Lincoln Police say two bicyclists and a jogger were injured after being struck by vehicles over a two hour period on Tuesday. The first incident happened around 4:15 p.m.
Officers responded to the area of South 12th and C Street and learned a vehicle was traveling westbound on C Street at approximately 40 mph when it crossed South 12th Street and stuck a 12-year-old boy who was crossing the street in the crosswalk on his bike.
He was transported to a local area hospital for treatment of cuts and bruises. The 30-year-old man who was driving was cited for Negligent Driving and Failing to Yield to a Pedestrian. At around 5:15 p.m., LPD officers responded to North 65th Street and Morrill Avenue on a report of a jogger being struck by a car.
Officers determined that a 16-year-old female driver was eastbound on Morrill Avenue from North 63rd Street when her vehicle collided with the 43-year-old woman who was jogging in the crosswalk. “The investigation revealed that a female was jogging on the sidewalk and had attempted to cross the street in front of a vehicle,” says LPD Captain Max Hubka. “The jogger was struck and hit the windshield of the vehicle, sending her down to the ground.”
The woman suffered a fractured skull, cuts and bruises and abdominal and hip pain. They interviewed the 16-year old female driver and other witnesses who indicated the jogger had run out in front her without warning. No citations were issued.
The third incident happened around 6:10 p.m. at South 20th Street and Lake Street. Officers determined that a 41-year-old man was driving westbound on Lake Street and proceeding through South 20th Street Street when he collided with a 7-year-old boy on a bicycle. According to witnesses the bicyclist darted out in front of the vehicle just prior to being struck.
He was transported to a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. LPD urges motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists to use caution when using and crossing the roadways. Motorists are urged to avoid distracted driving, obey the speed limit and other rules of the road, approach crosswalks cautiously and always be on the lookout for pedestrians and bicyclists.
Pedestrians are reminded to wear reflective/bright clothing, obey all rules of the road, use sidewalks and bike paths, or the very edge of the road when necessary, cautiously approach and use crosswalks and stay alert.
Bicyclists should wear reflective/bright clothing, obey all rules of the road, consider using bike paths/lanes, wear a helmet, keep media devices at low levels to hear traffic, cautiously approach and use crosswalks and stay alert.
“Please wear a helmet. It saved my life, and it might save yours.” says LPD Officer Luke Bonkiewicz, who was critically injured while riding his bike in 2003 near the zoo. “I was on a Rock Island bike trail and did have a helmet. A truck pulled out onto the bike trail and we collided,” Bonkiewicz says.
“I had a torn shoulder and broken foot. I died in the emergency room and they zapped me back to life.”