GULF STREAM, Fla. — Citations were dismissed for the driver responsible for crashing into cyclists along A1A in Gulf Stream in January.
Many of the victims are still recovering from their injuries three months later. Delray Beach fire officials said seven people were taken to the hospital.
"It's very disappointing," Richard Gertler, a cyclist and friend of the victims, said. "It's very upsetting to many people. We're a bit outraged. They've been hospitalized for months. Some of them have not been able to work."
Why were the charges dismissed?
Court records show that the Florida Highway Patrol trooper who cited the 77-year-old woman did not show up to court on April 3.
WPTV contacted the FHP, which said it's looking into the details of the court case.
"There's no accountability, there's no punishment for her, yet there's a very severe punishment for the people that she struck," Gertler said.
The woman was facing three traffic citations: failing to maintain her lane, no proof of insurance and unknowingly driving with a suspended or revoked license.
According to FHP, the woman had a seizure, epilepsy or blacked out at the time of the crash.
Gertler was upset that the woman wasn't tested for drug or alcohol.
WPTV asked the FHP, which sent the following statement:
"For an individual to be forced to comply with a drug test or for DUI, there must be probable cause; in this case, a drug recognition expert determined the driver not to be impaired."
WPTV reporter Joel Lopez called a phone number believed to belong to the woman, but she did not answer.
In February, Lopez interviewed Diego Rico, one of the cyclists who said he had to get 20 stitches to his knee, had a shattered pelvis and a major tear to his rotator cuff.
Region S Palm Beach County
Victim of bicycle crash says charges against driver 'not enough'
"At this point, I don't even know what to ask the lady," Rico said.
Gertler said his friends are looking for an attorney to help sue the driver for loss of income, medical bills, and pain and suffering.
"This is not a traffic ticket where someone didn't stop at a stop sign," Gertler said. "This is a very severe case."
Since the crash, Gertler and other advocates have launched the Florida Share the Road Coalition, going town to town and asking leaders to improve road safety for cyclists.
