Bike accident on 98

**Bobby J** · 07-02-2011, 08:52 AM

I was just informed a biker has been hit on 98 and bay drive. Does anyone have any information?
Please be careful this week people. Lots of bikers out.

**bluemtnrunner** · 07-02-2011, 11:01 AM

We passed the site. Trooper on scene, bike in the middle of 98, shoes still clipped in the pedals. My heart sunk.

**bluemtnrunner** · 07-02-2011, 12:24 PM

Fhp website lists it as a fatality. http://www.flhsmv.gov/fhp/traffic/crs_h002.htm

**sunspotbaby** · 07-02-2011, 01:22 PM

: (

**scooterbug44** · 07-02-2011, 01:58 PM

Was it on 395? If so, I passed another accident and squished bike on 98 west of 395.

People are driving like morons, so be careful!!!

**sunspotbaby** · 07-02-2011, 02:06 PM

Was it motorcycle? or bicycle? People are driving crazy out there.

**scooterbug44** · 07-02-2011, 02:38 PM

Pedal type bike.

They sure are keeping law enforcement hopping this weekend!

**kurt** · 07-02-2011, 03:48 PM

It was a bicycle in the eastbound lane of 98 between Bay Drive (283) and 395.

**beachmouse** · 07-02-2011, 04:06 PM

FHP has released the name:

http://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/ros...nta-south.html

A 33-year-old bicyclist was killed after he was hit by a car on U.S. Highway 98 Saturday morning. Kurt Lang Frankel, of Atlanta, Ga., was stuck by an eastbound car on Hwy 98 just past County Road 283 about 8:30 a.m., according to a news release from the Florida Highway Patrol.
Frankel was taken to Sacred Heart Hospital of the Emerald Coast where he was pronounced dead at 9:16 a.m.
Alexandra Elise Alford, 19 of Miramar Beach, was driving a Mercedes Benz C240 east in the outside lane of Hwy 98, according to the release. Frankel had been riding east on the shoulder of the highway.
Alford's car struck Frankel from behind, ejecting him from the bicycle, according to the release.
Frankel was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, but sustained significant injuries. He was riding a Scott bicycle, estimated to be worth $4,000, according to the release.
Alford was not injured in the wreck and alcohol was not a factor, according to the release.
Charges are pending, according to the FHP.

**bluemtnrunner** · 07-02-2011, 05:24 PM

This is horrible. And why, for the love of all that is holy, did the reporter find it necessary to put the value of the bike. A man is dead, an invaluable life gone.

**Lake Eastern** · 07-02-2011, 05:36 PM

I have to leave early many mornings to travel east on 30A and while I am courteous to bicyclists the sun rising in the east often blinds me around areas like Deer Lake. The same is true when you hit the curve of 30A just past Resort Quest office traveling west in the afternoon when the sun is setting. Everyone needs to be conscious of these situations.

**scooterbug44** · 07-02-2011, 05:45 PM

I found that very jarring too.

Strange place/time for an accident of that nature - I can't believe it would have happened if the driver was paying a modicum of attention.

Would be great if long term plans for 98 included a separated bike path like we have connecting 98 and 30a and along 30a.

Our area is becoming a favorite destination for bikers................and bad drivers.

**1ToshFan** · 07-02-2011, 06:44 PM

I was saddened to hear about this tragic accident. All of our thoughts are with this man's family as they cope with such a horrible loss. I hope that cell phone use did not contribute to this accident.

I regularly ride on 30A and was beginning to extend out on to 98 but no longer. The motorists on 30A are for the quite respectful of bicyclists that share the road, and I try to return this respect in kind.

**trout bum** · 07-02-2011, 07:30 PM

Yesterday I rode on 98 same place and same time I saw the scene coming back from kayaking IT just made Me sick I saw his cleats still in the peddals, Whoever was driving had to be going fast.

**lisaseer** · 07-02-2011, 08:58 PM

This is the article I found on line. Very sad.

Cyclist from Atlanta killed in South Walton wreck
Comments 13
July 02, 2011 5:34 PM
Lauren Sage Reinlie
Daily News
SANTA ROSA BEACH — An instructor at Georgia Tech died Saturday morning after he was hit by a car while riding his bicycle on U.S. Highway 98 in South Walton County.

Kurt Lang Frankel, 33, of Atlanta, was riding his bike east on the shoulder of U.S. 98 when he was struck east of County Road 283 about 8:30 a.m., according to a news release from the Florida Highway Patrol.

Frankel was taken to Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast, where he was pronounced dead at 9:16 a.m., the FHP reported.

