DECATUR, Ga. — The Decatur Police Department has concluded that Ken Rosskopf, a local cycling attorney, caused the crash that led to his death in August, a finding that his family disputes.
Rosskopf, known for his advocacy in cycling-related legal matters, succumbed to his injuries at the age of 85 following a collision involving his bicycle and a vehicle.
The initial summary of the incident released by the city indicates that Rosskopf collided with a vehicle driven by a Mazda truck while attempting to make a left turn onto Ponce de Leon Place from Clairemont Avenue. According to this summary, the driver was not cited, and the investigation by authorities concluded that Rosskopf was at fault.
“The case has been cleared,” the investigation report states, asserting that the “bicyclist was determined to be at fault in this incident.”
However, Bruce Hagen, Rosskopf’s law partner, has voiced strong objections to the findings, labeling the analysis conducted by Decatur’s investigating officers as insufficient.
Hagen expressed his disappointment, stating, “I’m disappointed in the shallow analysis and faulty conclusions reached by the city of Decatur’s investigating officers.” He emphasized the unreliability of witness statements in crash scenarios involving vehicles and cyclists, particularly those from the drivers involved.
In response to the police conclusion, Rosskopf’s family is pursuing an independent investigation involving professional engineers who specialize in crash reconstruction. Hagen believes that this in-depth review will provide more accurate insights into the circumstances surrounding Rosskopf’s death.
“Had the driver simply exercised a moment of patience to allow Mr. Rosskopf to make his turn, this entire tragedy would have been avoided,” Hagen remarked, underscoring the family’s stance that the driver’s actions may have contributed significantly to the incident.
When inquired about the possibility of litigation, Hagen chose not to comment, indicating that decisions would be postponed until the findings of the independent investigation are available and reviewed with the relevant insurance companies involved.
The tragic accident occurred on the evening of August 21, with Rosskopf passing away the next day at Grady Hospital. Witness reports describe the moments leading up to the crash, stating that Rosskopf was seen attempting to make a left turn when he collided with the truck, which was traveling northbound in the inside lane.
The driver claimed she noticed Rosskopf stopped in the curb lane before she began moving forward in the lane. She reported that he “rode into the side of her vehicle,” leading to the impact that resulted in his injuries.
Eyewitness accounts, including one that confirmed the driver’s version of events, were pivotal to the investigation’s findings. These statements noted that Rosskopf appeared to be cycling quickly and that the driver braked sharply just before the collision took place.
In memory of Rosskopf, who was recognized as a pivotal figure in the cycling community, friends and family recently organized a memorial bike ride that featured the unveiling of a ghost bike—a symbolic tribute to cyclists who have lost their lives in traffic accidents.
Cycling coach Robert Wilhite remarked during the memorial that Rosskopf was a monumental figure in the cycling world, impacting many individuals in the Atlanta area and beyond.
He noted, “Every person on a two-wheeled vehicle directly benefited from Ken’s efforts, whether they realize it or not.” Hagen and others in the community continue to gather information about the tragic incident, advocating for a thorough examination of the circumstances surrounding Rosskopf’s untimely death.
image source from：decaturish
