--- description: Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. remembers the life of Dave Salovesh, a longtime DC bicycle safety advocate who was tragically killed by the driver of a stolen van in Trinidad. title: DC Bicycle Safety Advocate Struck and Killed by Driver of Stolen Van canonical: https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/2019/04/dc-bicycle-safety-advocate-struck-and-killed-by-driver-of-stolen-van/ date_published: 2019-04-25T01:16:00+00:00 date_modified: 2025-11-19T17:37:31+00:00 practice_area: blog --- - DC Bicycle Safety Advocate Struck and Killed by Driver of Stolen Van # DC Bicycle Safety Advocate Struck and Killed by Driver of Stolen Van Last Updated: November 19, 2025 - Reading Time: 2 minutes Trusted Content ![090424_CSCS_APE30](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/090424_CSCS_APE30-r7ld7n5zxjd9ezimssquc85jvnm28x0iit481i4iwo.jpg) Legally Reviewed by Allan Siegel Updated 9 months ago [Home](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/) » [Recent Posts](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/) » DC Bicycle Safety Advocate Struck and Killed by Driver of Stolen Van [![Best Law Firms - Regional Tier 1 Badge](https://www.bestlawyers.com/Badges/Metro/35728/17508/15/washington-d-c/O/Detail.png)](https://www.bestlawfirms.com/firms/chaikin-sherman-cammarata-siegel/35728/US) What's On This Page [Case Results](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/case-results/) $3.5 Million - Bicycle Crash $ 1.8 Millon - Bicycle Crash $1.5 Million - Bicycle Crash $1 Million - Bicycle Crash [View All Practice Areas](https://chaikinandsherman.com/practice-areas/) [Testimonials](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/testimonials-hub/) [They truly cared about me as a person. Tracy Koretsky Bicycle Accident](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/testimonials-clients/13256/) Contact Us Today! "*" indicates required fields Name* First Last Name* Last Email** Phone*Are you a new client?*Are you a new client? *Yes, I'm a potential new client.No, I'm a current existing client.I'm neitherCase TypeCase TypeMotor Vehicle AccidentSlip & FallAssaultMedical MalpracticeAbuseWork InjuryOtherWere You at Fault?Were You At Fault?NoYesUnknownWhere Did The Incident Occur?Where Did The Incident Occur?Washington, D.C.VirginiaMarylandOtherDid The Accident Occur In the Last Two Years?Did The Accident Occur In the Last Two Years?YesNoShare Brief Description of the Incident* Send Three of the firm’s attorneys discuss bicycle accident litigation in Washington, DC — including dooring, bike lane violations, and how the District’s Vulnerable User Recovery Act allows cyclists to recover damages even when partially at fault. The firm has secured over $3.5 million for a cyclist who suffered a traumatic brain injury in a dooring incident. Video Transcript **Speakers:** Joseph Cammarata, Stephen Ollar, Allan Siegel **Allan Siegel:** Being in the District of Columbia, which is a very bicycle friendly city, we get a lot of bicycle crashes. A lot of clients who are involved in bicycle crashes reach out to us and we’ve been handling them for years. Whether or not it’s somebody driving in a bike lane and somebody makes a turn and infringes upon the bike lane, whether it’s somebody who gets “doored” by another vehicle, in other words, a driver stops and opens his door while the bicyclist is driving with the right of way. That actually is against the law in the District of Columbia. You’re required to look before you open your door or whether or not it’s just a case where a bicycle’s riding on the roadway and with the right of way and a vehicle makes a turn or rear ends them. We get a lot of them, and we’ve been handling them for many, many years and very successfully. **Stephen Ollar:** Really, when you look at the law in DC what we talk about is vulnerable riders. So it’s not just bicyclists, it’s also motorcyclists. It’s people on e-scooters, even pedestrian, all of them who are, anybody who’s not inside a four wheeled vehicle, falls under that kind of category of a vulnerable user. And so the law in that area is consistent across the board. The law now in the District Columbia, is that if you fall into that kind of category, you could be up to 50% at fault and still be able to get a recovery. You can’t be more than 50% at fault, but as long as you’re 50% or less, you’re still eligible to get a recovery. So we do a lot of those cases and providing representation for people over hurt in those categories. **Joseph Cammarata:** So it’s important to reach out to a lawyer that knows what they’re talking about that’s going to be aggressive and going to be able to establish that your fault was slight, if any, and that you have a full opportunity to receive compensation for the harms and losses that you suffered. Our legal team at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. would like to express our condolences for the loss of Dave Salovesh, a longtime member of the DC cycling community and an active advocate for cyclist safety. Salovesh was tragically struck and killed by the driver of a stolen van in Trinidad on the morning of Friday April, 19, 2019. The 54-year-old IT professional was a fixture in the DC cycling community, and he lived and breathed bicycle safety. From attending local bicycle club meetings to [writing op-eds](https://www.waba.org/blog/2015/04/13-u-turns-on-pennsylvania-in-one-hour/) about the need for protected bike lanes, better traffic safety enforcement, and improvements to cycling infrastructure in the District, Salovesh made his presence known – and was committed to making roadways safer for all cyclists, himself and his family included. ### A Tragic Loss. An Important Reminder. [Friday’s