Bicycle Accidents

Published on: December 23, 2013

Cyclist in Critical Condition after he was Struck by Pompano Beach Motorist and Caught on Back of Car for 2 Miles

A bicyclist traveling in Broward County was critically injured Tuesday when he was struck by an automobile and caught in the car’s smashed rear window. The alleged driver of the vehicle, twenty-seven-year-old Axel Inostroza, continued driving for two miles after the bicyclist became stuck. Once Inostroza arrived at his townhouse in Pompano Beach, police allege that Inostroza removed fifty-three-year-old Craig Camlin from his car and threw Camlin behind bushes in a wooded area. Police said Inostroza then proceeded to hide his damaged Mustang and entered his townhouse to go to sleep. This information was allegedly obtained in a confession Inostroza later gave to investigators.

It was around 6:30 a.m. in the 5200 block of Northeast 18th Avenue when Inostroza’s Mustang struck Camlin, who was traveling in the same direction, according to Fort Lauderdale police. The back of Camlin’s bike was struck by the front-passenger side of the Mustang, which sent Camlin rolling over the roof of the car, where he got caught on the back window. A landscaping crew eventually found Camlin in the bushes around 9 a.m. and called authorities after they observed that Camlin was barely alive. Camlin was transported to North Broward Hospital, where he remained in critical condition late in the day on Tuesday with a nearly severed ear, spinal injuries, and a deep cut on his head. Police believe the spinal injuries could leave Camlin paralyzed.

Broward Sheriff’s deputies came across Inostroza at a Pompano Beach body shop when he was attempting to get his car repaired. The body shop contacted police after they noticed that the damage to Inostroza’s Mustang was consistent with the hit-and-run. Inostroza originally told investigators that he had struck a stop sign, but he later changed his story and confessed to hitting Camlin. According to a Broward prosecutor, Inostroza also admitted to drinking before the crash, but, based on the disparity in time between the crash and the time Inostroza was picked up, a DUI test could not be administered effectively.

Pompano Beach motorist charged with striking cyclist, then driving for 2 miles with injured man on back of car, www.miamiherald.com December 17, 2013

Published on: November 22, 2013

Fort Pierce Bicyclist Struck by Car Tuesday Night, Died on Scene

by Friedland | Carmona

A forty-three-year-old female bicyclist died in Fort Pierce Tuesday evening after she was struck by an automobile. Fort Pierce resident Maureen P. Quigg was riding her bike in the 1400 block of Hartman Road a little after 6:00 p.m. when she was struck by a Chevy Impala driven by Robert Craig Matthews. According to police, Matthews, a thirty-three-year-old Port St. Lucie resident, was traveling south when he came into contact with Quigg. Quigg was operating her bike on the west side of the road.

The impact with Matthews’ Chevy Impala caused Quigg to be thrown from her bike and into a grassy area on the side of the road. Police stated that Quigg was pronounced dead at the scene. Matthews is not currently facing any charges. However, police continue investigations into whether drugs or alcohol played a role in the crash.

Bicyclist dies in Tuesday night wreck in Fort Pierce, www.palmbeachpost.com November 20, 2013

Published on: September 25, 2013

Man Cycling the Country for Charity Struck and Injured on the Way to Miami

by Friedland | Carmona

A hit-and-run crash almost ended a 175-mile bicycle journey for a deaf man hoping to raise awareness about cochlear implants. Twenty-four-year-old Jacob Landis will not be riding his bike into Marlins Park stadium Tuesday, where his bike ride for charity was expected to come to an end. Landis still plans to attend the event.

Landis’ charity bike ride entailed biking to every Major League Ball Park. He was on schedule to complete the 11,000 mile journey before the accident occurred on Saturday. Landis received a cochlear implant when he was 10, which allowed him to hear. He hoped to raise $1 million through the charity bike ride to assist others who cannot afford the implant. Landis began his journey in his hometown of Annapolis, Maryland. As a result of the crash on Saturday, Landis suffered a concussion as well as other injuries.

Deaf man cycling for cause injured on way to Miami, www.miamiherald.com September 23, 2013

Published on: April 4, 2013

Student Biking to School Struck by Car, in Critical Condition

by Friedland | Carmona

A sixteen-year-old was struck by a car this morning while riding his bicycle to Port St. Lucie High School. He was transported to a local hospital where he remains in critical condition. The crash occurred just before 7 a.m. in the 2200 block of SE Tiffany Avenue.

