Two bicyclists seriously injured after being hit by car in Ypsilanti Township, deputies say
Two bicyclists were seriously injured Thursday when a distracted driver crashed into them from behind in Ypsilanti Township, Washtenaw County sheriff's deputies said.
A 23-year-old Dexter man was traveling west on South Congress Street when his car crossed the center line and hit the men at about 1:46 p.m., deputies said.
The bicyclists, ages 28 and 30, were taken by ambulance to St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, where they are listed in stable condition, sheriff's department spokesman Derrick Jackson said.
The driver and his passenger weren't injured in the accident, which occurred west of Stevens Drive, deputies said. According to Jackson, the driver told investigators he looked down for a moment prior to the collision.
"We're not sure exactly what distracted him at this point," Jackson said.
Jackson did not know whether the bicyclists were wearing helmets. He said alcohol and speed are not believed to be factors in the accident.
Jackson is asking any witnesses to call Det. Douglas McMullen at (734) 973-4482.
Lee Higgins is a reporter for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at (734) 623-2527 and e-mail at leehiggins@annarbor.com.
Comments
actionjackson
Sun, Oct 24, 2010 : 7:57 a.m.
Having lived for six decades in Ann Arbor it's not hard to notice that aggressive driving is taking a toll. Distracted, aggressive driving, worse yet. More bicycles on roadways with the above leads to the obvious. This isn't going to be a problem that is resolved anytime soon.
KJMClark
Sat, Oct 2, 2010 : 7:31 a.m.
Phil, you're funny. Joe, yeah, that thought went through my head as well. What an odd crash. The cyclists do sound like they were going the wrong way, but it makes very little difference. If it were a mom with two kids in a car going the other way, they, this motorist, and the passenger might all be dead now. It's almost lucky that the cyclists were going the wrong way, since the crash was at a lower speed that way, as opposed to a head-on where the speeds would have added up. If you look at the google map of this area, there *is* a semi headed in the other direction. I think it's scary that in cases of distraction like this, there is always someone who claims that we all make mistakes. But so distracted that you cross the centerline of a straight road and hit traffic on the other side? We all know that's too irresponsible to be acceptable.
Joe
Fri, Oct 1, 2010 : 9:12 p.m.
This isn't so much a mistake as an inevitable result of having millions of cars on the road all the time. As for "Side A," it does sound as though the bicyclists were riding on the wrong side of the street, but they deserve absolutely none of the blame for this accident. No one else has made that argument, and I hope you aren't trying to make that argument yourself. What penalty to place on the motorist is a matter of debate, but if the details in the article are accurate, no one could possibly make the case that the bicyclists were at fault.
s
Fri, Oct 1, 2010 : 7:18 p.m.
I saw someone on foot (in a crosswalk with the right-of-way) get hit by a bus downtown the other day. Scary!
Phillip Farber
Fri, Oct 1, 2010 : 6:22 p.m.
I'll save everyone time and energy: Side A: The driver made a "mistake", took his eyes off the road, something "everyone" has done at one time or another. So this crash was an "accident". The driver shouldn't have his young life ruined for a simple "mistake"; he didn't intentionally try to hurt anyone. Oh, and, if you're the biker, you own some of the blame for riding a bike near "fast moving traffic." Side B: There is no excuse for "taking your eyes off the road" when you're the pilot of a deadly weapon. This was not an "accident", it was negligence. The driver should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Bikers have the same rights to the road as motorists. I think that about covers it. You pick. As for myself, I'd advise care when driving and paranoia when cycling.
Woman in Ypsilanti
Fri, Oct 1, 2010 : 4:09 p.m.
And yet there probably isn't a driver in the world who never makes mistakes. Yes, we should all be aware of how dangerous an automobile can be. But vilifying people when they make mistakes isn't productive. It is productive to remind people that when they are driving they need to PAY ATTENTION both for their own safety and for the safety of others.
HerrSnibbens
Fri, Oct 1, 2010 : 3:50 p.m.
@ Semper Fi Yes I believe it actually does. Saying "it's a mistake" really isn't very helpful to the people you might maim or kill in your "distraction". It's a 2 ton machine. Drivers shouldn't get distracted. A moment of "distraction" = pointlessly shattered lives.
Chuck
Fri, Oct 1, 2010 : 3:44 p.m.
Was he distracted, possibly?
SemperFi
Fri, Oct 1, 2010 : 2:42 p.m.
@aabikes: It says that the driver was distracted. I don't believe that makes him ignorant and thoughtless. He made a mistake and someone was injured. Wishes for a speedy recovery to the bicyclists.
Ignatz
Fri, Oct 1, 2010 : 2:16 p.m.
Eric, Possibly the bicyclists were riding counter to the way traffic is supposed to go on that particular side of the road. Hence the bicycles and car were going in the same direction, just not on the same side of the road.
Eric
Fri, Oct 1, 2010 : 2:04 p.m.
It claims that the car crossed the centerline and hit them from behind. How exactly does that work?
tracyann
Fri, Oct 1, 2010 : 1:53 p.m.
Uh-oh. Here we go again. Commence debate.