Driver charged in investigation into Hamilton cyclist hit

Update: Hamilton police have confirmed the driver has been charged. In an email to Canadian cycling magazineA spokesperson said: “Hamilton Police can confirm that a collision involving a Toyota Tundra towing a trailer and a cyclist occurred on May 22, 2024. The driver was traveling down (WB) on Sydenham Rd (hill) when he also encountered three cyclists traveling in the same direction on Sydenham Rd. The cyclists used the lane and were probably traveling at a speed of approximately 50 km/h, which is the speed for this lane. The driver began to overtake the cyclist, but the lead cyclist and the right rear of the trailer collided, causing the cyclist to land on the paved curb.”

The driver of the pickup has been charged with unlawful passing.

Matthew Nicholson, a cyclist from Hamilton, Ontario, expressed disappointment at the lack of action after a pickup driver collided, leaving him seriously injured.

“I feel like I’ve lost all sense of justice and safety,” Nicholson told CBC Hamilton. The incident occurred on May 22 in Dundas, Ontario, resulting in a broken pelvis. Hamilton police have not yet confirmed whether charges will be filed against the driver.

An almost fatal close pass

Nicholson told how the driver allegedly accelerated and deliberately passed him and two others close, swerved within inches and hit him with the trailer. He was thrown from his bicycle and slid about 8 meters along the road.

“I thought I was going to die,” Nicholson said, describing the moment of impact. His brother stopped to call 911, while his friend chased the driver, passing him at a stop sign and urging him to wait for the police.

Driver then followed and filmed cyclists

Three days later, Nicholson and his girlfriend discovered the driver’s social media profiles and a YouTube channel showing a May 25 video of the driver, allegedly Tim Stevens, filming and harassing cyclists in Dundas. The video, posted by Stevens, has since come under scrutiny as the same person involved in Nicholson’s incident, although it has now been made private.

David Shellnutt, Nicholson’s attorney, expressed concern about the impact of the collision. “This incident is deeply disturbing and not an isolated incident,” Shellnutt said, highlighting Stevens’ alleged pattern of aggressive behavior toward cyclists. ‘Just three days after running Matthew off the road, Mr Stevens was back in the Sydenham Hill area. He stalked and harassed cyclists for 23 minutes, speeding, honking and shouting at a group of cyclists, filming as he rode, before eventually running a red light himself.”

A demand for justice

Nicholson and Shellnutt are calling for criminal charges of negligence and assault, in addition to careless driving, arguing the collision was intentional.

Hamilton police are actively investigating the incident, but have not yet confirmed whether charges will be filed against Stevens, according to CHCH News.