Hart Godbold holds the bike frame he built before a reckless driver destroyed the frame and seriously injured Godbold.

By Alex Zielinski

A cyclist hit on the sidewalk by an allegedly drunk and racing, hit-and-run driver is not giving up biking.

“Other than a bit of nerves, I am unchanged as a rider and bicycle lover,” said Hart Godbold, 26. “I was hit on the sidewalk by a drunk man who was racing his car two lanes of traffic away from me. One cannot protect against that sort of thing short of ceasing to ride, so I’ll continue riding.”

Last week Judge Jack Billings sentenced driver Joshua Clifton, a 23-year-old with previous DUI charges, to over 90 months in jail for the Oct. 16 collision that left Godbold bleeding and unconscious.

According to Godbold, Judge Billings said he believed there was no safer place for Clifton than in jail. “I don’t think punishment is the goal here,” said cyclist Godbold in an e-mail interview. “That fact is he [Clifton] is unable to quit drinking and driving, and is untrustworthy.”

The late-night collision near Amazon Parkway reportedly left Godbold bleeding from a head injury as Springfield driver Clifton, who was allegedly racing another car, sped off. Clifton later claimed to be unaware that he had just hit someone and his trial attorney questioned whether Godbold was seriously injured. After the accident, Clifton falsely reported his dented car stolen to the police. Clifton was arrested on Oct. 21.

Godbold, a fine arts graduate from the University of Oregon and aspiring carpenter, had only ridden his self-built bike for eight days prior to the destructive crash. Godbold said he only has a vague memory of the ride up until the crash and has no recollection of the actual incident and head injury.

“I am mostly recovered, though I have a number of lingering ailments,” said Godbold.