Find out why officials say it appears the bicyclist drove right into a truck, while crossing SE 92nd Avenue at the Springwater Corridor …
Officers talk with the driver of a truck that was struck by a bicyclist speeding across this outer East Portland street, and into cross-traffic.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Too many times, we hear news that a motor vehicle struck and injured a pedestrian or bicyclist.
On February 9, at 2:53 p.m., Portland Police Bureau East Precinct and Traffic Division officers were called to the Lents neighborhood at SE 92nd Avenue at the Springwater Corridor Trail crossing on the report of a “bicyclist struck and down”. But it was not quite the same old story.
The bicycle rider was transported for medical care, but his crumpled bike remained at the scene.
By what they learned from witnesses, officers at the scene said they believe that the bicyclist was riding westbound on the Springwater Corridor Trail – and ignored the stop sign, continuing into the crossing at a relatively high rate of speed.
A pickup truck was heading southbound on SE 92nd Avenue at the time. “The driver reported he didn’t see the bicycle approaching – a portable sanitary facility near the street blocked his view,” and officer told East Portland News.
Damage to the front of the truck was on the driver’s side quarter panel, not the front of the vehicle.
“As it turns out, it appears as if the bicyclist hit the truck,” the officer added. The officer pointed out the damage to the front driver side quarter panel from the crash.
The bicyclist was transported to OHSU, at first thought to have sustained traumatic injuries – but the rider’s condition was later upgraded to “minor injuries”.
The ruling: The bicyclist failed to yield right-of-way to cross traffic. Presumably a traffic ticket was issued (yes, bikes can get those too).
The lesson in this mishap: Both drive – and ride – carefully!
© 2016 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News
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