RSSBicyclist Killed in Crash with Pizza Delivery Driver in Marion County
According to preliminary reports filed by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office on August 11th, 2020, an Ocala man suffered fatal injuries after he was rear-ended by a pizza delivery driver’s vehicle while riding his bicycle. Authorities stated that both men were traveling along a poorly lit stretch of NE 25th Avenue at approximately 9:30 in the evening when the collision occurred.
It was a typical Tuesday night in Marion County until the Florida Highway Patrol started to receive incoming calls regarding a bicycle accident near the 2900 block of NE 25th Avenue. Upon arrival at the crash site, officers with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, as well as troopers with the FHP, found that a 58-year-old bicyclist from Ocala had been severely injured after a rear-end collision with an SUV while both motorists were traveling northbound along the road. Emergency response teams put forth their best life-saving efforts, but his injuries proved to be too severe to recover from, and he quickly passed away. The SUV driver, a 27-year-old pizza delivery man for Five Star Pizza, remained at the scene after the crash for questioning. It is not believed that he will be charged.
Two local residents witnessed this deadly collision from their front porch and immediately rushed over to the area to help the victims. Statements given to the police by these witnesses said that the bicyclist was a local man whom they would frequently see biking to a gas station located at Northeast 25th Avenue and 14th Street. They also noted that this specific stretch of road is almost completely pitch black other than a few sporadic street lights and has become increasingly busy, particularly at night, due to a new road construction project on Northeast 36th Avenue.
Sadly, accidents such as these are not uncommon, as the bicycle itself is one of the most popular means of transportation for many Florida residents. Poorly illuminated or dangerous roadways, construction debris, and lack of proper bicycle safety equipment are just some of the primary contributors to a bike accident.
Sources:
James O. Cunningham
Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.
Mr. Cunningham is an excellent and knowledgeable attorney.