accident](https://dcist.com/story/19/04/19/cyclist-killed-by-driver-of-stolen-van-on-florida-avenue-in-northeast/) is a tragic and sobering reminder of just how vulnerable cyclists are when sharing the road with motor vehicles. Salovesh, who was extremely vigilant and hyper-aware of cycling safety practices, was struck at approximately 10:00 am near the intersection of 12th St. and Florida Avenue NE. Officials from the Metropolitan Police Department say a lowjack hit had alerted authorities of a stolen white van. Though officers attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver evaded, sped westbound on Florida Ave., and ran a red light before hitting another vehicle, crossing the double yellow lines, and striking Salovesh, who died at the scene. DC police reported the 25-year-old driver of the van has been charged with second-degree murder. ### A Call for Cyclist Safety & Protection As a Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) sponsor and personal injury law firm actively involved in the local cycling community, our entire team mourns the loss of a truly selfless, safety-conscious advocate. As WABA President Greg Billing said in a public statement: “Dave was an outspoken advocate for safer streets, and a dedicated father.” His loss will be felt throughout the community. Although the incident which claimed Salovesh’s life is still under investigation, the section of Florida Ave. NE where he had been traveling had been the subject of a number of calls for action. Since the 2013 death of a pedestrian, WABA and advocates like Salovesh called on the District Department of Transportation to redesign the road, make it safer for cyclists, and take steps to reduce speeding. The District DoT did complete preliminary plans for installing bike lanes in the area, from 3rd St. to 9th St., in 2017, but the project has since slowed. Since Salovesh’s crash, cyclists have already teamed up to call out the DDoT about project delays. As the District of Columbia struggles with a rise in traffic fatalities, and at least six deaths so far this year, friends of Salovesh are confident he would want his death to compel advocacy and action. He’d want people to “get angry and make the streets safe,” a friend said, and make for real action and safer streets. That’s evident from recent comments Salovesh made on Twitter before his death: *“Good reminder that protecting sidewalks and bike lanes isn’t just about keeping well-controlled travelers in their spaces. Vision Zero would say, approximately, ‘people make mistakes, but nobody has to die from that.”* https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/iStock-912151500-scaled-1.jpg regularly works with WABA and advocates to improve cycling safety in our communities. Our firm also represents victims and families who suffer as a result of preventable [bicycle accidents](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/bicycle-accidents/) as they seek justice, accountability, and compensation in the civil justice system. Call (202) 659-8600 or [contact us online](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/contact-us/) to speak with a lawyer if you have a potential case. [Watch Our Video Testimonials](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/testimonials-hub/) ![Main CSCS Video - Thumb 1](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/1.png) Get free advice about the compensation you deserve. At Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C., our car accident attorneys fight tirelessly to secure the compensation you deserve, handling every aspect of your case to protect your rights. Trust us to stand by you and advocate aggressively on your behalf. [Speak to a Specialist](#) Visit Us in Person 1232 17th St NW Washington, DC 20036 The bicycle accident lawyers at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. represent injured cyclists across the Washington, D.C. metro area, including Virginia ([Arlington bike accident cases](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/bicycle-accidents/arlington-va/), [Alexandria](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/bicycle-accidents/alexandria/), and [Fairfax County bicycle injury claims](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/bicycle-accidents/fairfax-va/)) and Maryland ([Silver Spring cyclist injury cases](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/bicycle-accidents/silver-spring/)), and we also handle [Capital Bikeshare claims](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/bicycle-accidents/washington-dc-capital-bikeshare-accident-attorney/) and [e-bike injury matters](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/bicycle-accidents/electric-bicycles/) throughout the District. Top 10 Mistakes Made After an Accident Review these common auto accident mistakes to protect your rights. [READ OUR E-BOOK](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/E-Book.pdf) Meet Our Team [Learn More About Us](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/about-us/) Ira Sherman Partner Licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and New York With over four decades of courtroom experience, **Ira Sherman** is a powerhouse trial lawyer who has won justice for countless victims of serious injury, discrimination, and medical malpractice. Known for his relentless advocacy, compassion, and proven results, he’s the attorney clients trust when everything is on the line. [Ira Sherman's Bio](https://chaikinandsherman.com/attorney-profiles/ira-sherman/) Joseph Cammarata Partner Licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia A dual board-certified civil trial attorney, **Joseph Cammarata** is nationally recognized for his fierce advocacy, landmark legal victories, and relentless pursuit of justice for victims of