Henry Hunter was riding beside another bicyclist, an eighteen-year-old girl, in the westbound lanes when he was hit from behind. Port St. Lucie Police spokesman Frank Sabol stated that the car that hit Hunter was a Ford Mustang driven by eighty-two-year-old Robert Swanson. When Swanson struck Hunter, he rolled over the hood of the car and smashed his head on the windshield. The other bicyclist was not hit or injured.

The Port St. Lucie Police conducted an investigation at the scene, which shut down Tiffany Avenue east of Lennard Road until just after 11 a.m. Sabol stated that no charges have yet been filed, but may be filed upon completion of the investigation.

Car strikes student biking to Port St. Lucie High; boy, 16, in critical condition, www.palmbeachpost.com April 02, 2013

Published on: February 7, 2013

Sunrise Cyclist Killed in Hit-and-Run, Family Asks Driver to Come Forward

by Friedland | Carmona

The grieving family of a bicyclist killed as a result of a hit-and-run accident is asking for the public to help find the driver that struck their loved one. Sunrise police found the body of 49-year-old John Quintal at 9:10 p.m. on Sunday in the 2100 block of Sunset Strip. Next to him was his twisted bike with a smashed front tire, along with silver paint chips, and debris left behind from the car that struck Quintal. Quintal was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to Sgt. Rodney Hailey, Sunrise traffic homicide officers plan to determine the make and model of the vehicle using the debris left behind at the scene. Investigators are also checking the area for surveillance cameras that may have recorded the driver leaving the scene of the accident.

Quintal’s ex-wife, Tania Quintal, and the couple’s son, Jonathan Quintal, flew in from Queens, N.Y. Monday to make arrangements for John Quintal. Tania Quintal urged the driver to come forward and to “make amends.” The family continues to grieve the loss of their loved one as investigators work towards bringing them some kind of closure.

Family seeks help catching hit-and-run driver, www.sun-sentinel.com February 6, 2013

Published on: September 21, 2012

Driver Pleads Guilty After Killing and Injuring Key Biscayne Cyclists

by Friedland | Carmona

Michele Traverso crashed into Aaron Cohen and Enda Walsh as the two were riding their bikes along the Rickenbacker Causeway on an early February morning. While Walsh was severely injured after being struck by Traverso, Cohen died at the scene. Traverso had been driving with a suspended license at the time of the crash and surrendered himself to police eighteen hours later. While there were reports that Cohen had been drinking in Coconut Grove before the crash, police were unable to ascertain his blood alcohol level because of the time lapse between the crash and Traverso turning himself into police.

Traverso was in court earlier this week to deal with the charges against him: leaving the scene of an accident involving a death, leaving the scene of an accident with great bodily harm and driving with a suspended license. He pleaded guilty to all the charges, as well as an additional cocaine charge but received no plea deal. He faces a maximum of 35 years in prison for his crimes but could serve as little as 22.8 months.

The accident, which came almost two years after a similar hit and run accident on the Rickenbacker Causeway reignited calls for increased safety for cyclists and runners. Other cyclists erected a billboard in Cohen’s honor to bring attention to bicycle safety. Cohen’s family has filed a lawsuit against Traverso’s father, who owns the car Traverso was driving when he struck and killed Cohen. The damage amount the family is seeking has not been reported.

Driver pleads guilty in hit-run bicycle crash on Rickenbacker, www.miamiherald.com September 19, 2012.

Published on: August 15, 2012

South Florida Implements New Campaign To Protect Cyclists And Pedestrians

by Friedland | Carmona

Fearly Brownlee always told his family that he was worried about riding his bike on South Florida’s roadways, but it was his only mode of transportation. When a county bus clipped him a few months ago, he assured his family that he would be more careful. Yet, he was struck by a car and killed as he was walking his bike across an intersection on July 17. Following Brownlee’s death and the death of two cyclists struck and killed by a fleeing burglar, the state of Florida announced it was launching a campaign to reduce the number of bike and pedestrian fatalities in the state. Florida is known for having some of the deadliest roads in the nation.

The new campaign is aimed at increasing “public awareness, safer street design, bike paths and enhanced police work.” But state officials claim that drivers need to change their mindsets in order to reduce the number of deaths. The state has been given a $7.5 million grant by the Department of Transportation for their mission. The four cornerstones of the campaign are what creators call the four “E”s: engineering, education, enforcement and emergency services.

