Martin Nelis was 54 years old, the City of Pleasant Hill’s Public Information Officer, and in the prime of his life when he went for his usual lunch time bike ride in Lafayette on August 2, 2018. A large commercial vehicle, which had just left a nearby construction project, was traveling in the same direction as Martin was riding. As the truck approached Martin, it violated California’s 3 Feet for Safety Law, and struck and killed the cyclist as it passed him. Martin left behind 3 beautiful adult children who are represented by Altair Law partners Josh White and Kevin Morrison. Altair filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the truck driver responsible for Martin’s death, as well as the developer and contractor of the construction project who violated the terms of the County permit by allowing commercial vehicles to drive on the section of road Martin was cycling on when the accident occurred. White and Morrison are both cyclists themselves, and along with Martin’s family, hope to raise public awareness of the 3 Feet for Safety Act, which requires drivers to allow at least 3 feet of space when passing a cyclist. If there is not at least 3 feet of space to pass, the driver must wait until the cyclist can be passed safely.
