Cyclist, driver in Hwy. 50 crash identified
Updated July 11 1:10pm
The 2004 Kenworth tractor truck and trailer that hit the cyclist July 10 was driven by Richard J. Pettay, 39, of Carson City. The bike rider, 48-year-old Clarence M. Aldridge of Bakersfield, remains at Renown Medical Center in Reno with severe injuries.
Pettay did not see the bicyclist and the front of the tractor struck the rear of the bicycle. Aldridge was thrown from the bicycle inside the tunnel.
Alcohol or drugs is not a factor.
Witnesses or anyone else with more information are asked to call 775.689.4661 or email ckelly@dps.state.nv.us.
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A cyclist was seriously injured Thursday morning when he was struck by a truck inside Cave Rock.
The name and hometown of the man on the bike and the driver of the truck have not been released. They were heading east toward Carson City.
According to Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Dave Gibson, the man sustained life-threatening injuries. He was CareFlighted to Renown Medical Center in Reno.
More cyclists are in the area now because the annual Death Ride is this weekend.
The investigation is ongoing to determine what happened. The tunnel is narrow and a lane is not wide enough for a bike and vehicle. There is a button cyclists may push that triggers a flashing light to warn motorists there is a cyclist in the tunnel.
The 10am July 10 accident closed down Highway 50 for several hours. All lanes of traffic are now open.
— Lake Tahoe News staff report
Tahoe is not bike friendly!!! I am also convinced people are driving with their eyes closed anymore. Drivers think of other cars on the road as obstacles, not humans. All I hear in meyers are helicopters, fire trucks, ambulances. Never have I heard so many emergency vehicles in 58 yrs. Tahoe is not bike safe!!! Driving is not safe. Tahoe needs a rail system around the lake, get people out of their vehicles so we have room for cyclists.bike trails on highway 50from meyers and around the lake including truckee should be mandatory ASAP. Ketchum idaho has free transportation, bike trails between towns for 50 miles plus. Time for safety, environmental, etc. Thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Wouldn’t it make sense if you narrowed the car traffic going through the tunnel to one lane. Then you could put in a cement barrier and a bike lane?
Driving from bright sun into the darkened cave is difficult for the eyes to adjust to. The driver may momentarily not have known where the cyclist was – and that’s all it takes.
Some drivers are oblivious to cyclists and some cyclists don’t obey the rules of the road. We can’t always assume accidents are the fault of the drivers. Recently I was relieved that I did not have a car to my left as I gave a cyclist the mandatory 3 foot berth as he accidentally veered into my lane and nearly fell.
The cyclist is my cousins husband and he is in horrible shape. Many many surgeries underway. We are unable to be with them as we are 7hrs away but his/her immediate family is there. God was definitely with him. He shouldn’t have survived this. He’s very healthy and strong and will fight through this. Please pray Tahoe.
We drove through the tunnel moments after this happened. My family and I immediately began to pray for the injured cyclist. This was an eye oppenning experience regarding sharing the road. I don’t have a solution but it’s clear that something needs to be changed to protect cars and cyclists.
Melissa, prayers being sent now.
Good idea stuck in the 80’s. Please get that to nv DOT ASAP!
Melissa: My prayers are with you all.
Run a bike lane on the outside of Cave Rock where the original road was located before the tunnels were cut through the rock.
Did he use the flashing light button before entering the tunnel (maybe I missed that in article)? I always look for the flashing light and remove my sunglasses as soon as I enter tunnel, as well as turning my lights on before entering. Prayers for injured cyclist and truck driver as I’m sure he’s torn up about it.
tahoeadvocate, that’s the best solution for now.
Pedestrians do not belong on any hwy! It is not a play ground for bikes! its for moter vehicles. Prayers for the familys of both.you would have to be pretty careless to ride a bike on hwy 50 with no shoulder, and have a death wish to ride through that tunnel!
Our prayers are with Mike! We pray for a full recovery.
May his family be in Gods hands through all this as well.
Mike my friend , we are praying for you and your loved ones. Hang in there my friend, if anyone can do it , you can. Rudy Medina and family.
Mike. … I just heard what happened! I am just so sorry to hear this terrible news. My family and I will pray for your speedy recovery and comfort for your family. Peace be with you and your family.