This just in from the Oregon State Police (note that as of right now, there’s no evidence that another vehicle was involved in this incident):
Oregon State Police (OSP) is continuing the investigation into Tuesday afternoon’s serious injury bicycle crash that occurred along Highway 211 near Judd Road in the Eagle Creek area [about 24 miles southeast of Portland]. The man’s name is withheld at this time pending confirmation the hospital has notified family.
On May 29, 2012 at approximately 3:20 p.m. a 60-year old southeast Portland man was found laying in the northbound lane of Highway 211 near Judd Road next to his bicycle with a head injury. Preliminary information indicates the man was riding his road bike southbound before he was found. The man was not wearing a bike helmet and received a head injury.
Responding medical personnel activated LifeFlight and the man was transported to Oregon Health & Sciences University for treatment.
There is no information or evidence that another vehicle was involved. Any witnesses are asked to contact Trooper Scott McLeod at (503) 731-3020 ext. 406.
So, a loose gravel wreck or other road surface defect? Equipment failure?
yeah, the northbound side has a bit of gravel near the shoulder… and the road widens for Judd Rd so he could have scooted over to let cars by and then hit gravel trying to nudge back onto the road…
map: http://goo.gl/maps/OKo1
I ride in that corner of the world quite a bit but I stay off 211 itself. Too scary. I hate even driving it. No shoulder at all for much of the way. Hope he heals.