2008 Woodie Awards
The Daily OrangeGraduate student killed in car accident
By Rachel Eldridge and Shayna Meliker
Posted: 10/26/08, 3:54 PM EST Section: News
Syracuse University graduate student Alec Waggoner died early this morning after being hit by an SUV while riding a bike in Thornden Park, university officials said.
Waggoner, 23, a first-year graduate student in The College of Arts and Sciences, died at University Hospital around 3 a.m., said university spokesman Kevin Morrow. Waggoner, from Beloit, Kan., was a student in the Department of Earth Sciences.
Waggoner and two other SU graduate students were riding bicycles down Thornden Park Drive, heading the wrong way on a one-way curved street, Morrow said. Waggoner and one other biker collided with the car at approximately 11:15 p.m. Saturday, Morrow said.
The two were taken to University Hospital around 11:45 p.m., Morrow said. Waggoner suffered severe trauma to the head, chest and legs. The other biker was treated for minor injuries and released from the hospital.
The driver was a 34-year-old Syracuse resident and the only person in the 1999 Lincoln Navigator, said Lt. Joseph Cecile of the Syracuse Police Department. No tickets were issued and no one was arrested at the scene. The incident is still under investigation, he said, but police have no reason to think alcohol or drugs were involved.
Waggoner was wearing a helmet at the time of the incident, Cecile said.
The Division of Student Affairs staff is providing on-site counseling to anyone who knew Waggoner. The Counseling Center and Hendricks Chapel are also offering their support services to anyone in need.
A campus-wide memorial service has yet to be scheduled, Morrow said.
rseldrid@syr.edu
shmelike@syr.edu
Waggoner, 23, a first-year graduate student in The College of Arts and Sciences, died at University Hospital around 3 a.m., said university spokesman Kevin Morrow. Waggoner, from Beloit, Kan., was a student in the Department of Earth Sciences.
Waggoner and two other SU graduate students were riding bicycles down Thornden Park Drive, heading the wrong way on a one-way curved street, Morrow said. Waggoner and one other biker collided with the car at approximately 11:15 p.m. Saturday, Morrow said.
The two were taken to University Hospital around 11:45 p.m., Morrow said. Waggoner suffered severe trauma to the head, chest and legs. The other biker was treated for minor injuries and released from the hospital.
The driver was a 34-year-old Syracuse resident and the only person in the 1999 Lincoln Navigator, said Lt. Joseph Cecile of the Syracuse Police Department. No tickets were issued and no one was arrested at the scene. The incident is still under investigation, he said, but police have no reason to think alcohol or drugs were involved.
Waggoner was wearing a helmet at the time of the incident, Cecile said.
The Division of Student Affairs staff is providing on-site counseling to anyone who knew Waggoner. The Counseling Center and Hendricks Chapel are also offering their support services to anyone in need.
A campus-wide memorial service has yet to be scheduled, Morrow said.
rseldrid@syr.edu
shmelike@syr.edu
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 8
Dan
posted 10/26/08 @ 8:17 PM EST
Condolences to Alec Waggoner's family and everyone who knew him.
I hope everyone in the Syracuse community takes this opportunity to remember that all road users should be mindful of the rules of the road. (Continued…)
Darle Balfoort
posted 10/27/08 @ 10:54 AM EST
I feel very strongly that the Daily Orange should publicize the traffic and safety laws concerning bicycles. As a cyclist myself, I know the bias against cyclists but also the ignorance of the laws displayed by both cyclists and motorists. (Continued…)
Zach
posted 10/27/08 @ 6:59 PM EST
In response to Rich'79's post:
As a former Syracuse resident(student) and bike commuter, I believe I can give a clear picture of the direct and indirect bias against cyclists, which is apparent not only in Syracuse, but in every city in which I have commuted. (Continued…)
Ryan
posted 10/28/08 @ 1:44 PM EST
Zach-
Yes, hills do deter riders. Look at the Thornden Park situation. You can take the windy road up a steep grade to the water tower, or go the wrong way on a much easier path. (Continued…)
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