Alexandra Elise Alford, 19, of Miramar Beach, was driving a Mercedes Benz C240 east in the outside lane when she hit the back of Frankel’s bike and knocked him off, according to the FHP.

Frankel was riding a Scott bicycle worth an estimated $4,000 and was wearing a helmet, the FHP reported.

He was an assistant professor of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at Georgia Institute of Technology, according to the school’s website.

Alford was not injured in the accident.

Alcohol was not a factor in the wreck, the FHP reported. Charges were still pending later Saturday.

Alford was not injured in the wreck and alcohol was not a factor, according to the release.

Charges are pending, according to the FHP.

**Teresa** · 07-02-2011, 09:45 PM

It doesn't seem relevant at first glance, but I imagine the cost of the bike and the safety equipment of the biker tells us that he was experienced. Not an average biker without knowledge of rules and precautions.

I am always nervous when bikers are on 98, regardless. Or any other road, for that matter. There is just not much room for error.

In any case, it is very sad and I am so sorry to hear about this accident.

**Minnie** · 07-02-2011, 09:45 PM

This is a horrible accident. Someone lost their life and someone's life was affected forever.

No official report has been given, so why would anyone second guess what happened. As to the speed, I believe that stretch of 98 is 55 mph, right, even if 45, fast enough to kill someone on a bike. So no need to say they were going fast to imply they were speeding.

And yes I have traveled that stretch early in the morning and as Lake Eastern stated the sun can be blinding.

A little compassion for both families would be nice. At 19 would you have wanted to have that to live with for the rest of your life irregardless of what happened.

If the driver was neglient I am sure the officers will be able to determine that, more so than anyone can guessing what happened.

**ronnadavis2** · 07-02-2011, 10:42 PM

Right on Minnie. It is horrible for everyone. That 19 year old girl did not intend this and now has to live with it forever. Hopefully the cyclyist's family is compassionate.
I heard about the accident at 8:45am, no details, as I was at my rental house washing duvet covers. I knew my husband was out on a road ride at that same time, so it was very real for me. I am so sorry for Kurt and everyone who loved him. RIP

**Miss Critter** · 07-03-2011, 10:24 AM

Amen, Minnie. So many people are so quick to judge without knowing the facts. My heart goes out to the family of the cyclist who was killed, but also to the 19-year-old girl and her family. Whether driver attention was an issue, we don't yet know. That's a well-traveled stretch of road with a high speed limit. Bike lane or not, there's danger there. From what I know, this girl is a good kid from a good family. Maybe driver inexeperience was an issue, but I'll wait to learn the details. Junior Critter is not yet 18, and I pray every time he leaves the house. It's a dangerous world out there.

When I was in my 20's and fate had not yet "gifted" me with the myriad learning experiences I've had since, I, too, thought the world was an orderly place. Just do the right thing, stay out of bad places, make what you deem to be good judgments and "bad" things simply wouldn't happen. What a naive view of the world! Sometimes, despite our best efforts and intentions, really awful things happen. Sometimes to bad people, which seems "fair," and sometimes to good, which seems not so much. As I hit 50, I realize that the Universe in which we live is more complex than I'm able to figure out. So I rely on faith and compassion to get through it. It's not an easy fix, and requires constant work, but it's the only thing that makes any sense to me. A little less judgment and a little more compassion, please.

**bluemtnrunner** · 07-03-2011, 10:45 AM

We were discussing this today and I just caution everyone to withhold any judgement. Anything could have happened. Cyclist could have hit something or swerved, another driver could have swerved toward this girl causing her to swerve, deer are out right now, bike have blowouts, text messages happen, coffee gets spilled, someone sneezes violently, water bottles get hung up in cages. I've had close calls as a driver and as a cyclist. Sometimes it was not the fault of either party, things just happened and somehow we all walked away. We don't know, may never know what happened. Please just take it to heart and keep an eye out, cyclists and motorists be careful, focus on the road and err on the side of caution.

**sunspotbaby** · 07-03-2011, 11:23 AM

Another factor around here is people who follow too close. I think a lot of our visitors are from large cities where it's common to tailgate and intimidate drivers to move over. I remember teaching my son to drive and it wasn't long after the 4 lane was complete, but i showed him how if he's following someone too close, he can't see what's ahead....a bike, a pedestrian, a car broken down on the shoulder. I hope he remembers those things as he drives now. There are way too many accidents that could be avoided if people remember they aren't on an interstate highway. So sorry for all involved.

