Bicyclist seriously injured in Bybee Blvd. collision

By David F. Ashton

The Bee, Nov 25, 2009 (1 Reader comment)

A bicyclist was seriously injured in Westmoreland on October 24th, when a vehicle quickly turned in front of the rider.

An eyewitness, Rob Walton, an Eastmoreland resident, told THE BEE why he was so concerned about this accident — which took place on S.E. Bybee Boulevard, just west of the Bybee Bridge over S.E. McLoughlin Boulevard — that put a young woman in the hospital with serious injuries. “What was so scary to me is that this was a relatively slow-speed collision, in broad daylight, and in good weather.”

About 10 am, Walton said, he were driving west over the Bybee Overpass and saw a bicyclist, also westbound, about 50 feet in front of him.

“The bicyclist entered the intersection, from the bike lane, still going west, riding with the green light. A car, headed east [on Bybee Blvd.] was turning turn left in front of her. We watched as the bicyclist hit the rear of the car.” He added, “This was frightening to see, and should be a very serious reminder to all drivers and riders to be careful!”

Walton said he assumes the car’s driver didn’t see the cyclist. “We were with her immediately, and stayed with her until the emergency crew arrived.” He added that the bicyclist appeared to have broken the right rear window of the vehicle as she struck it, before landing in the street. “She was wearing a helmet, but appeared to suffer serious facial injuries.”

Portland Police Bureau spokesperson Detective Mary Wheat confirmed that a call came in regarding the crash at 10:13 am, at S.E. 23rd Avenue and S.E. Bybee Boulevard. “The report states that bicyclist was using the bike lane, and had the right of way. The bicyclist was transported to OHSU and was admitted to Intensive Care. Her injuries were serious but not life-threatening, and she was wearing a helmet.” No further report is available on her condition, due to new federal privacy laws.

Witness Walton said it looked as if the woman driving the car was “beside herself with anguish” over the incident. Wheat confirmed, “The driver was very cooperative, and was very concerned about the bike rider.”

No citations were issued to the driver of the car.

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