A retired University of Pittsburgh professor was injured after being struck in the growing number of car accidents involving bicycles. While riding in Highland Park, the professor was hit by a speeding vehicle. A long-standing family friend witnessed the aftermath and expressed her worry and concern after viewing the wreckage. Noting that the retired professor would have been cycling home at that time, the friend commented that "it's just so sad."

Local police took the driver into custody, charging the Valencia man with hitting the victim and leaving the scene. The driver left a clear path of his alleged violations, with numerous tire tracks on the sidewalk scene of the accident.

Apparently not satisfied with striking the unsuspecting cyclist, the driver bowled over a stop sign, kept right on going and got into a second accident. Pittsburgh Police had already received multiple calls from the Highland Park area concerning a speeding car that was striking telephone poles and stop signs. Shortly thereafter, police got another call about a bicycle rider that was struck, apparently by the same driver and auto.

Not surprisingly, the driver, whose car was missing a front tire when arrested, was also charged with reckless driving. More charges may be coming, however. The police believe the driver was involved in another accident, causing damage to an additional vehicle, a truck, shortly after the crash with the cyclist.

The victim, who was at the university since 1969, serving as a neuroscience professor, retired in 2007. Known as an "all-around good guy," the professor was listed in stable condition after the accident. It appears that his injuries, though serious, are not life-threatening.

Does the growing number of cyclists involved in car accidents alarm you? Do you have any suggestions to help keep bicycle riders safer from accidents with moving vehicles?

Source: KDKA, "Retired Professor Recovering After Bicycle Accident," Sept. 5, 2012

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