**Will B** · 07-04-2011, 07:54 AM

Originally Posted by bluemtnrunner

We were discussing this today and I just caution everyone to withhold any judgement. Anything could have happened. Cyclist could have hit something or swerved, another driver could have swerved toward this girl causing her to swerve, deer are out right now, bike have blowouts, text messages happen, coffee gets spilled, someone sneezes violently, water bottles get hung up in cages. I've had close calls as a driver and as a cyclist. Sometimes it was not the fault of either party, things just happened and somehow we all walked away. We don't know, may never know what happened. Please just take it to heart and keep an eye out, cyclists and motorists be careful, focus on the road and err on the side of caution.

I agree with you on all points except the text message. If she was texting, she deserves to be strung up by her thumbs. There's no text so important that it can't wait until you are off the road. I hope it was an unfortunate accident and not as a result of negligence. Sorry for the insensitivity, but I avoid texting idiots every day on my motorcycle despite the new law banning it. They drive like they are drunk. It's a pet peeve.

Prayers to the Frankel family...

**Alicia Leonard** · 07-04-2011, 10:54 AM

I meet a lot of cyclist on 285, when I have to travel over to Niceville. I always worry about hitting one. I slow down, and make sure there is no oncoming traffic, so I can move over and pass them safely. Texting while driving should be handled like a DUI, imho. There is no way you can keep a true eye on the road and text at the same time. At least with a phone call you can still look at the road, but I try not to answer the phone when I'm driving. This is a tragedy, but if she was texting, and I'm only saying if, she should face some consequences for this man's life, imho.

**bluemtnrunner** · 07-04-2011, 02:34 PM

Oh no I wasn't saying texting would be excusable, I meant it is possible another driver was texting and their lack of attention caused this driver or cyclist to veer off.

**kurt** · 07-04-2011, 03:01 PM

I passed 2 cyclists on road bikes today on 98. At 55 there is very little room for error for either driver or cyclist.

On the way back I saw 3 guys on mountain bikes on one side and 2 young girls on beach cruisers on my side. This was half way between Inlet Beach and 395. I'm not sure why I mention it except it didn't seem like the place for bikes, especially young tourists.

**Paula** · 07-04-2011, 03:44 PM

Originally Posted by Alicia Leonard

I meet a lot of cyclist on 285, when I have to travel over to Niceville. I always worry about hitting one. I slow down, and make sure there is no oncoming traffic, so I can move over and pass them safely. Texting while driving should be handled like a DUI, imho. There is no way you can keep a true eye on the road and text at the same time. At least with a phone call you can still look at the road, but I try not to answer the phone when I'm driving. This is a tragedy, but if she was texting, and I'm only saying if, she should face some consequences for this man's life, imho.

I know a lot of people drive while talking on their cell phones, but the research is pretty clear that it's still distracted driving, even if you're using a speaker - and you are more at risk for an accident when using a cell phone in any way in a car. As a parent, I never use my cell phone while driving (nothing is that important to say on my cell phone that can't wait until I'm not driving given that it increases the chance of accidents - I pull over into a parking lot and just call back the person who left the message if I think it's that important) and I tell the kids not to do so as well (and I think they don't use their cell phones when driving because I've been warning them about cell phone use in the car, but who knows) because it puts them and others at risk. It's not just the texting that's dangerous. I realize that just about everyone I know talks on their cell phone when in the car, but we're in denial if we ignore the studies that say any kind of cell phone use slows down our reaction time and is more likely to lead to an accident. Here's a summary of some of the studies: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_...driving_safety.

I am not making any assumptions at all about the young girl who was driving. My heart goes out to everyone involved in this accident. I'm just responding the message above.

**Beach Runner** · 07-04-2011, 05:14 PM

Originally Posted by beachmouse

FHP has released the name:

http://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/ros...nta-south.html

Frankel was an assistant professor at Georgia Tech, not an instructor, much higher ranked. My son-in-law is an instructor in electrical engineering at Georgia Tech, and he's just in his first year of grad school there. Ditto for me as a calculus instructor at UF when I was 22. Assistant professors have Ph.D.s. Not that the life of a prof is more valuable than that of an instructor of anyone else, but just to set the record straight.

http://www.gatech.edu/directories/in...ame=frankel%2C

RIP.

**tistheseason** · 07-05-2011, 07:07 AM

So sad to hear! We passed another similar accident here in Atlanta yesterday. Man was biking with his adult son and got hit from the back. So many lives changed in a split second!

