Deputies: Bicyclist killed in crash with deputy had high blood-alcohol level

MANGO — A 26-year-old man with an elevated blood-alcohol level was killed Sunday night after veering his bicycle into the path of a Hillsborough County sheriff's car, the Sheriff's Office said.

Deputy Michael Hannaford, 27, was heading west on U.S. 92 near Mobile Villa Drive when Jonathan Lee Loschen of Seffner peddled his bike into Hannaford's path. The deputy couldn't stop in time and crashed into Loschen, the Sheriff's Office said.

Loschen died at Tampa General Hospital.

Deputies said Loschen's blood-alcohol level was 0.27 at the time of the crash, more than three times the level at which a person is presumed to be impaired.

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Comments

[Piglets Mom want you to slow down, please]

How fast was the policeman going. I bet he was speeding. It is so very common to see cops breaking traffic laws. God bless the dead man and send the pig to the bar-b-q split and slow roast him in the fires of damnation.

[Jack]

Your'e either a criminal or an idiot. Most likely both.

[Jack]

Your'e either a criminal or an idiot. Most likely both.

[Bill]

To Piglet, yeah buddy I smell the Bar-B-Que too and it smells like cover up. I personally was involved, a number of years ago, in a serious traffic accident with a member of law enforcement.
I damned near died and the slimy Pig got off even though he hit me. I even got a ticket issued to me in the Trauma center. All witnesses magically disappeared. I totally have no use for cops. I hope the Deceased's family or some personal injury Attorney takes this on. A real 3rd party investigation needs to be done.

[Kimberly]

I am a car-free commuter bicyclist and am not coming down on the officer.

Even one drink increases your chance of crashing.
http://www.bhsi.org/alcohol.htm
"The risk rose as alcohol rose, beginning at a 600 per cent increase if the blood level was only .02 grams/deciliter, equivalent to one drink. The .08 level is typically associated with four to five drinks."

Alcohol decreases your ability to use your brain and judgement skills. You need your judgment skills to be able to notice cars and estimate how fast they are approaching you.
How long will it take for the car to get to where you are?
How long will it take for you to get across the road?
Will you have time to cross the road before the car gets to you?

Drunk driving is often DUI manslaughter. Drunk bicycling is often DUI suicide.