Fred Carey, a high school teacher and cyclist, was killed on February 21, 2014 on Round Bottom Road in Union Township, Clermont County Ohio. Mr. Carey was riding on Round Bottom, a popular cycling road, around 6:30pm. According to police, he was riding lawfully when he was struck from behind by a yellow van. The driver did not stick around, choosing to run and hide. Some time later, cops tracked down Todd Shaw, 51, and were able to locate the yellow van. While details have not been released, police have indicated that “alcohol was a factor.”
Mr. Shaw has a bit of a “history” – several prior run-ins with the law on DUI and other issues. We will be following his case closely as it winds through the justice system. I will keep you posted here, and on my Facebook page.
Todd Shaw has a history of run-ins on driving issues, including prior DUI charges.
The victim, Mr. Fred Carey, was a good man – a 51 year old teacher at a local high school who had recently married. He was out for a ride on one of the most well-used roads by cyclists in this part of the county. Round Bottom is lightly traveled, rolling and scenic. It starts in Newtown, Ohio and takes you past soccer fields, corn fields, baseball fields and a variety of small businesses as it undulates towards Clermont County. I took both of my boys on their first real “road ride” on Round Bottom because I felt it was a safe place to ride.
There have been issues on Round Bottom in recent years. At one point the owner of an expanding landscaping business made some disparaging remarks about how cyclists were slowing down his big trucks and how it would be a shame if something happened. The cycling community was involved in a hurry – talking to the press, meeting with the business owner. I wrote an Op Ed piece that was published.
The cycling community has been hit hard by Mr. Carey’s death – in many ways it’s every rider’s nightmare – struck by a drunk driver on nice quiet ride. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Carey’s family and friends…
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