BACA News 2006

On November 8, 2005, John Patrick Moody surrendered at the Little Rock District Court on a warrant charging him with leaving the scene of the accident in which Jason Pratt was killed. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette ran the following article:

Man surrenders on warrant in LR

BY JIM BROOKS ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE

A broken blinker light cover, a pair of curious neighbors, paint chips and cell phone records led Little Rock police to a 26-year-old law student as a suspect in an Aug. 6 traffic accident that left a bicyclist dead. On Tuesday, John Patrick Moody of 2 Crestmont Drive surrendered at Little Rock District Court on a warrant charging him with leaving the scene of the accident in which Jason Pratt, 29, was killed. Moody, a law student at South Texas College of Law in Houston, pleaded innocent and was released on his own recognizance. Leaving the scene of an accident resulting in injury or death is a Class D felony punishable by up to six years in state prison. Little Rock attorney Sam Perroni of Little Rock, who represents Moody, said his client was innocent and expressed sympathy for Pratt, his family and friends. "It's always very unfortunate when someone loses their life in an accident," Perroni said. According to an affidavit in support of the warrant, a witness reported seeing a man shortly after the accident unloading beer bottles from a green Land Rover. Police later recovered the vehicle owned by Moody's father, Ed Moody and obtained evidence tying the vehicle to Pratt's death. Early on the morning of Aug. 6, Jim Stanton, who lives in the 6900 block of W. Markham Street was awakened by a noise, checked his clock and noticed it was 4:36 a.m., detective Ronnie Smith wrote in the affidavit. Stanton went back to sleep, but his recollection later allowed police to narrow down the time the accident occurred, police said. Meanwhile, between 5:15 and 5:30 a.m., another person identified only as Witness A in Smith's affidavit was awakened by the sound of a vehicle with a flat tire. "Immediately, Witness A heard what sounded like the clanging sound of beer bottles being tossed into the dumpster," Smith wrote. "All this activity took place on the parking lot just south of Witness A's location." Police later identified the area as the parking lot of the Bank of the Ozarks at 7500 Cantrell Road. The man told detectives he saw two men in the parking lot, including a white male unloading an ice chest out of the back seat of a Land Rover and putting a pack of beer into the trunk of a dark colored Ford Mustang. The two men then left the bank parking lot in the Mustang, leaving the Land Rover in the lot with a flat tire. Shortly after 6 a.m., a caller reported that a man was laying in the yard of a house in the 6900 block of West Markham Street, next to a bicycle. Officers discovered Pratt's body lying near a tree in the yard. "Officers collected three pieces of a broken orange plastic at the scene," Smith wrote. On Aug. 8, Witness A was again awakened at an early hour and looked outside to see another vehicle parked next to the Land Rover, Smith wrote in the affidavit. As the witness watched, he saw the Land Rover and a silver sport utility vehicle pull from the parking lot of the bank. The witness then called 911 to report the suspicious activity and police were sent to the lot. A Little Rock police officer spoke with the two men, who told him they were fixing a flat tire. A few minutes later, two other police officers talked to the men changing the tire, and noted yellow paint on the Land Rover's suspension coil spring. The unidentified witness later picked John Patrick Moody out of a police photographic lineup as the man he saw looking through the front passenger side of the Land Rover with a flashlight in the early morning hours of Aug. 6, the affidavit reports. The witness later identified William Lawson Moody's photo as the man he saw unloading the ice chest from the Land Rover and into the Ford Mustang. Police said a check of records from the state revenue office revealed that William Moody has a Ford Mustang registered in his name. Investigators checked the license plate number of the Land Rover, finding that the vehicle's owner was Ed Moody. Police spoke with Ed Moody, who said he had been out of the country on vacation and his son John had been using the vehicle. "Mr. Ed Moody also advised that his son had called him on [Aug. 6] in the morning hours and asked him about the jack and spare tire because he had a flat tire," Smith wrote. Police obtained a search warrant and retrieved the Land Rover on Aug. 17. Crime scene specialists collected the broken pieces of the Land Rover's passenger side blinker light casing, and state crime laboratory reports reveal the pieces matched the glass pieces recovered from the accident scene. "These items were at one time joined," Smith wrote. But the glass items were not the only pieces of evidence connecting the vehicle to the accident. "Two layers of paint recovered from the victim's backpack and the metal ring from the bicycle were microscopically and analytically similar to the known paint sample from the 1997 Land Rover," the affidavit continues. After police impounded the vehicle, detectives received a call from Perroni, who told them that neither Ed Moody, nor his sons William or John would agree to be interviewed by investigators. Police also subpoenaed cell phone records, revealing that on Aug. 6, John Patrick Moody placed a phone call to a cell phone used by his brother, William Lawson Moody. The time of that call was 4:40 a.m., four minutes after the estimated time of the accident that killed Pratt.

