PORT TOWNSEND — A 75-year-old Port Townsend bicycle rider has died of his injuries after a collision with a vehicle.
The identity of the man, who was injured Wednesday and died Thursday, has not been released pending notification of his family.
Sgt. Jason Greenspane of the Port Townsend Police Department is leading the continuing investigation into the wreck, with assistance by the State Patrol, according to Keppie Keppler, public information officer for the police department.
The driver of a Hyundai Sonata, who has not been identified by the police, was traveling east on 19th Street and began to make a right-hand turn onto Landes Street, authorities said.
Here is the police account of the wreck:
The driver pulled into the path of two bicyclists who also were traveling eastbound on 19th Street. Both riders were in a marked bike lane.
The driver of the car reported seeing the second cyclist in the rear-view mirror before turning, but did not notice the first bicyclist.
The first cyclist applied his brakes causing him to be thrown over his handlebars. He struck the side of the vehicle before hitting the ground headfirst. He was wearing a safety helmet.
Port Townsend police officers arrived and began cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Firefighter/medics with East Jefferson Fire Rescue assumed the CPR and regained a pulse about 10 minutes later. Once stabilized, the man was flown to Harborview Medical Center in critical condition.
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Jefferson County Editor/Reporter Jeannie McMacken can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at jmcmacken@peninsuladailynews.com.