**Teresa** · 07-05-2011, 09:30 AM

I was checking out the "bike lane" on Hwy 98. it is no bike lane. why don't they put in a proper bike lane - there is plenty of room to do so. Even with a proper bike lane, I still think it would be a dangerous place to bike but at least there would be room to do so.

**scooterbug44** · 07-05-2011, 09:53 AM

Originally Posted by Teresa

I was checking out the "bike lane" on Hwy 98. it is no bike lane. why don't they put in a proper bike lane - there is plenty of room to do so. Even with a proper bike lane, I still think it would be a dangerous place to bike but at least there would be room to do so.

I would like to see a separate bike path on 98, but that striped off lane with a long flat clear road is far better than most places people road bike without any problems.

Sadly the safety factor is mostly determined by how alert and aware drivers are - the biker really has little to contribute aside from wearing bright clothing and staying in their lane.

**LuciferSam** · 07-05-2011, 10:05 AM

I see cars on 98 momentarily drift into the bike lane all the time. I conclude that nobody should ever bike on 98 regardless of his right to do so. It's a bad idea. The bad drivers win.

**scooterbug44** · 07-05-2011, 10:08 AM

It's not just 98 - few people seem to be able to keep in their lane - which is why I stick to the paths with bikes and crash tested vehicles with airbags for the roads.

**sunspotbaby** · 07-05-2011, 11:33 AM

http://www.newsherald.com/news/hospi...y-injured.html

PANAMA CITY BEACH — Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a hit-and-run collision that killed a bicyclist Sunday shortly before midnight.

Marija Kostova, 22, was waiting for friends on her bicycle on the north side of the eastbound lane of Cabana Boulevard when her bicycle was hit by an unknown eastbound vehicle, according to a news release from FHP.

**futurebeachbum** · 07-05-2011, 12:05 PM

I briefly rode my bike in the bike lanes of Hwy 98. I got off of 98 as fast as I could and I found the experience thoroughly unnerving to do again.

With the right-of-way that 98 has it seems like they could put in a small path 15-20 feet off of the traffic lanes without much issue. It wouldn't have to be wide or paved. They could just use crushed gravel.

**Alicia Leonard** · 07-05-2011, 12:06 PM

I was taught many moons ago to ride facing traffic and not ride with the traffic, least you get hit. Was that right or are cyclist taught to ride with the flow, not against it.

**Zebraspots** · 07-05-2011, 12:13 PM

You are supposed to walk against traffic and bike with traffic.

**SneakyPete** · 07-05-2011, 12:16 PM

I believe the law requires that cyclists ride with the flow of traffic and abide by the same traffic laws as all other vehicles on the road. I know it seems like riding toward traffic would give you a "heads up" of approaching danger, in reality, you wouldn't have time to react if a car were bearing down on you. I know there are other practical reasons for the law, but I'm not an experienced cyclist, so maybe someone will pop in to educate us!

**Lake View Too** · 07-05-2011, 12:23 PM

I believe, by law, if they are usiing a highway, they need to go with the traffic, and obey all the rules of the road. In answer to the poster who suggested a gravel bike path: no bicycler is going to use a gravel path. The reason they are on the highways in the first place is because of the smooth, straight pavement. I know it's sounds fanciful, but why couldn't someone just build a bicycler's parkway, somewhere out in the state forests somewhere, so that these people wouldn't feel compelled to tempt fate by attempting to ride so close to huge metallic boxes travelling at almost 100 miles per hour. The only way you're going to find me on one these crazy American highways is in a big metallic box with seatbelts and airbags and horsepower enough to try to avoid the crazies.

**LuciferSam** · 07-05-2011, 12:25 PM

I was self-taught to only ride on the sidewalk/bikepath, or on the road in areas of slow moving congested traffic where cars don't travel much above 25 mph. On narrow roads, there are definitely times that I will ride against traffic. I'll be the judge and do what I think is safest. I will never under any circumstances use toe clips.

**Teresa** · 07-05-2011, 01:13 PM

Originally Posted by futurebeachbum

I briefly rode my bike in the bike lanes of Hwy 98. I got off of 98 as fast as I could and I found the experience thoroughly unnerving to do again.

With the right-of-way that 98 has it seems like they could put in a small path 15-20 feet off of the traffic lanes without much issue. It wouldn't have to be wide or paved. They could just use crushed gravel.

you are smart to get the heck off 98! I'm telling you, that is not a bike lane. It is very, very small and is almost sharing the right hand lane with traffic. Not good enough for a bike, imo. There is plenty of room for a safe and separate bike lane to be built.

