66 year-old Timothy O’Donnell was killed on Friday while on a group ride with the Portland Velo bike club. He was struck by a motorist from behind as he attempted to make a left-hand turn. The crash took place in Cornelius, about half-way between Hillsboro and Forest Grove. Here’s the press release from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office:
On June 9th, 2007 at 12:14pm Deputies with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office responded to a crash on NW Cornelius-Schefflin Road near NW Long Road (map). A group of five bicyclists were riding south on Cornelius-Schefflin Road and were preparing to turn east on NW Long Road.
As the second cyclist in the line signaled for the turn a vehicle also traveling south on Cornelius-Schefflin began to pass the group of bicycles. The vehicle, a 2008 Dodge Avenger, struck the signaling bicyclist while it was still in it’s lane of traffic.
The bicyclist, 66 year-old Timothy O’Donnell of Aloha, died at the scene. The driver of the vehicle, 26- year- old Jennifer Knight of Hayden Idaho, was cited for Driving While Suspended, Careless Driving, and Passing in a No Passing Zone.
Timothy was a member of local cycling club Portland Velo and was riding with four others (none were hurt) when the crash occurred.
Carlo Delumpa, president of Portland Velo, came upon the scene shortly after it happened (read his full comment):
“I, like many members of our club who knew Tim, are going through both grief and anger and it helps to see so many people in the community step forward with positive actions. …As a club, we are focusing now on supporting the O’Donnell family as well as the Velo members who were with Tim and who are going through some very hard re-hashing of yesterday’s events.”
Since the motorist was cited with Careless Driving, this is the type of case where the the BTA’s proposed “Vulnerable Roadway Users” bill (which is currently just one Senate vote from becoming law) could be used to enforce a stiffer consequence in lieu of jail time or the more serious offenses of vehicular manslaughter or homicide.
Stay tuned for more developments.
Local media coverage:
- Oregonian: Aloha bicyclist dies after being struck by car
- KATU-TV (with video): Bicyclist struck by car, killed near Cornelius
- Portland Tribune: Aloha bicyclist dies in crash, Car driver cited in accident
- KPTV: Bicyclist Killed In Cornelius Collision