Suburban man gets 10 days in jail, probation for drunken crash that killed cyclist Robert Cann

Jeff Mayes — Sat, 28 Jan 2017 12:13:46 -0600

By RUMMANA HUSSAIN
Chicago Sun-Times

Ryne San Hamel | Chicago Police

A Park Ridge man who crashed into cyclist Robert Geroge Cann and killed him after drinking at a Cubs game was sentenced Thursday to 10 days in jail after he pleaded guilty to aggravated DUI and reckless homicide.

Cook County Judge William J. Hooks also sentenced Ryne San Hamel to four years probation. San Hamel also was ordered to pay Cann’s family the $25,000 it cost for the Groupon employee’s funeral services here and in New Hampshire, and for expenses to fly to Chicago for court.

As in past hearings in the case that riled the local cycling community, Hooks’ courtroom was packed Thursday with both San Hamel’s family and Cann’s relatives, who wore buttons with the picture of the avid cyclist.

Robert George Cann | Facebook

San Hamel, 32, apologized to Cann’s family.

San Hamel was driving his Mercedes S500 on Clybourn when he hit Cann, who was crossing at Larrabee, on May 29, 2013.

San Hamel, who stayed at the scene, had a blood-alcohol level of 0.15 percent when he was later tested at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, prosecutors said.

Cann rode his bike to his job at Groupon every day of the year, no matter the weather, a co-worker had told the Sun-Times. He had worked in the editorial department for more than two years, producing quirky blurbs to help sell daily deals.

Cann’s family has sued San Hamel and a place he worked for that promoted area drink specials through the website AllYouCanDrink.com. That civil case is pending.

Park Ridge man charged with reckless homicide in fatal bike crash

Sun-Times Media Wire — Fri, 31 May 2013 17:14:45 -0500

Ryne San Hamel

A north suburban man was charged with reckless homicide and DUI on Friday for allegedly fatally striking a bicyclist Wednesday night in the River North area.

Ryne San Hamel, 28, of the 1200 block of South Western Avenue in Park Ridge was charged with one count each of reckless homicide, aggravated DUI involving death, misdemeanor DUI, and misdemeanor reckless driving. He was also issued a citation for failure to stay in the lane, police said.

San Hamel was driving south on Larrabee Street when he struck a southbound bicyclist near North Clybourn Avenue about 6:35 p.m. Wednesday, police said.

The cyclist, 26-year-old Robert George Cann, was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in critical condition, but was declared dead at 7:05 p.m. Wednesday, according to police.

A Friday autopsy determined Cann, of the 3200 block of North Southport Avenue, died from multiple injuries from a vehicle striking a bicyclist and the death was ruled an accident, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office.

Cann rode his bike to his job at Groupon every day of the year, no matter the weather, a co-worker said. The New Hampshire transplant had worked in the editorial department for more than two years, producing goofy blurbs to help sell daily deals.

San Hamel stayed on the scene and was immediately taken into custody, police said. He will appear in bond court Saturday.

Robert George Cann | Homicide Watch Chicago

Suburban man gets 10 days in jail, probation for drunken crash that killed cyclist Robert Cann

Park Ridge man charged with reckless homicide in fatal bike crash