A Sunday afternoon bike accident along Highway 113 in Dixon claimed the life of a Ryde, California resident. The California Highway Patrol says the 57-year-old man was riding northbound on the highway when he was struck from behind by a Hyundai Tiburon. A 21-year-old man from Orange was driving the car at the time of the tragic bike accident.
Emergency responders from Dixon arrived at the scene to find the bicyclist on the right shoulder of Highway 113. Emergency crews were unable to save the bicyclist’s life. Although the bike rider was wearing a helmet, he suffered severe head trauma in the accident, according to Dixon Firefighter Jarrod Infante. The man’s helmet cracked during the car versus bicycle accident. The bicyclist was riding a Diamondback Sorrento mountain bike.
Witnesses say the driver of the 2003 Tiburon was traveling at, or just above, the posted speed limit immediately before the fatal accident. The driver was reportedly en route to visit family members in Vacaville.
Law enforcement does not believe the 21-year-old driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol when the accident occurred. Police say a toxicology test will be performed to determine if the bicyclist was under the influence on Sunday afternoon.
While an immediate investigation was opened Sunday after the crash, that investigation is continuing. The California Highway Patrol says it still has more witnesses to speak to before they can come to any conclusions about the accident. CHP sergeant Jason Hekker says, “There is no real right-of-way issue, yet,” in the investigation.
The bicycle accident occurred just before 2:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon. Authorities closed Highway 113 after the accident to begin its investigation and allow the County Sheriff’s coroner to examine the body.
Source: Dixon Patch, “Ryde Man Killed in Highway 113 Accident,” Carlos Villatoro, Sept. 25, 2011