BACA issued the following response upon learning of the arrest:

BACA is very pleased to learn of the arrest of a suspect in the hit and run incident that resulted in the death of cyclist Jason Pratt. We would like to applaud the efforts of both the Little Rock Police Department and the Prosecutor's Office in this matter. BACA received outstanding support from the Police Department in arranging for a $2,500 reward fund for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for this crime.

BACA hopes that this arrest sends a signal that the cycling community is prepared to take immediate and meaningful action in response to incidents such as this. As always, BACA urges motorist to use extreme caution when cyclists are present and for cyclists to obey all traffic laws. BACA promotes Sharing the Road with bicyclist and other legitimate road users. BACA also supports the continued and increased development of bicycling safe routes for recreation, commuting and other compatible activities.

We look forward to a speedy resolution of this matter through the legal system and hope this arrest will bring closure to this tragic event for Jason Pratt's family and for the entire cycling community. BACA would like to stress that the arrested individual should be presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Early morning on August 6, 2005, Jason Pratt was struck and killed by a hit and run driver at Hughes Street and West Markham. According to officials from the Little Rock Police Department, Jason was 29 years old and an avid cyclist. On the morning of the incident, Mr. Pratt was riding his bike down Markham Avenue on his way to help a friend move. The Little Rock Police Department is currently investigating the incident.

BACA members immediately responded to this tragedy. Several members offered to underwrite a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the driver. BACA members were in contact with the Little Rock Police Department, including its media person Sgt. Hastings, and the investigator, Mike Verckler, to obtain information about the incident. We have also tried to contact Jason's family BACA Vice President Monty Cole worked diligently to organize our response to this incident.

On Monday, August 15, 2005, at 1:00 p.m. BACA held a press conference at the steps of the Little Rock Police Department. Over 20 BACA members attended, many wearing their yellow BACA t-shirts. In addition, we displayed a new Share the Road banner. Television stations 4, 7, 11 and 16, as well the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, attended the press conference. At the press conference, Monty announced that we are offering a reward of $2500 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for Jason's death.

The television stations aired the press conference on the local 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. news that evening. The Democrat Gazette had an article in Tuesday's Arkansas section. Already, as a result of the press, we have received additional pledges to the reward fund, as well as an e-mail from a close friend of Jason's who appreciated our efforts. Thanks to all who participated. Sgt. Hastings addressed the media, followed by Monty's remarks. Ken Gould, President of BACA, then spoke briefly about the River Trail. Below are the remarks Monty gave at the press conference:

