[BikeLongmont] Loveland cyclist killed

[David Oliver]

       From the Loveland Reporter-Herald



      Joe Jabaily dies from injuries

By Pamela Dickman
Reporter-Herald Staff Writer

Joe Jabaily died Monday morning at Denver Health Medical Center from 
injuries he suffered in a car-bicycle collision.

The Loveland neurologist was crossing U.S. 34 on Boyd Lake Avenue about 
8 a.m. Sunday as part of a triathlon when the crash occurred.

Police said a Loveland police officer was directing traffic at the 
intersection but thought the car had time to make it through the 
intersection before the bicycle.

Services are planned for Friday.

Jabaily seriously hurt

By Jeremy Kempter and Pamela Dickman
Reporter-Herald Staff Writers

Joe Jabaily was beginning the cycling portion of a triathlon Sunday when 
a collision on U.S 34 left him struggling for his life.

After being flown to Denver Health Medical Center, the Loveland 
neurologist found himself on the other end of the operating table.


Jabaily

While details about his injuries were not available from hospital 
officials, a spokeswoman did say Jabaily, an unaffiliated candidate for 
the State House of Representatives in District 51, was in critical 
condition at the Denver hospital.

"It's not real good," said Melissa Adams, a friend who drove to Denver 
from Loveland on Sunday night to find out about Jabaily.

"He's not conscious," she said through tears. "It's the brain they're 
worried about. He could have some brain damage. They're not sure which 
way it'll go."

Jabaily suffered multiple broken bones and may have lost oxygen to his 
brain, Adams said.

Jabaily's son, Buck, confirmed that his father is in critical condition. 
"Right now he is stable, but that could change at any moment," he said 
Sunday night.

"Joe is surrounded by his family who have traveled the country to be 
with him. We continue to hope for the best," he said, adding that the 
family thanks the community for thoughts and prayers on his father's 
behalf.

Jabaily's wife and three of his four grown children were at the 
hospital. The fourth, a daughter, was expected to arrive today.

"Everybody is just praying for him, and his family is just praying for 
the best," Adams said.

Jabaily was one of about 130 participants in the Loveland Sertoma Splash 
and Dash Triathlon, which crossed U.S. 34 on County Road 9 (Boyd Lake 
Avenue).

As he began crossing the four-lane highway about 8 a.m., Jabaily's 
northbound bicycle collided with an eastbound Ford Focus.

Two Loveland police officers -- Jameson Gartner and Sgt. Ben Hurr -- 
were directing traffic in the intersection.

Hurr, who was handling eastbound traffic, reportedly thought the Focus 
had time to make it through the green light before the bicycle, police 
said.

"The officer thought the car would go through, then the bicycle would go 
through, and there would be no problem," said Sgt. Rae Bontz, spokes-man 
for the Loveland Police Department.

However, Hurr apparently misjudged the timing.

As Mildred McCloy of Loveland drove through the intersection, Jabaily's 
northbound bicycle collided with her car, officials said.

Details such as speeds and whether the bicycle hit the car or vice versa 
were not available Sunday. Police did say Jabaily was wearing a helmet.

"At an intersection where officers are, the cyclist has the right of 
way, unless otherwise told," said Warren Lemerich, head official for USA 
Triathlon, which insures the event. "From everything that I've gotten 
from this, the officer failed to stop (the driver of the car)."

Because a Loveland officer was directing traffic, police called the 
Colorado State Patrol to investigate the accident. The investigating 
trooper could not be reached.

Authorities do not expect any tickets to be issued.

"At this point, I have no reason to believe that anybody's going to be 
cited," Bontz said.

The triathlon, in its first year, was organized by Sertoma (which stands 
for "service to mankind") to raise money for charities.

"It's ironic he was hurt doing one of the things he loves the most -- 
bicycling," said Dan Johnson, Thompson School District superintendent 
and friend of Jabaily.

"We're all going to be thinking about him and praying for him that ... 
he'll be back to full health soon."

As word of Jabaily's accident spread, his friends began calling each 
other and the hospital. Some shed tears speaking about Jabaily while 
others simply lowered their saddened voices.

"We are just shocked about the news," said Clifford Nemeth, Loveland 
doctor and friend of Jabaily.

"It's clearly devastating news."

The accident surprised those who organized the event.

Organizer Dan Storey said this is the first such incident in 10 
triathlons the group has held.

"We have six cops out here so we have the safest course possible," 
Storey said. "We have permits, signs that say a race is going on. We've 
taken every precaution."

However, some participants in the triathlon said they are well aware of 
the dangers.

"Probably one in five triathletes has been hit or knows someone who has 
been hit by a car," said John Marosi of Aurora.

Camie Larson of Fort Collins, the first female to cross the finish line, 
said, "I think anyone who trains a lot knows that is something that can 
happen. It could have been anyone.

"I don't know how it could have happened when they have that 
intersection marshaled. Although, when I came through they barely got 
cars stopped."

Local News Editor Jackie Hutchins contributed to this report.

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