Injured HLP Cyclist: 'I'm Grateful to Be Alive'

More than one week after being struck by a motorist near the intersection of Avenue 50 and Buchanan Street, Highland Park cyclist Winona Wacker said she is still waiting for the Los Angeles Police Department to arrest the suspect she alleges intentionally ran her down.

"I have talked to LAPD a couple times, it is still currently in the investigation phase of the process," Wacker said. "I was informed that I can expect to hear from the detective soon, most likely today [Tuesday, June 7]. I have been kind of quiet so as to let the police do their job."

Wacker told Highland Park-Mount Washington Patch that the motorist who ran her down is not only still on the loose in the neighborhood, but is also apparently making no effort to hide his alleged actions.

"I was at last week, and the guy drove past me with the streak from my handlebars still along the passenger side of his vehicle," she said.  "My personal opinion is that it shows his arrogance and belief that he did nothing wrong."

According to Wacker, the incident took place on Friday, May 28. She said she was riding her bicycle near the intersection of Avenue 50 and Buchanan Street when the driver of a white convertible Volvo C70 began honking and yelling at her to get out of the road.

When Wacker did not comply with the driver's demands and instead told him she was entitled by the city's vehicle code to use the whole lane to protect her safety, he became enraged and began threatening her.

“He laid on his horn, then yelled back at me,  ‘You wanna test your weight against mine?’” Wacker said.  “ [He] continued blowing his horn, hit the gas and then sped up to run me down.”

Thanks to a Good Samaritan, Wacker said she was able to get the white convertible's license plate number, MOLSPRT. She said the motorist looked to be a white male in his mid-50s. 

Highland Park-Mount Washington Patch has left several calls with LAPD's Central Traffic Division, which is handling the case, but has yet to recieve an official response.

Wacker said that she's hopeful an arrest will be made soon, for her own sake and for the safety of local cyclists.

"This whole thing has been a nightmare," she said. "I'm grateful to be alive."