serious injury, wrongful death, sexual assault, and civil rights violations. With wins against powerful opponents—including a historic U.S. Supreme Court case securing equal access to justice—he’s the attorney clients trust when they need skill, strength, and results that matter. [Joe Cammarata's Bio](https://chaikinandsherman.com/attorney-profiles/joseph-cammarata/) Allan M. Siegel​ Partner Licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia **Allan M. Siegel** is a board-certified trial attorney and partner at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C., known for securing justice in serious personal injury, brain injury, and wrongful death cases. Recognized as one of Washington’s *Top 100 Super Lawyers®* and a *Best Lawyer®* in America, he combines strategic precision, courtroom skill, and relentless advocacy to win full and fair compensation for his clients. [Allan Siegel's Bio](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/attorney-profiles/allan-m-siegel) Stephen Ollar Partner Licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia **Stephen Ollar** is an award-winning trial attorney and U.S. Army veteran dedicated to holding negligent individuals and corporations accountable. Recognized as a *Super Lawyers Rising Star* from 2020–2025, he’s known for his tenacity, precision, and unwavering pursuit of justice in personal injury, auto accident, and medical malpractice cases. [Stephen Ollar's Bio](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/attorney-profiles/stephen-ollar/) ## Related Articles [Read More Blog Articles](/blog/) ### [E-Bike Injuries](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/bicycle-accidents/electric-bicycles/injuries/) ### [How Is An E-Bike Different From a Bicycle?](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/bicycle-accidents/electric-bicycles/how-is-an-e-bike-different-from-a-bicycle/) ### [Washington, DC, E-Bike Accident Lawyer](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/bicycle-accidents/electric-bicycles/) ### [DC Bike Accident Attorneys](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/dc-bike-accident-attorneys/) ### [Do Bicycles Have To Obey Traffic Laws In Maryland?](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/bicycle-accidents/do-bicycles-have-to-obey-traffic-laws-in-maryland/) ### [Do Bicycles Have To Obey Traffic Laws In Virginia?](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/bicycle-accidents/do-bicycles-have-to-obey-traffic-laws-in-virginia/) ### [Bicycle Safety Tips](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/bicycle-accidents/bicycle-safety-tips/) ### [Silver Spring Bicycle Accident Lawyer](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/bicycle-accidents/silver-spring/) ### [Bicycle Accident Attorney Fairfax, VA](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/bicycle-accidents/fairfax-va/) ### [Dangers Of Riding a Bicycle at Night](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/2023/07/dangers-of-riding-a-bicycle-at-night/) Biking at Night Imagine you’re pedaling down a quiet, tree-lined street as the sun sets. [Read More »](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/2023/07/dangers-of-riding-a-bicycle-at-night/) 07/18/2023 ### [The Dangers of Washington, DC Bike Lanes](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/2023/07/the-dangers-of-washington-dc-bike-lanes/) Washington, DC Bike Lanes, and Their Dangers As the popularity of cycling continues to grow [Read More »](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/2023/07/the-dangers-of-washington-dc-bike-lanes/) 07/18/2023 ### [Biking To Work: Tips For Bicycle Commuting](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/2023/07/biking-to-work-tips-for-bicycle-commuting/) Bike Commuting Tips As the sun rises and the city bustles to life, many individuals [Read More »](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/2023/07/biking-to-work-tips-for-bicycle-commuting/) 07/17/2023 ### [Tips For Cycling in the Rain](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/2023/07/tips-for-cycling-in-the-rain/) Tips for Cycling in Wet Weather Cycling in the rain can be an enjoyable and [Read More »](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/2023/07/tips-for-cycling-in-the-rain/) 07/17/2023 ```json-ld {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"LegalService","@id":"https://chaikinandsherman.com/#firm","name":"Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel Personal Injury Lawyers","url":"https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/","telephone":"+1-202-659-8600","email":"publicrelations@dc-law.net","logo":"https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/new-logoBaskerville@2x.png","image":"https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/cscs-firm-photo.jpg","description":"Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel is a Washington D.C. personal injury law firm with decades of experience representing accident victims throughout DC, Maryland, and Virginia.","foundingDate":"1969","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"1232 17th St NW","addressLocality":"Washington","addressRegion":"DC","postalCode":"20036","addressCountry":"US"},"founder":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Joseph Chaikin","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"1232 17th St NW","addressLocality":"Washington","addressRegion":"DC","postalCode":"20036","addressCountry":"US"}},{"@type":"Person","name":"Ira Sherman","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"1232 17th St NW","addressLocality":"Washington","addressRegion":"DC","postalCode":"20036","addressCountry":"US"}}],"employee":[{"@type":"Attorney","name":"Allan M. 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