happening on the road when you try and cross. Never assume you are perfectly safe just because you are crossing at a cross walk and/or a stop sign.