**beachmouse** · 07-05-2011, 03:14 PM

Originally Posted by Lake View Too

I know it's sounds fanciful, but why couldn't someone just build a bicycler's parkway, somewhere out in the state forests somewhere, so that these people wouldn't feel compelled to tempt fate by attempting to ride so close to huge metallic boxes travelling at almost 100 miles per hour.

It's one of the big uses of the rails-to-trails movement, which repurposes old railroad track and rightaway for public recreation. Unfortunately, the closest park like that to here runs north of Milton, FL.

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/gwt/guide...k_heritage.htm

**Waltonco.native** · 07-05-2011, 03:16 PM

We passed by just after the accident happened saturday morning, we were headed up to DeFuniak to get my dad to spend a day with us at the beach. 45 minutes later we are back to the macabe scene, with the white mens bike shoes still clipped to the pedals of the mangled bike and we knew the man must have died. A Mercedes and a van were parked on the inside lane and traffic was routed into the grassy medium. I will never again pass by a cyclist without thinking of the man that lost his life on 98. I know the young woman who hit this man is forever changed as well. Please, please cyclists: know hwy 98 is a very busy highway.

**soappedaler** · 07-05-2011, 04:40 PM

Here are the Florida bike laws. http://www.dot.state.fl.us/safety/pe...bikeLaws1.shtm

I ride on 98 to run errands and will still do it. When there's a sidewalk that's where I ride if not I stay in the bike lane. Shame that $600,000 plus was spent landscaping the medians on 98 a few years ago but not penny spent on a separate bike lane.

**Lake View Too** · 07-05-2011, 04:44 PM

Originally Posted by soappedaler

Here are the Florida bike laws. http://www.dot.state.fl.us/safety/pe...bikeLaws1.shtm

I ride on 98 to run errands and will still do it. When there's a sidewalk that's where I ride if not I stay in the bike lane. Shame that $600,000 plus was spent landscaping the medians on 98 a few years ago but not penny spent on a separate bike lane.

I thought that same thing when I saw all that landscaping go in the median. What a waste of money.

**scooterbug44** · 07-05-2011, 04:47 PM

Is building and maintaining a separate bike path on 98 something that the TDC is allowed to spend bed tax money on?

Sadly a separate path system is far more realistic than cars and bikes learning to co-exist like they do so many other places.

**Minnie** · 07-05-2011, 05:50 PM

I am confused about the newspaper report, it says the bicylist was on the shoulder and the driver was in the outside lane.

Isn't the shoulder on the right side of the highway and isn't the outside lane the left lane? Was he on the right or left side of the highway when hit?

**scooterbug44** · 07-05-2011, 05:58 PM

No, the right hand lanes are the outside lane. The 2 left lanes are the inside lanes.

The shoulder/3' bike lane is on the outside of the outside lanes. R L median L R

**scooterbug44** · 12-13-2011, 05:33 PM

SANTA ROSA BEACH – No charges will be filed against the driver whose vehicle struck and killed an Atlanta cyclist on U.S. Highway 98 last summer.
The media release issued by the Florida Highway Patrol had listed charges as pending. But homicide investigators could not determine where Frankel’s bicycle was when the collision occurred.
There were no witnesses to the actual collision except for Alford, whose initial statement indicated that he had swerved out in front of her Mercedes Benz, according to Lt. Steve Preston, spokesman for the Florida Highway Patrol.
She refused to submit to a follow-up interview with the homicide investigator.
“She has a constitutional right not to submit to the interview and she chose not to,” Preston said. “During the course of the investigation it was determined she was not talking on her cell phone and she was not texting.”
Alcohol was not a factor in the crash, he said.
Preston said that neither independent witnesses nor the debris field gave investigators clear information about where the collision had occurred. There were no gouges or scuff marks on the pavement, either.
“We were unable to determine the point of the crash,” Preston said.
Florida law requires cyclist to ride as close to the righthand side of the lane as possible. They are not required to ride in the shoulder, Preston said.
Three motorists reported seeing Frankel riding in the middle of the through lane prior to the accident. One motorist told troopers he had yelled out the window, urging Frankel to move over.
Preston said his agency took their findings to the state attorney’s office, which agreed with the decision not to charge Alford.

Read more: http://www.nwfdailynews.com/articles...#ixzz1gScZVNZ6

**tsutcli** · 12-14-2011, 07:41 AM

Sounds to me he got what he deserved. Anybody who rides a bike on 98 is stupid at best.

**Papa J** · 12-14-2011, 08:06 AM

Your insensitivity is incredible. A man is dead and his wife a widow through a tragic accident and you say he deserved it, where is your human compassion?