Cpl. Ronald Van Tassel
Tuesday, August 21, 2018 at 4:35 p.m.
On August 21st, 2018 Officers and Medical personnel responded to Havana and Boone for a collision involving a bicyclist and a semi-truck. Emergency crews located the male, who is in his 50’s, still laying in the roadway. Lifesaving attempts were made but the male was pronounced dead at the scene.
Officers were able to interview witnesses, collect evidence and watch a surveillance video of the incident from a nearby business. The preliminary investigation showed that the bicyclist was riding north on Havana, in the far east lane. There was road construction going on and Havana was shut down for northbound traffic. There were cones across the street, a sign saying the roadway was closed and a flagger at the intersection directing traffic.
At the same time the bicyclist was riding north, the flagger made room for a semi-truck who was also traveling north, to make a right hand turn into a private parking lot. As the truck made the turn, the bicyclist collided with the rear of the truck.
An evaluation was conducted at the scene of the driver of the truck for any impairment and nothing was detected at this time. Speeds of the truck do not appear to be a factor in the collision. There was a bicycle helmet at the scene, it is unknown if the rider had it on or if it was securely strapped.
As of right now the driver of the truck is not being cited for any infractions. The investigation will continue and the identity of the deceased will be released at a later time by the Medical Examiner’s office.
