The Cupertino Courier

News Briefs

DA to pursue case in death of bicyclist

A San Jose man who the district attorney claims was the driver of a truck that killed a Cupertino bicyclist one year ago is facing a misdemeanor charge of vehicular manslaughter.

If convicted, the driver, Jon Nisby, could spend up to a year in jail and be fined up to $5,000.

In April the district attorney's office said it did not have enough evidence to charge Nisby, 39, in the death of Jeffrey Steinwedel on Stevens Canyon Road, just outside the Stevens Creek Quarry.

However, investigators continued looking into the incident and conducted additional interviews with witnesses. "We now believe we can go to court," Deputy District Attorney Tim McInerny said last week.

An investigation by sheriff's deputies earlier this year advanced a theory that the front bumper of the truck driven by Nisby hit the handlebars of Steinwedel's bike as he was riding on the far right-hand side of the bicycle lane along Stevens Canyon Road. They said they believe that Steinwedel then flipped and turned, striking the sidewall of the outer right rear tire, and was then thrown to the side of the road.

Steinwedel, 46, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators found scratches on the truck's fender that they said were most likely made by contact with a bicycle. Marks on a rear tire of the double-trailer rig matched those of a chain, sprocket and bicycle frame, they said.

Nisby told deputies at the time that he did not know if he had hit the bicyclist or not.

The case is now in the pretrial stage, according to McInerny. A pretrial hearing is scheduled for Jan. 29 in the Sunnyvale traffic court. He said a trial could come in either February or March.

CHS student rides Rose Parade float

Cupertino High School student and Special Olympics athlete Cheryl Avila will ride high atop the Kiwanis Float "Hav'n Fun on a Hay Ride" in the Pasadena Rose Parade on New Year's Day. Cowboy actor Hugh O'Brian will join Avila and three other athletes on the flower-covered horse-drawn wagon. Division 12 Kiwanis Clubs are covering the cost of Avila's trip to Southern California.

University Choir is looking for a few good men

The San Jose State University Chorale is seeking tenors and basses to participate in its music program.

The Chorale has been part of the San Jose State Music Conservatory for the past 11 years. Under the direction of Natasia Sexton, the group offers its members the opportunity to perform with the San Jose Symphony and at Villa Montalvo in Saratoga. Currently, they are rehearsing Carmina Burana, to be performed with the San Jose Cleveland Ballet.

Although the Chorale's membership consists of some alumni and current university students, anyone is encouraged to audition. Rehearsals are Tuesday evenings at 7 p.m.

Sexton will be holding auditions on Monday, Jan. 5, and Tuesday, Jan. 6, from 4 to 6 p.m. Any tenors or basses who would like to audition may phone 408/924-4647.

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