- Jan 7, 2002
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'Papa John' Hurt In Cycling Crash
Witness Says Book Thrown From Passing Pickup
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Well-known Louisville businessman John Schnatter and a national champion cyclist are in a hospital after a serious cycling accident that a witness said someone caused intentionally.
Schnatter, the founder of Papa John's Pizza, and cyclist Curtis Tolson were riding along Wolf Pen Branch Road in Eastern Jefferson County Wednesday night when they crashed, WLKY-TV reported.
According to a third cyclist in the group, Tracy Huber, someone in a passing car threw a large high school or college biology textbook out a passing pickup truck.
"We just made the first turn," Huber said. "We were coming down the hill about 25 mph. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw an object fly up out of this truck."
The book struck Tolson, causing him to tumble off his bike, Huber said.
"It hit Curtis in the neck and caused him to go airborne, and when he fell, John went over top of him and landed on his back," she said.
Huber said she will never forget the sound of her friend's helmet cracking as his head hit the pavement.
"I turned around. Curtis was lying motionless on the ground, and John was up walking around kind of stunned," she said.
Huber and other members of the Louisville Cycling Club said the number of incidents involving rage against cyclists has increased in recent years.
"Books are heavy enough not to become airborne out of the back of the pickup truck, Huber said. "It's obvious the object was thrown and aimed right at one of our heads."
Other members of the club said cigarettes have been thrown at them and drivers have intentionally swerved toward them.
"They realize how vulnerable we are," cyclist Tim Chilton said. "We can't turn around and chase them down and they know they can get away with it and that's precisely why they do it."
Jerry Gordon said he hopes police throw the book at the offenders when they are caught.
"I'd like to see them prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and be made an example of," Gordon said. "Someone should say 'Hey, you don't do this and get away with it.'"
Police are continuing to investigate the crash, and they are asking anyone with information to come forward.
Huber said she gave the textbook to an officer at the scene of the crash. However, investigators contacted Thursday by WLKY were not aware of it.
Witness Says Book Thrown From Passing Pickup
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Well-known Louisville businessman John Schnatter and a national champion cyclist are in a hospital after a serious cycling accident that a witness said someone caused intentionally.
Schnatter, the founder of Papa John's Pizza, and cyclist Curtis Tolson were riding along Wolf Pen Branch Road in Eastern Jefferson County Wednesday night when they crashed, WLKY-TV reported.
According to a third cyclist in the group, Tracy Huber, someone in a passing car threw a large high school or college biology textbook out a passing pickup truck.
"We just made the first turn," Huber said. "We were coming down the hill about 25 mph. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw an object fly up out of this truck."
The book struck Tolson, causing him to tumble off his bike, Huber said.
"It hit Curtis in the neck and caused him to go airborne, and when he fell, John went over top of him and landed on his back," she said.
Huber said she will never forget the sound of her friend's helmet cracking as his head hit the pavement.
"I turned around. Curtis was lying motionless on the ground, and John was up walking around kind of stunned," she said.
Huber and other members of the Louisville Cycling Club said the number of incidents involving rage against cyclists has increased in recent years.
"Books are heavy enough not to become airborne out of the back of the pickup truck, Huber said. "It's obvious the object was thrown and aimed right at one of our heads."
Other members of the club said cigarettes have been thrown at them and drivers have intentionally swerved toward them.
"They realize how vulnerable we are," cyclist Tim Chilton said. "We can't turn around and chase them down and they know they can get away with it and that's precisely why they do it."
Jerry Gordon said he hopes police throw the book at the offenders when they are caught.
"I'd like to see them prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and be made an example of," Gordon said. "Someone should say 'Hey, you don't do this and get away with it.'"
Police are continuing to investigate the crash, and they are asking anyone with information to come forward.
Huber said she gave the textbook to an officer at the scene of the crash. However, investigators contacted Thursday by WLKY were not aware of it.
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