First, we would like to thank the Little Rock Police Department and Sgt. Terry Hastings for their assistance. Good Afternoon. My name is Monty Cole and I am the Vice President of Bicycle Advocacy of Central Arkansas- Commonly known as BACA or the folks in the yellow T-shirts...... As you know, on August 6- near Markham and Hughes Street- Little Rock cyclist Jason Pratt was struck and killed by a hit and run driver. His tragic death has deeply touched and saddened the entire cycling community -each of us knowing that we a vulnerable to the same type of violent & cowardice act. Over the past few years, the number of cyclists using the roadways in central Arkansas has grown rapidly. People are discovering- or rediscovering- the joy of riding their bicycles as both a means of recreation and as a means of transportation. Many of us, who had not ridden bikes since childhood, have learned that riding our bikes brings back the best memories of our youth- as we again experience the same sense of freedom and exhilaration now- as we sensed then. We have no doubt that Jason felt the same sense of childhood exhilaration and freedom as he commuted to his friend's house that tragic morning. Incomprehensibly, Jason's life was ended by a hit and run driver who, after striking Jason's bike, did not even have the humanity to stop and contact authorities, or attempt to render aid. This senseless act has lead Bicycle Advocacy of Central Arkansas, through the compassion and generosity of its members and supporters, to offer a $2,500 reward for information leading the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for Jason Pratt's death. Anyone with information concerning Jason's death should contact the Little Rock Police Department, at 371-4636. We originally announced a reward of $1,500- but due to the overwhelming response to our efforts we received a large number of additional donations and have increased the reward to $2,500. By offering this reward, the friends and members of BACA are clearly stating that we will not tolerate this type of criminal act. BACA will continue to work diligently to protect the rights of cyclists and to promote bicycle safety and education. As the number of people riding bicycles continues to grow, both drivers and cyclists must find ways to Share The Road. Motorist are urged to be alert for cyclists and use extreme caution when passing. We urge cyclists to follow all traffic laws and to always wear a certified cycling helmet when riding. Statistics prove the bicycle helmets save lives. According to the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute- 2/3 of all bicycle related fatalities involve traumatic brain injury and anywhere from 45-80% of those fatalities could be prevented by use of appropriate helmets.

We would like to thank everyone for attending--- we are offering free Share The Road bumper stickers while they last and will happy to answer any questions.

BACA MEMBERS LEARN OF PLANS FOR THE CONVERSION OF THE ROCK ISLAND RAILROAD BRIDGE

Skip Rutherford, Chair of the William J. Clinton Foundation, spoke to about 70 people at the December 1, 2005, BACA meeting about plans to convert the old Rock Island Railroad bridge, located at the Clinton Presidential Center, to a pedestrian-bicycle walkway. Although funding for the bridge is almost complete, the Foundation is seeking support through the sale of pavers to be placed on the bridge. For more information, see www.clintonfoundation.org. Completion of the bridge at the Presidential Center is essential for completion of the River Trail loop, as it will form the eastbound link between the Little Rock and North Little Rock Trails.

On October 6, 2005, Channel 11, KTHV, had as a lead story on its 10 p.m. news a story on bicycle commuting. Featured prominently in the story was Ken Gould, President of BACA. For a written summary of the story or to view the video, go to www.todaysthv.com, and enter commuting in the THV Story Search.

If you've been on the River Trail lately, you probably noticed some changes. On both the Little Rock and North Little Rock sides there are signs posted with "Rules of the Trail." Next time you're on the trail, take a moment to read the sign. BACA members suggested a number of the rules.

In addition, the kiosks donated by BACA members Gene and Linda Pfeifer now have the trail rules along with information about the trails posted on them.

As you're riding on the North Little Rock side on the road from the railroad tracks to the area by the bluffs, you will notice some "Share the Road" signs thanks to North Little Rock Alderperson and BACA member Charlie Hight. These are the type of signs we hope to have placed around Pulaski County. Check the Share the Road link for additional information about the Share the Road campaign.

The Sierra Club of Arkansas honored BACA with its Outstanding Environmental Organization of the Year award. Over 20 BACA members joined the over 220 people who attended the annual Conservation Awards Banquet, held March 12, 2005, at the William J. Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock. The award is a beautiful Raku pot made by Clyde Bailey.

Many thanks to the Sierra Club for the honor.

BACA members Ron Rizzardi and Doug Pope have teamed together to post bicycle commuter routes on our website. They can be found at the Bike to Work link. We need more routes in the Central Arkansas area. If you have a route you are interested in sharing, please follow the directions for posting that are contained in the Discussion Forums/Bike to Work/Bicycle route (designated by a sticky).

Many thanks to Ron and Doug for their hard work in providing this extremely useful feature to our website.

On February 22, 2005, about a dozen BACA members attended the Pulaski County Quorum Court meeting to present a plaque in appreciation of all the work the Quorum Court has done to promote trail development in the County. The plaque, in the shape of the State of Arkansas, reads as follows: "In grateful appreciation to the Pulaski County Quorum Court and County Judge Buddy Villines for making Pulaski County a more attractive and liveable community through development and promotion of multi-purpose trails and related facilities, especially the Dam Bridge." After a brief speech by BACA President Ken Gould, BACA Board Member Mark Taylor presented T-shirts to the Quorum Court members.