Chicago Alleged Terror Bar Target May Have Been Popular Bicycle Messenger Hangout

The Chicago bar targeted by alleged homegrown terrorist, Adel Daoud, is a popular afterwork hangout for city bicycle messengers.  Though federal authorities have not revealed which bar the teenager allegedly wanted to blow up on Friday night, the owner of Cal's Bar and Liquors at 400 South Wells believes it was his, according to CBS Chicago.  Based upon descriptions of the establishment in the media and the frenzy of evidence gathering activity by federal authorities on the night the attack was to happen, Mike Feirstein, the bar's owner, believes his place was the target.  (Click here to read more on CBS Chicago's website.)

Cals has been a bike messenger haunt for years.  At the end of any given work day, dozens of well-worn bicycles can be seen outside the bar.  Inside, tired bike messengers can be found throwing back brews, swapping stories and relaxing.  In 2007 Meddill Reports did a feature news piece about the bar's embrace of its bike messenger and counter culture clientele.  

There is no reason to believe that Mr. Daoud harbors a desire to wage jihad against bike messengers.  According to a federal complaint filed against him in the past few days the bar targeted by him was chosen because it would be filled with "the evilest people . . . all the kuffars are there."

Chicago Bike Messenger To Receive Settlement Following Collision That Left Her Scarred

The case of a Chicago bicycle messenger, left bloody and scarred by a collision caused by a driver's foolish maneuver, has been successfully resolved by my law firm.  The matter settled for the full amount of all applicable auto insurance.

In the teeth of the evening rush on May 8th the driver of a Nissan SUV attempted an illegal u-turn in front of the bike messenger, riding northbound on South Franklin Street in the Loop, causing a crash.  The driver had parked or stopped the 2002 Nissan XTerra SUV along the northbound curb at 70 South Franklin before attempting to swing the vehicle to the left in an apparent effort to get into the southbound lane.  At the same time the 26 year old female bike messenger, who had just finished her 11 hour shift, was making her way home in the right lane of northbound Franklin.  Despite being an experienced city cyclist, the abrupt absurdity of the Nissan's maneuver surprised her and she was unable to avoid striking the truck.  A witness to the event squarely corroborated these facts.

The impact was hard and left the bicyclist laying in the street, rush hour traffic cruising past her.  Shocked, she quickly became aware of a sticky wetness on her face.  The impact had opened a large gash on her forehead and she was bleeding.  Nearby pedestrians urged her out of the street.  A witness called 911 and an ambulance arrived and took her to Northwestern Memorial Hospital nearby.  The cyclist's head wound was deep and bled a lot.  Even her bicycle was stained with blood.  The gash required sutures to close.  Her body was also left badly bruised and beaten.  Though the bruises, aches and pains went away after several weeks, the scar on the front of her forehead did not.  A board certified physician retained by my firm to examine the wound concluded that she will likely be left with a permanent scar.

U-Turning SUV Strikes Chicago Bicycle Messenger In Loop

In the heart of the Loop, in the teeth of the evening rush the driver of a Nissan SUV attempted a u-turn in front of a Chicago bicycle messenger causing a crash.  The incident took place just after 6:00 p.m. near 70 South Franklin on May 8th.  The driver had parked or stopped his 2002 Nissan XTerra SUV along the curb of northbound Franklin before attempting to swing the vehicle to the left in an apparent effort to get into the southbound lane.  At the same time a 26 year old female bike messenger who had just finished her 11 hour shift was making her way back home in the right lane of Franklin.  Despite being an experienced city cyclist, the abrupt absurdity of the Nissan's maneuver surprised her and she was unable to avoid striking the truck.

The impact was hard and left the cyclist laying in the street, rush hour traffic cruising past her.  Shocked, she quickly became aware of a sticky wetness on her face.  The impact had opened a large gash on her forehead and she was bleeding.  Nearby pedestrians urged her out of the street.  Someone called 911.  An ambulance arrived and took her to Northwestern Memorial Hospital nearby.  Police cited the driver for "negligent driving," pursuant to Chicago Municipal Ordinance 9-40-140.

My law firm has been retained to represent the injured bicyclist.