Cyclist Hit Talks To News 5

Alabama Dui New information about the man accused of hitting 3 bicyclists while driving drunk.

by Kimberly Curth

Published: Mon, August 24, 2009 - 4:10 pm CST Last Updated: Mon, August 24, 2009 - 4:34 pm CST

New information about the man accused of hitting 3 bicyclists while driving drunk. Bradford Maples' father says his son is a Marine who returned home from Iraq in the Spring after 3 tours of duty. Maples is accused of hitting Tracey Wall, Angela and Craig Ross Saturday morning while they were riding on County Road 1 near Point Clear. Alabama State Troopers say their injuries are not life threatening. Maples is now charged with DUI. We talked with Wall from his hospital bed, "I remember 2 things, looking up and seeing my friend's wife with blood coming down her face and then being put on a helicopter and either I was shaking or the helicopter itself was shaking, but those are the only 2 things I really remember from the whole ride," said Wall. Bradford Maples' father, who is an attorney in Mobile, declined an on-camera interview, but he did send us a statement, "our family is elated to learn that Mr. Wall is doing so well and that his injuries are not nearly as serious as they might have been. We also want to publicly thank our many friends who have called and written with expressions of concern and support. As far as the DUI is concerned, this is a matter for the courts, and we would only like to remind your viewers that so long as we have a country governed by laws, a charge, in and of itself, is not evidence," said Richard Maples.

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Mike x51 Says:

Tue, Aug 25, 2009 at 1:10 pm

Eww looks like his face with skinned by the pavement. That has to be one of the most painful things I can think of.

claycitymadness Says:

Tue, Aug 25, 2009 at 12:59 pm

its probably in dads name which would lead to liability in a civil proceeding. dad probably has more assets than son

latebloomer Says:

Tue, Aug 25, 2009 at 12:36 pm

Why does it matter whose name the car is in?

claycitymadness Says:

Tue, Aug 25, 2009 at 12:04 pm

bet they really pull all the guns out to beat the public intox charge so he can apply for youthful offender status. wonder whos name the car was in. wonder how soon today they will be at the courthouse trying to change it, wonder if it will get backdated somehow.even if it was inappropriate for the maples family to issue a press release the last few sentences were over the top. lets hope he cant escape the criminal OR the civil penalties for his actions. it doesnt matter who he hit or who hit the teacher, its all still a tragedy for ALL including the young driver.

SamRock Says:

Tue, Aug 25, 2009 at 11:24 am

He’s right. A “charge” is not evidence. But 3 people laid up in the hospital IS. CockyPop will have his hands full with his ...marine sons case.

latebloomer Says:

Tue, Aug 25, 2009 at 8:20 am

Does anyone know how to find out when Maples’ trial is next week on the public intoxication charges from July 3?

ickthus Says:

Tue, Aug 25, 2009 at 12:00 am

I do believe Mr. Wall was in the USMC. He is a great guy, fine teacher and a good father. I think that trumps more than a few tours in the sand. Flying the flag might have got you some thing with the public drunk but I’m with you on the point it should have been left out on this, just no way to do any damage control. Mr. Wall is right, it doesn’t need to happen again. The judge can see that happens.

Razorsharp Says:

Mon, Aug 24, 2009 at 7:56 pm

Yeah, I noticed that too, latebloomer. Seems to me that a veteran should conduct himslf more appropriately while in public…he is, after all, held to a higher standard. So, does that excuse anyone who is a veteran if they break the law or commit a crime? We are all human, indeed, but wrong is wrong, regardless. If this young man wants to drink himself into oblivion at home in private, that is his choice, but when he, or anyone for that matter, chooses to operate a vehicle on a PUBLIC ROAD while intoxicated and nearly kills three people, then everyone should be concerned. I feel terrible that those innocent people just out riding their bikes were the random victims of another persons careless and wreckless behavior. It is almost disrespectful to even mention that he is a veteran…do you think the military would be proud of what he has done?

latebloomer Says:

Mon, Aug 24, 2009 at 7:04 pm

Funny how his handlers got the “Iraq veteran” angle mentioned, but still not a word about his arrest July 3 for public intoxication, at 5 a.m. WPMI finally mentioned it, said he goes to trial for that next week. There was also mention of some damages to crops (???) Strangely, now WPMI’s website seems to be down. Coincidence? I wonder.

shrimpfire Says:

Mon, Aug 24, 2009 at 5:38 pm

IF U HIT SOMEBODY AND IT IS DETERMINED U R UNDER THE INFLUENCE THEN U R IN DEEP DONKEY DOO.