The Times Union reported today that another cyclist has died. Matthew Ratelle was struck down from behind about 8:30 a.m. (broad daylight) on 9/3. According to the report, one can conclude that Ratelle was an “avid cyclist” who had driven to the start of his ride on Rt. 22, was wearing a helmet, was riding on the shoulder, and had a GPS device on his bicycle – all hardly signs of a casual or unprepared rider going on an errand.
According to the Times Union, the killer, Becky Goodermote, was charged with::
- Leaving the scene of a serious personal injury accident
- Operating a vehicle while impaired by drug
- Driving with a suspended registration
- Failure to use due care
The TU report notes further that Goodermote, who was also suspected of texting at the time, left the scene but was caught when her concerned family member told police that Goodermote returned home with extensive damage to her vehicle that she could not explain.
Ratelle, who leaves a wife and three young children, landed about 30 yards from where he was struck and suffered massive trauma.
UPDATE 12-22-12
Funeral and Wake for Matthew Ratelle, Another Cyclists Killed on the Road – Those cyclists who would like to reach out to the family of a fellow bicyclist Matthew Ratelle may visit on Sunday, December 23, 2012 from 4 until 7 p.m. at the Parker Bros. Memorial, 2013 Broadway, Watervliet.
The funeral will be Monday, December 24, 2012, 10 a.m., Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, corner of Eagle St. and Madison Ave., Albany.
Contributions may be made to the Ratelle Family Trust, to benefit his children, in care of the funeral home office.
Visit parkerbrosmemorial.com for directions, to light a candle, and for condolence book.
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Lawyer: Woman Wasn’t Texting in When She Hit Cyclist Ratelle at 70 MPH – Just Dozing
The Times Union reported today, 2/22/13, that the lawyer for a woman arraigned on charges of manslaughter, driving while impaired by drugs, and leaving the scene of a crash that killed a bicyclist said his client did not know what she hit, got out of her vehicle twice to check, found nothing, and left. (Ed: Curiously, her own family member called police because Becky Goodermote’s (new) car had extensive damage to the front that she could not explain.) The lawyer said she may have briefly dozed off.
Goodermote was northbound at 8:30 a.m. 9/3/12 on a straight stretch of Route 22 in her SUV when she hit Matthew Ratelle, 40, an experienced cyclist. (Ed: This is a clear stretch of flat road with no major intersections and wide shoulders.) Ratelle is survived by his wife and two young children. He remained in a coma until he died just before Christmas, 12/20/12. Ratalle’s third child, about whom he did not know, was born after the crash but before his death.
Goodermote (allegedly) was under the influences of oxycodone, hydrocodone, and pregabalin. She later stated that she was also on Allegra, Atenolol, Topamax, Deprakote, and Celexa.
“I don’t know what I hit,” Goodermote told police. “I stopped and didn’t see anything. What did I hit? A sign?”
Goodermote is accused of the following:
- One count of second-degree manslaughter
- Four counts of second-degree vehicular manslaughter
- Driving while impaired by drugs
- Leaving the scene of a fatal accident without reporting it
- Reckless driving
- Failure to exercise due care
- Failure to maintain lane
- Operating a motor vehicle while using a cell phone.
Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Lawyer-Woman-wasn-t-texting-in-fatal-crash-4297103.php#ixzz2LdmPMGRS.