Victim’s family wants 2nd driver charged in cyclist’s death

By Admin on December 18, 2009

The driver of a van who rammed another vehicle at a high rate of speed and then crashed into and killed a bicyclist was charged with murder, but relatives of the victim questioned why the second motorist – who allegedly initiated the argument – also wasn’t charged.

Tyrice Pryor, 21, was ordered held Thursday on $2 million bail in the murder of Jepson Livingston, who was sent airborne by the collision as he biked to fill out job applications Tuesday afternoon.

At Pryor’s bond hearing, prosecutors said the incident had started earlier Tuesday when the undisclosed other driver, angry that Pryor had bought a vehicle he wanted, smashed the windows out of that vehicle.

About 12:20 p.m., that driver spotted Pryor parked in a van in a currency exchange lot in the 3800 block of West Diversey Avenue and pulled in to confront him, said Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney Angel Essig.

According to Essig, the other driver began a  quarrel, prompting Pryor to ram his van into the driver’s vehicle. The other driver drove out of the lot, made a U-turn and bumped Pryor’s van, she said.

The other driver then drove off, “attempting to end the conflict,” Essig said.

But Pryor gave chase  and rammed into the back of the driver’s vehicle, sending it  careering across oncoming traffic and crashing into an auto body shop, according to the prosecutor.

Pryor’s vehicle crashed into a pole and then struck Livingston, 32, on the bicycle, Essig said.

After the bond hearing, Livingston’s relatives called for the other driver to be charged as well.

“It’s stupid – someone lost their life because of these two idiots,” said Edward Ziemba, 48, Livingston’s uncle. “Everybody involved, including the (driver) in the other van, should face justice.”

Ziemba called the death senseless and said a video from a nearby business showed the callousness of those involved.

“There was no compassion for my nephew when he was laying on the ground dying,” said Ziemba, his voice choking as tears welled in his eyes.

Pryor’s brother, Kenneth, 31, agreed that the other driver should be held responsible.

“The police  are taking him out of the situation and making him a victim to trump up charges against my brother,” he said.

The family said visitation for Livingston will  be held from 3 to 9 p.m. Sunday in Christian Funeral Home,  3100 W. Irving Park Road, Chicago.

–Matthew Walberg

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