In 2010, there were over 5,000 bicycle accidents reported in Florida. Statistics show that most vehicles are struck in the front, about one half of bicycle accidents occur when the cyclist is crossing an intersection, and “failure to yield and careless driving on the part of the motorist were listed as contributing causes to the accidents 23 percent and 10 percent of the time.” Expect to see billboards, television ads and bus stop postings warning drivers to be aware of cyclists and pedestrians.

Crossroads between cyclists and motorists often fatal, www.sun-sentinel.com August 10, 2012.

Published on: August 7, 2012

Felon Attempts To Evade Broward Police, Kills Two Cyclists

by Friedland | Carmona

Christopher McConnell and Dean Amelkin lost their lives in a senseless tragedy as they were innocently riding their bikes in suburban Broward County. After spending their night gambling at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino near Hollywood, Obrian Oakley and Sadik Baxter had burglarized several cars in the Rock Creek neighborhood, stealing a drum set, an old iPod and about $2 in change. Concerned citizens took a picture of the crime in progress and called 911 around 7 a.m. As Baxter confronted the citizens, Oakley disappeared in their get-away car.

Driving at speeds of over 110 miles per hours though western Broward County, Oakley attempted to evade police. According to police, Oakley told them that he looked back at the officers pursing him and that was when he hit a Toyota at the Sheridan Street and Palm Avenue intersection, forcing his car to spin out of control. Oakley’s car struck the two cyclists and then came to a halt. Oakley left the scene to hide in a nearby apartment complex. He was arrested at 11:50 a.m. after surrendering himself to police. Oakley has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder and with causing a crash involving death or personal injury, along with several other charges.

The men who died were both described as loving, family-oriented men. McConnell was pronounced dead at the scene from multiple blunt force traumas. There are no reports as to whether Amelkin was pronounced dead at the scene or at a nearby hospital. The two were traveling a familiar route with two other cyclists, both of whom were unharmed. Several bouquets of flowers and two American flags now decorate the accident site in an attempt to mask the black skid marks in the road, the dented railing and the damaged trees that remain. The men both leave behind a wife and children. When asked about the crash, Celia Conti of the Cooper City-based South Broward Wheelers bike club stated, “You just realize how vulnerable you are out there. ”
Men denied bond after crash kills two Broward cyclists, www.miamiherald.com August 06, 2012.

Published on: August 1, 2012

Cyclist Hit On Key Biscayne’s Rickenbacker Causeway, In Critical Condition

by Friedland | Carmona

An unidentified male cyclist was struck by a black BMW as he rode along the Rickenbacker Causeway on Tuesday. The cyclist suffered a head injury and was taken to Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital, where he remains in critical condition. The driver of the BMW, who struck the cyclist near the Rusty Pelican restaurant, did not leave the scene of the accident. Police are still investigating the incident to determine who is at fault for the accident.

The Rickenbacker Causeway has been the site of several cyclist accidents. Christophe LeCanne was run over and killed on Bear Cut Bridge two years ago. Aaron Cohen died and his fellow cyclist was injured after a driver slammed into them on Powell Bridge in February. Cohen’s death caused a stir in the community–ridges were added to the road to help caution drivers if they entered the bike lane and Safe Streets Miami, a traffic safety campaign, was created. The campaign is lobbying for more pedestrian crosswalk and bike lanes and “road designs that have ‘lower speed limits, narrower traffic lanes, and traffic-calming measures such as traffic circles and flashing crosswalks,'” according to its website.

Cyclist hit on Rickenbacker Causeway in critical condition, www.miamiherald.com July 31, 2012.

Published on: July 17, 2012

Coral Springs Teen Thrown From Bicycle, Dies From Injuries

by Friedland | Carmona

Sixteen-year-old Robert Miller was riding on the handlebars of a friend’s bike when he was thrown into traffic in early July. The fall forced him into the path of a car, which injured the teen. Miller was transported to Broward Health North for treatment of his injuries, but he later died at the hospital.

According to police, twenty-six-year-old was heading down Royal Palm Boulevard around 10 p.m. when the cyclist attempted to cross the road. Police believe the cyclist stopped short, forcing Miller off of the handlebars and into the street. The cyclist fled after the accident and police are still looking for any information as to his identity.

A memorial was held for Miller last week and almost five hundred family and friends were in attendance. Friends have planned a vigil to be held at 7 p.m. tonight to honor their friend. The vigil is being held at Coral Glades High School in Coral Springs.

Vigil planned for Coral Springs teen killed in bike wreck, www.sun-sentinel.com July 16, 2012.