Hillandale Road is narrow, straight 2 lane road that runs north-south; at its south end it runs into the Duke Hospital and it is one of the few roads that crosses I-85. During rush hour it can be hell. At other times it would not be surprising to see people run it at 50MPH (I believe it is posted 35MPH). Where the accident occurred it runs past a golf course and has a line of trees on the west side. By 9pm, it is definitely "near dark" this time of year, and the trees would make it darker. The 1700 block is where a residential neighborhood road crosses Hillandale; I believe Seth lived in that neighborhood, so he could easily have gotten to Hillandale without venturing onto other major roads. Hillandale would not be my idea of pleasant biking, due to a lack of shoulder. Most NC roads are paved no more than 6 inches past the line, and many roads have quite large ditches next to them. I have no idea where on these roads you are supposed to bike.

I met Seth shortly after he moved to the area, though I haven't spoken with in several years. It's a terrible waste, I hope the guy who did it gets what he deserves.

I believe you have the nard situation backwards, or at least acknowledge there is mutual nard-ownage in that relationship.