Injured bicyclist’s family urges safety measures for Tantalus Drive

The family of a 33-year-old champion triathlete critically injured by a driver allegedly “drift racing” is calling for measures to prevent the all-too-frequent activity on Tantalus Drive.

The Altman family’s attorney, Rick Fried, said residents realize that, if properly placed, horizontal rumble strips on curves, round raised buttons called Botts’ dots, and speed bumps marked with fluorescent paint could slow or prevent drift racing.

Lectie Altman was bicycling down Tantalus with fellow cyclists from Boca Hawaii at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 25 when she allegedly was struck head-on by a Nissan sedan driver, who was allegedly racing with another driver when he lost control and veered onto the opposite side of the road.

Police arrested the 20-year-old Nissan driver, Taylor Liang, on suspicion of first-degree negligent homicide.

“We believe there were two other vehicles involved,” Fried said at a Friday news conference. He asks anyone who might know who was involved to call the police Traffic Division at 723-3413.

Altman, who works as a behavioral health specialist and a Realtor, was spared any brain injury, Fried said. He also dispelled rumors she was paralyzed.

But her future as a triathlete is in jeopardy.

Altman, in the prime of her training, has had four major surgeries to her hand, arm, hip and knee and has received skin grafts, Fried said. “She will be at Queen’s (Medical Center) for a long time to come.”