Cyclist sustains life-threatening injuries
A cyclist from Yuma, Ariz., is fighting for his life after being struck by a vehicle on Pioneer Trail.
The 70-year-old man was riding north on Pioneer Trail between Susquehanna and Jicarilla when a Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by a 35-year-old man from Southern California clipped his handlebar with the side mirror after drifting into the bike lane. The vehicle was traveling about 45 mph – the speed limit, and the cyclist 20 mph.
“The cyclist lost control, was ejected from the bicycle, struck his head and rolled over a number of times,” California Highway Patrol Officer Chuck Brothers told Lake Tahoe News.
Despite wearing a helmet the victim sustain serious head injuries as well as severe abrasions. He was flown to Renown Medical Center in Reno after the 11:40am June 9 collision.
Because of the life threatening nature of the injuries, names of the two people involved are not being released.
Brothers said alcohol or drugs are not factors. The investigation is ongoing.
— Lake Tahoe News staff report
I used to love road biking. recent years, however, I have been buzzed more often by the cages – coming close to scare me. Then I see them laughing or making a gesture as they get back in their lane. Hard to prove, but there is a lot of hate out there. Pioneer Trail has a quite adequate bike lane. It is so sad to hear of this. I would be very interested to hear if the driver even pays a fine. I hope it truly was an accident. I don’t ride much now and my world is diminished.
Some of the blog trolls on this thread have posted they would run bicycle riders off the road. Maybe the police should investigate their hateful threats towards bike riders…