Совет города Уотертаун рассмотрит выплату компенсации семье погибшей при падении с электровелосипеда

Watertown city council to consider settlement in Thompson Park e-bike crash that killed woman Council to vote on resolution authorizing settlement of claim filed by husband of Karen Hodge WATERTOWN, New York (WWNY) - The Watertown City Council is set to vote Monday on a resolution that would authorize a settlement of a claim filed by the husband of a woman who died following a bicycle crash in Thompson Park last summer. Resolution No. 5 on the August 17 council agenda authorizes a settlement of the claim of Jeffrey L. Hodge, individually and as administrator of the estate of Karen M. Hodge, deceased. Background on the crash and claim Karen Hodge, 66, died on July 12 after she and her husband were thrown from their e-bikes when they struck speed bumps on a park road leading to Gotham Street. Police said the couple was descending a hill when they hit the bumps. Karen Hodge suffered head injuries and died on the way to the hospital. Jeffrey Hodge suffered a broken clavicle and a fractured rib. A notice of claim was filed in state Supreme Court on behalf of Jeffrey Hodge against the city of Watertown and Jefferson County. The notice alleged the city and county were negligent because the speed bumps were dangerous and because no signs were in place to warn bicyclists of the hazard. Details from the notice of claim According to the notice, the Hodges were experienced e-bike riders who were unaware speed bumps had been installed on the road. “These speed bumps contained no cut-outs for bicyclists and extended all the way across the roadway,” the notice said. “No signs were placed in advance of the speed bumps to alert drivers or bicyclists to their presence.” The notice said the Hodges were on the crest of the hill and had turned off the bikes’ electric power for their descent. Jeffrey Hodge said he noticed yellow lines at the bottom of the hill but believed they marked a pedestrian crosswalk. The couple struck the speed bumps at approximately 22 miles per hour. The notice stated that Jeffrey Hodge initiated a proceeding to obtain judicial authorization to pursue a claim for conscious pain on behalf of his late wife, as well as a wrongful death claim on behalf of her estate. No dollar amount was listed in the notice, which is typical of notices of claim. The Monday meeting begins at 7 p.m. in City Council Chambers at 245 Washington St. Copyright 2026 WWNY. All rights reserved.