Dr. Mike McClurkan, a resident of our community for over 30 years, was riding his bike on Holly Road July 4, 2009 and was killed. Tragically, this was an accident that resulted from a driver who was driving illegally on a suspended license. However, according to current law there was no legal nexus connecting this accident and the death.

McClurkan was a family friend and is missed in our community by hundreds, if not thousands. In full disclosure, I am the family attorney handling legal matters as result of his death.

The first phase of the judicial process is over. A sentence has been ordered by the judge, and financial restitution for the family will be reviewed by the court in the near future. Many have been publically outspoken (Kitsap Blogs) on the leniency of the sentence. However, this is not a discussion for this article.

Although bitter and emotionally scarred by the lack of justice available, the wife of Dr. McClurkan and her family are taking a positive step toward a measure to ensure that this husband and father’s death will not be in vain. The goal is to amend state law so that future bicyclists and pedestrians will be better protected on our roadways or the driver will pay the consequences.

Mrs. McClurkan is committed to working to amend and strengthen laws in protecting bicyclists and, if appropriate, punishing drivers who have killed pedestrians or bicyclists. State Rep. Christine Rolfes and Kitsap County Prosecutor Russ Hauge are to be commended in their support for this amendment and have agreed to assist in this legislative project.

Interested citizens can contact either Mrs. McClurkan at carolynmcclurkan@yahoo.com or Ed Wolfe at ed@wolfelawoffices.com for more information on how to help.

Edward Wolfe

Bremerton