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Ghost Bike Ride in Ikeaville Sat Nov.14: Brandon Ortmann

You've probably heard about the death of a cyclist on Friday night, 9.18.2015, on Stuebenville Pike. Brandon Ortmann rode to his workplace (Uncle Sam's Subs in Robinson, near Bravo restaurant) to check his schedule, then departed via bike to his girlfriend's place in Oakdale. http://www.wpxi.com/news/news/local/24-year-old-killed-after-being-struck-while-riding/nnjK7/ He was riding on the shoulder of the wrong side of the road and was struck by an oncoming car. Original reports said he was struck by the passenger-side rear view mirror, later reports said he was struck by the front-right corner of the vehicle. A local videocam has a picture of the vehicle: a large white pickup with a four-door "king cab". No license info available, the police have not been able to locate the vehicle. The family is asking the public for help finding the vehicle. The family has agreed to placing a ghost bike at a major nearby intersection to raise public awareness. It'll probably be the ghost bike and a big blowup of the truck picture, along with the police phone number. Sorry to be so long-winded. 10am Sat. Nov.14, probably starting at the Enlow Trailhead of the Montour Trail. About a 9 mile ride, there's a big hill and a few moderate hills. Any questions OR advice please let me know. thanks! http://ridewithgps.com/routes/11040396
vannever
2015-11-03 16:00:23
also, if anybody has any advice or equipment that can print a really bike picture - either a banner or onto coraplast - that would be a welcome resource. thanks!
vannever
2015-11-03 16:01:48
I would make a facebook event for this, some way to get the word out, I'll try to be there if I can.
jason-pgh
2015-11-03 16:15:56
I'll try to be there as well. A king size four door white pickup? sounds like a typical fracking vehicle to me.
marko82
2015-11-03 18:56:16
Can we get that photo up on this thread?
stuinmccandless
2015-11-03 20:21:32
Friday 9/18/2015 at 7:50 pm there was a fatal hit-and-run crash on Steubenville Pike. Police are looking for a white GMC pickup truck, 2003-2007, with 4 full-size doors (king cab). At the time it had a white cap over the rear of the truck, and was pulling a black trailer. The vehicle had front end damage to the passenger-side headlight and door, and the passenger-side rearview mirror will be missing. Lt. Michael Hamm, North Fayette Police Dept 412.787.8900 personal cell 412.812.5823
vannever
2015-11-04 09:04:46
I was just biking near 7200 Steubenville Pike yesterday. Biking downhill from Steubenville Pike to the Montour Trail (street signs and Mapquest label it "Cliff Mine Rd" but Google labels it "Enlow Rd") is fast and fun. Biking uphill on that road is less pleasant, as the shoulders are small. @Vannevar: you say you want to "print a really bike picture". You might try http://www.artistsimageresource.org/what-we-do/ for printing services. They've been recommended to me by others but I haven't used them myself.
paulheckbert
2015-11-04 09:05:53
The additional details I've come across are just mind-numbing to me. Another young person leaves work and gets killed. His father had died a few years ago leaving the mother and sister and him. So now it's the mother and her remaining child. I stopped in several shops and spoke with local people out walking and only one of them was even aware of the death - and yet, the local police say their only hope is somebody recognizes the vehicle.
vannever
2015-11-04 09:10:48
This would again be a good use of front and rear video. Place a properly equipped bike somewhere near the edge of Steubenville Pike -- not in anyone's way, just where it would have good visibility -- and stand next to it, looking for a white pickup to go by, then yell out the plate number for the cameras. If the truck is still damaged, it should be visible. Aside from equipment, the biggest problem is time, just standing alongside the road watching for white trucks. What I can do, 15 miles away, is practice this art. The bit of Babcock in Shaler by the Shop'n Save has a profile similar to 7200 Steubenville, and has been trouble for me many times in the past.
stuinmccandless
2015-11-04 11:15:42
Stu I was out there today and was surprised to see 7 white king-cab pickups within a few miles of the crash. Seems like they're ubiquitous in the fracking industry.
vannever
2015-11-04 17:31:14
That would have been a great clue six weeks ago. I'm guessing the chances of that mirror and front corner being fixed, or driven 1,500 miles away, is now quite high.
stuinmccandless
2015-11-04 17:58:20
If it's a company vehicle, which I presume it would be, then someone probably reported hitting a dear to cover their tracks... if that's the case, the police should be able to figure it out (unless the employer covers for the driver).
headloss
2015-11-10 13:39:17
this is ON for Sat. Nov14 at 10am. at North Fayette Volunteer Fire Dept Park-and-Ride, 7678 Steubenville Pike, Oakdale, PA 15071. Media should be at that address no later than 10:20 for speakers and remarks. It's a short ride; start at 10am, done at 10:20. mapped at http://ridewithgps.com/routes/11055167. Folks looking for a post-ride might want to head down West Allegheny Road to the Enlow Trailhead on Montour Trail, and ride either Montour Trail or the Airport Connector. Weather looks 40F, 12knots wind, 15% chance precip. thanks!
vannever
2015-11-13 10:22:26
Zachary Chicko was found "guilty of causing an accident involving death or personal injury, driving with a suspended or revoked license and operating a vehicle without required financial responsibility" in the death of Brandon Ortmann. His sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 12. http://www.post-gazette.com/local/westmoreland/2017/07/18/Zachary-Chicko-guilty-2015-accident-bicyclist-killed-Brandon-Ortmann-North-Fayette/stories/201707180116 http://triblive.com/local/allegheny/12521907-74/new-kensington-man-found-guilty-for-role-in-fatal-bicycle-crash
paulheckbert
2017-07-18 14:11:23