Jim Johnston

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Jim Johnston
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Age: 56

Location:
260th Street and West Center Road
Omaha , NE
United States

From KETV news

-- Video: Retired teacher, athletic trainer killed in collision

Johnston was heading west as the driver of the vehicle was eastbound, when it struck Johnston.

The cause of the accident remains under investigation.

Ruth Jeffers, 82, was identified as the driver of the Ford Taurus that struck Johnston.

Authorities said the investigation is not complete and charges will be decided through the county attorney sometime next week.

Johnston
was taken by medical helicopter to Alegent Creighton Health Creighton
University Medical Center, where he died a short time later.

Johnston
had been a science teacher and was an athletic trainer at Millard West
High School and a part of the Alegent Creighton Health Sports Medicine
team.

-- Video: Community devastated by cyclists' death

School
officials said Johnston, an educator with Millard Public Schools for
more than 30 years, was a "beloved and respected" member of their staff.

Johnston repaired and protected thousands of Millard West athletes.

“He
was the trainer that I went to when I was injured. He helped me through
a couple injuries,” said student-athlete Hannah Brown. “I just kind of
lost it, and I never really got it back.”

Despite profound sorrow,
so many stepped forward to share memories of the athletic trainer and
longtime teacher who just retired last year.   

“I always looked
forward to talking to him about anything, you know, life lessons, sports
that I’m playing in. He was always a helping hand for everyone that
came in there,” said student-athlete Victor Beanum.

“He was one
that spent every single day, every single afternoon and a lot of
evenings in this place. He dedicated a lot of hours to our students
here,” said Dr. Greg Tiemann, Millard West principal.

Students said Johnston even inspired others to follow in the field.

“Next
year I’m going to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to study athletic
training, and I’m hoping to be like him one day,” Brown said.

News of the deadly bicycle crash brought double drama into the Bike Rack in west Omaha.

"He
was a great guy to work with, always just the nicest, easy-going guy.
He never was stressed. Everything was easy with Jim,” said Dylan Page, a
bicycle mechanic.

It was no surprise Johnston hit the road on such a beautiful day.

"I figured a guy like that would be out on a day like today,” Page said.

Kelly Smith, Johnston’s bike mechanic, rode with him and saw him at almost every cycling event.

"He was outgoing, energetic, a spirited man. He just loved to be on the bike,” Smith said.

Kelly said the challenge and the fun of cycling also mean risks on the road.

"It
can spook you. It can spook you real hard,” he said. "It tears at you.
It tears at you hard. Just pray for him and the family. We'll see him
again."

Jim's obituary is here

 http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BjrwYsQCMAA_oEr.jpg:medium

Also from: From KETV News

-- Video: Ghost bike honors cyclist killed

After
hearing the devastating news, Nicole Schnittger decided to turn an old
bike of hers too costly to repair to a send a life-saving message.

“It
had occurred to me to keep it to turn into a memorial bike, a ghost
bike, at some point, and unfortunately that came to be,” Schnittger
said.

The ghost bike is placed just a short way from where the
crash occurred. Although the memorial’s creator would rather remain
anonymous, Schnittger is speaking out in hopes that no other family has
to live though such loss.

“The 180-pound cyclist with their 20 pounds of bicycle is no match,” she said.

Nebraska
state law requires drivers to give cyclists three feet of space when
passing on the roads. Some say the memorial will be a reminder.

“Motorists are saying, ‘Hey, we're watching out for you and be careful out there,’” said cyclist Dave Reinarz.