Kiter Screwed Over by US City Govn't - Express Your Outrage!

[marina c]

In July of 2009, David Horn, 46, former owner of XL Kites in Dallas, TX, was involved in a five car wreck involving a “T” city of Fort Worth transportation bus that took one life and critically injured two others. Police reports show the bus driver was at fault for failing to control his speed to avoid an accident. The T has denied all of Horn's claims but settled with others, though it won’t say why. This is outrageous!

Horn escaped his vehicle before fire consumed it. But he said $15,000 worth of kiteboarding equipment inside his Sport Utility Vehicle was incinerated. Today, Horn is physically and monetarily broke and most likely, will never kiteboard again. Doctors told him a mere slip and fall could cause him to become a quadriplegic or paralyze his diaphragm, requiring him to breathe with the aid of a machine for the rest of his life. Right now, he's just trying to keep his head above water. He wears a $1,500 back brace to help keep his back straight. He's exploring surgery options, but he said he hasn't received a dime from his claims. For the full story see this video interview http://cbs11tv.com/video/?id=54487@ktvt.dayport.com

With finances tighter than ever, Horn said this is the first month that he hasn't been able to pay his credit card bills. But he is working again. Horn is managing his friend’s shop, XL Kites in South Padre Island; but that's nearly 600 miles from home. He's been communicating with his wife through SKYPE.

Dallas kiteboarders are planning a march on City Hall to express their outrage about Horn’s treatment. Please help by writing, emailing or calling the mayor of Fort Worth. This could be any one of us and the effort is certainly worth a couple minutes of your time. Your support could make a world of difference in David’s future.

SAMPLE LETTER:

Date:

Attn: Mayor Mike Moncrief

Email: mike.moncrief@fortworthgov.org

817-392-6118 ph

817-392-6187 fax

RE: David Horn Accident involving T-Bus July 10, 2009 – Irresponsible Government Leadership!

Dear Mayor Moncrief,

On July 10, 2009, local resident and business owner David Horn was involved in a five-car collision, caused by a T-Bus in your district. The bus hit a car from the rear, killing that individual, and that car then crashed into Mr. Horn’s car, changing his life forever physically and professionally. While other claims have been settled, due to the fact that the bus driver was found to be at fault for not controlling his speed properly, Mr. Horn’s claims continue to be denied with no plausible explanation.

I have no interest in visiting the #1 tourist destination in Texas if your city treats its residents and visitors this way! I am appalled and disgusted with the City of Fort Worth’s treatment and denial of Mr, Horn and his claim. He has lost his business, is working in South Padre, 600 miles from his wife to make ends meet and should he slip or fall, could become a quadriplegic or paralyze his diaphragm, requiring him to breathe with the aid of a machine for the rest of his life. David is an avid sportsman who opened the first kiteboarding shop in the Dallas area, one of the fastest growing watersports in the world. A march on City Hall from your local kitesurfing constituents totaling 221 members and growing, is planned to protest this grave injustice.

As Mayor of Fort Worth, you have an obligation to protect your citizens. Please give your full attention to Mr. Horn’s case with the T-Authority. In reviewing the facts of this incident, there is no doubt that the T-Bus was 100 percent at fault for Mr., Horn’s accident and how government authorities can deny any responsibility for his claim is simply outrageous and wrong. He should be fully compensated to the full extent for the damages the city’s transit bus caused to his property and way of life.

Sincerely,

your name here

[ricki]

You really have to feel for David and what his family are going through. Please take a minute and send in an email, it may well do some good. Just put out another letter variant:
Date

Mayor Mike Moncrief
City of Fort Worth, Texas
1000 Throckmorton St.
Fort Worth, TX 76102
Email: mike.moncrief@fortworthgov.org
817-392-6118 ph 817-392-6187 fax

RE: David Horn Accident involving T-Bus July 10, 2009

Dear Mayor Moncrief,

On July 10, 2009, local resident and business owner David Horn was involved in a five-car collision, caused by a Fort Worth Transportation Authority Bus in your District. The bus hit a car from the rear, killing that individual, and that car then crashed into Mr. Horn’s car, changing his life forever physically and professionally. While other claims have been settled, due to the fact that the bus driver was found to be at fault for not controlling his speed properly, Mr. Horn’s claims continue to be denied with no plausible explanation.

