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Driver Who Killed Cyclist Matthew Von Ohlen Sentenced To Up To Fifteen Years In Prison
By
Emma Whitford
Published Oct 18, 2017
Modified Oct 18, 2017
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courtesy Bikestock
By
Emma Whitford
Published Oct 18, 2017
Modified Oct 18, 2017
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The hit-and-run driver who struck and killed Queens man Matthew von Ohlen in a Williamsburg bike lane in July 2016 was sentenced to five-to-fifteen years in prison Wednesday, according to the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office.
Juan Maldonado, 57, of South Williamsburg, was arrested in connection with the incident last November, and convicted of manslaughter last month. He criticized von Ohlen Wednesday and suggested that the cyclist was to blame because he had alcohol in his system when he was struck, DNAInfo reports.
"I don't want to bad rap your son because this is bad enough. But he's come in contact with a lot of things. The toxicology report wasn't a good thing," Maldonado said.
"It makes me feel like I'm the bad one," he added.
Howard Kirsch, Maldonado's attorney, made a similar argument during the trial. Assistant District Attorney Douglas Marquez has countered that von Ohlen was not swerving that night; that he did not stray from the bike lane.
Judge Suzanne Mondo had little patience for Maldonado on Wednesday, according to DNAInfo. Citing video footage of Maldonado laughing with friends a day after the crash, she criticized his "complete lack of remorse and total disregard for human life."
Von Ohlen was biking home from a shift as a bartender at Apotheke in Manhattan on the morning of July 2nd when he was struck in front of 690 Grand Street in Williamsburg, between Manhattan and Graham Avenues. The crash took place around 2:20 a.m.
Video surveillance recovered from the scene of the crash shows 35-year-old von Ohlen riding in a designated bike lane when he was struck. According to prosecutors, Maldonado sped through a red light before swerving into the bike lane and striking von Ohlen's bike from behind. He then continued driving, "running over the victim and dragging him approximately 10 to 20 feet as he sped away," according to the DA's Office.
Von Ohlen started Bikestock with partner Joseph Huba in 2013.
"I lost one of these anchors in my world," said Logan Gilbert, von Ohlen's longtime roommate in San Francisco and fellow NYC bartender, last year.
"The reckless and dastardly actions of this defendant took the life of a beloved cyclist and advocate for safe streets," Acting District Attorney Eric Gonzalez stated Monday. "We cannot tolerate this kind of violent behavior by motorists and I am committed to continue doing my part in ensuring the safety of everyone who uses Brooklyn roads—drivers, cyclists and pedestrians alike."
In a statement, von Ohlen's parents called for safer bike infrastructure on Grand Street, where another cyclist was critically injured this month.
"We are confident that proper investment in street designs that truly protect cyclists, like a protected bike lane on Grand Street, could have saved our son’s life," they said.
Reached for comment Wednesday, Kirsch said only that his client will appeal.
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Matthew von Ohlen
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Emma Whitford
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