Christopher Loven, driver in Eugene Howrey bike crash, convicted in 2009 bicycle-rage case

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But just two years ago, Loven was convicted in another bike case -- one related to road rage.

Credit the scoop to the Boulder Daily Camera, which covered the previous case back in June 2009. But the story was so incendiary that it ultimately wound up in national publications such as Bicycle Times Magazine, which described the confrontation between Loven and cyclist Scott Boulbol as a "high-speed shoving match." According to the mag, Boulbol was in a designated bike lane when Loven passed him with little room to spare on Lee Hill Road. This maneuver sparked a shouting match, after which Loven got back into his truck -- which he used to block the bike lane and force Boulbol into oncoming traffic.

Loven eventually pleaded guilty to a charge of reckless endangerment, a misdemeanor. But he was only sentenced to probation and community service, which incensed the folks at the Liberty on Bikes! blog. The author of a Loven-related post wrote, "Road rage should just be an automatic six month suspended license, no questions asked... I love how if you swung a metal bat at someone, it can be aggravated assault and a lengthy jail sentence. But wielding two tons of steel can be pawned off as an 'accident,' or maybe 'negligent operation of a vehicle.'"

Cut to Friday, when Loven was driving a dump truck outfitted with a trailer loaded with construction equipment on Lefthand Canyon Drive. Howrey was on the same road, and when Loven turned toward Olde Stage Road, the truck hit the left side of his bike. Howrey was thrown approximately 36 feet; he died at the scene.

Look below to see a Daily Camera video about the Friday crash.

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