A young woman was hit while changing a flat tire on the side of the road.
Late last night I got a flat and was on a long stretch of road with minimal shoulder, guard rail on one side, rock wall on the other. I decided to change it. Luckily a motorist stopped a long side me. He offered to give me a ride, but instead I asked him to just stay parked next to me with the flashers on. Who knows, he could have saved my life.
The drive hit a group of riders. Would love to know the outcome regarding the driver. How do you not see a group of cyclists?
I’m sure he saw them, then put the foot on the gas! Probably won’t even get a slap on the wrist 
Very sad story, but possibly avoidable…
…as also gleaned from your story.
You never stick around in a dangerous part of the road. You can slowly ride a flat tubular/clincher to a spot where you can safely change the tire. Yes, it may take you a couple of minutes, but beats sticking your head/but into fast moving traffic.
I see an increasing number of (inexperienced) cyclists stop in lanes of travel (be it to wait up for a buddy, answer the phone, take a drink, eat, dress, feed the fishes). I have seen it all. If you are on a two lane curvy road doing that, you not only endangering yourself, but also oncoming traffic (including cyclists).
The take home is:
Get off the freaking road if you are not riding on it!
Common courtesy that may in fact save lives.
Mad, sad rant over.
Meh, there was enough shoulder for me to effect my repair, but the road was curvy somewhat. I’m just not big on descents with flat clinchers. I took a risk though; they don’t put in guard rails because nobody ever leaves their lane. (in case it’s ambiguous there was a guard rail to keep folks from going over a rocky bank into a river). I’ve seen inattentive drivers go upon the side walk though so there’s really no way you can make risk of an accident 0. You just have to evaluate the situation and decide what your risk tolerance is. Pick your poison so to speak. Most anyone could be struck by lightening. I decided a bit of shoulder was enough, and a patient motorist gave me extra insurance.
I have no idea what the girl’s situation was, but I don’t play blame the victim unless it’s seems incontrovertible.
Your rant is likely irrelevant. Let us know how riding a flat front clincher down a mountain feels some time though!