Arrest in Cycling-Fatality Case

Richard Allan Lee, charged with second-degree felony intoxication manslaughter in the July death of Austin cyclist Vilhelm Hesness, was arrested after several unsuccessful attempts outside his Austin home Tuesday by the Texas Department of Public Safety. Lee hit Hesness from behind as he was riding lawfully along Manchaca Road in far South Austin. Lee was later found to be under the influence of four potent and incompatible prescription drugs, including sedatives Xanax and Soma, as well as Zoloft, an anti-depressant, and meprobamate, a tranquilizer.

The case has renewed calls from the cycling community for stronger enforcement against motorists who endanger, injure, or kill bicyclists as more and more Austinites transport themselves by bike. Fred Meredith, a riding partner of Hesness, editor of Southwest Cycling News, and a longtime member of the Austin Cycling Association, said he had no criticisms of authorities’ pursuit of the case, though others faulted DPS delays in processing Lee’s blood test. "We accept a certain amount of mayhem out there and we realize that cyclists are more vulnerable than other vehicle drivers, but if somebody makes a mistake in their driving behavior that violates the law, they should be prosecuted," Meredith said. "We expect the same level of prosecution given to a motor vehicle or pedestrian case." Lee’s bond was set at $10,000.