I was going to resurrect the “Why do you hate the Prius” thread, but since I had already commented in that, I felt what happened yesterday warranted a new one.

It finally happened- I was hit by a Prius. I was traveling IN THE BIKE LANE on my way to the Shady Grove metro station when I suddenly became airborne. I was hit square from behind, bounced off the hood, rolled over the top of the car and landed on the ground behind it. My helmet was smashed (instead of my head-thank God and Bell helmets), the bike a twisted pretzel, and all my belongings strewn across the debris field, included all the blinking red LEDs I wear on my back. I was able to get up and out of the street, started collecting my stuff when the ambulance came to take me to the trauma center. The cop that examined the scene said from the point of impact my body was thrown 40 feet. I can’t believe I’m alive. Of course I’m experiencing more pain than I’ve ever felt from the muscle strains, but once the road rash heals I should be just fine.

So why to I hate this Prius driver? Because he FLED THE SCENE! Fortunately another motorist chased him down and phoned in his tags, and the police got him late yesterday morning. He claims he didn’t know he hit me. I weigh 200 lbs, there were 2 dents in his hood, one from my shoulder, the other from my helmet, and he claims he didn’t notice. My only problem is I’ll probably be in the desert when the court hearing comes up- but I’ll deal with that through the Jag. This drivers swinish behavior is what I’ve observed in other Prius drivers when sharing the road with my bicycle.

This event occurred in almost the identical spot where I hit a fallen tree last September. I really can’t wait to get back to California-I think Maryland is trying to kill me.