Cyclist killed after slamming into SUV

Officials say the rider was riding fast, while coming down Mt. Scott Boulevard …

In the Lents neighborhood, where Mt. Scott Boulevard curves between Willamette National Cemetery and Lincoln Memorial Park & Funeral Home, a bicyclist suffered a fatal accident in outer East Portland.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

When a bicycle rider and a blue 1997 Dodge Ram collided, just after 3:00 p.m. on August 5, emergency first-responders responded to the intersection of SE 112th Avenue and Mt. Scott Boulevard

“Medical personnel arrived and located the female adult bicycle rider suffering from traumatic injuries,” reported Portland Police Bureau (PPB) Public Information Officer Sgt. Pete Simpson.

Officials say that as this truck was moving into the turn lane, the bicyclist ran into the side of it..

“The woman was transported by ambulance to a Portland hospital with life-threatening injuries,” Simpson added.

The truck’s driver, 64-year-old Mary Elizabeth Dieter of Washougal, Washington, stayed at the scene, cooperated with investigators, and did not display any signs of impairment or distracted driving, Simpson informed.

Shortly after the bicycle rider arrived at the hospital, she died. “49-year-old Karla Kalene DeBaillie of Happy Valley is the 27th traffic fatality in the City of Portland in 2016,” remarked Simpson.

A PPB Traffic Division officer takes notes at the scene.

According to evidence collected at the crash scene, and witness statements, investigators said they believe that DeBaillie was riding her bicycle at a speed of 30 to 35 miles per hour down Mt. Scott Boulevard (northbound) and curved left (westbound) at the intersection of 112th Avenue.

“Dieter was driving eastbound on Mount Scott Boulevard and was moving to turn left onto 112th Avenue, as westbound traffic stopped to allow her to turn,” Simpson said. “As Dieter crossed over the westbound lane of Mount Scott Boulevard, DeBaillie crashed into the passenger side of the pick-up truck.”

As the bike rider is transported to a local hospital, her bicycle remains smashed in the street.

The investigation is continuing, and once complete it will be given to the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office for review.

Also affecting Friday afternoon traffic that day, just down the hill at SE 112th Avenue and SE Foster Road, a PPB sergeant enroute to the crash was T-boned in the intersection – shutting down traffic for hours.

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