Mayor Moncrief your major involvement in civic efforts and dedication to the betterment of fellow Texans through numerous board memberships is impressive. With such a strong working compassion for your constituents, I request that you intercede in this matter in favor of Mr. Horn. Sgt. Rodney Bangs, a spokesman for the Fort Worth Police Department stated "Based on the damage done to the vehicles, there was a significant impact." "The driver was traveling way too fast considering the slow traffic ahead of him."

I am appalled with the City of Fort Worth’s treatment and denial of Mr, Horn and his claim. He has lost his business, is working in South Padre, 600 miles from his wife to struggle to make ends meet and should he slip or fall, could become a quadriplegic or paralyze his diaphragm, requiring him to breathe with the aid of a machine for the rest of his life. David is an avid sportsman who opened the first kiteboarding shop in the Dallas area, one of the fastest growing watersports in the world. A march on City Hall by hundreds of residents in your district in support of Mr. Horn is planned to protest this grave injustice.

I request that you carefully review Mr. Horn’s case with the T-Authority. The $300,000 claim cap should be fully compensated to him for the damages the city’s transit bus caused to his person, property, family and way of life.

Sincerely,

(Letter revised with some edits by Marina)

[neil xrated]

Done and put it on my facebook page

[greg meintjes]

sent

[marina c]

Rick,
i like your letter better. Can you repost on kiteforum? Do you know any good petition websites?

[ricki]

Originally Posted by marina c

Rick,
i like your letter better. Can you repost on kiteforum? Do you know any good petition websites?

Sure will Marina, I will look one up and post it as well.

http://www.ipetitions.com/, I haven't used it but other kiters have.

[ricki]

"Deadly Fort Worth chain-reaction collision started when city bus hit SUV, police report says

A fatal multivehicle crash on Loop 820 on July 10 was started when a Fort Worth city bus for the disabled struck a Jeep Grand Cherokee, according to police reports. Rodney Wood, 36, the driver of the Jeep, was killed in the chain-reaction collision involving five vehicles on eastbound Northeast Loop 820 at Mark IV Parkway. The collisions started at 5:35 p.m.

According to police, the T driver said the Jeep slammed on its brakes. The bus then struck the Grand Cherokee, which then hit a Chevrolet TrailBlazer. A man in a Chrysler 300 said he tried to avoid a Dodge pickup coming from behind but was rear-ended. According to an earlier police account, the TrailBlazer also struck the pickup.

The police report cites failure to control bus speed as the cause of the accident. According to earlier police reports, the Jeep caught fire, which spread to the bus and the Chevy."
http://www.fortworthinjuryattorneybl...used-by-t.html


** The first 20 seconds of this video are worth watching showing the bus approach slowed or stopped cars in the left lane at speed:
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=870_1248467324



David's SUV on the right hit from behind by another car.


"In a live phone interview on CBS 11 News at 6pm, Fort Worth Transportation Authority operations manager Tony Johnson said, "It's our understanding that a vehicle stopped in front of the van. The van may have hit the other vehicles, which probably caused the vehicle to catch fire." All of the vehicles involved in the crash erupted in flames."
http://cbs11tv.com/local/fort.worth.t.2.1081236.html


"Based on the damage done to the vehicles, there was a significant impact," said Fort Worth police spokesman Sgt. Rodney Bangs. "The (T-bus) driver was traveling way too fast considering the slow traffic ahead of him."

and


David's SUV on the left

From: http://www.txcn.com/sharedcontent/dw....29e27a50.html[/quote]

Done !

[ricki]

Thanks! A bit more about the accident:

"Deadly Fort Worth chain-reaction collision started when city bus hit SUV, police report says

A fatal multivehicle crash on Loop 820 on July 10 was started when a Fort Worth city bus for the disabled struck a Jeep Grand Cherokee, according to police reports. Rodney Wood, 36, the driver of the Jeep, was killed in the chain-reaction collision involving five vehicles on eastbound Northeast Loop 820 at Mark IV Parkway. The collisions started at 5:35 p.m.

According to police, the T driver said the Jeep slammed on its brakes. The bus then struck the Grand Cherokee, which then hit a Chevrolet TrailBlazer. A man in a Chrysler 300 said he tried to avoid a Dodge pickup coming from behind but was rear-ended. According to an earlier police account, the TrailBlazer also struck the pickup.

The police report cites failure to control bus speed as the cause of the accident. According to earlier police reports, the Jeep caught fire, which spread to the bus and the Chevy."
http://www.fortworthinjuryattorneybl...used-by-t.html


** The first 20 seconds of this video are worth watching showing the bus approach slowed or stopped cars in the left lane at speed:
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=870_1248467324