A bicyclist was killed this morning near Salina, after being struck from behind by a vehicle whose driver fled the scene. The victim is a female from Ottawa County; her name and age have not yet been released.
The Saline County Sheriff is asking for the public’s help in locating the vehicle and driver involved in the collision. Police found broken parts at the scene, and believe the vehicle to be a 2001 Chevrolet or GMC pickup truck, possibly a Tahoe, Silverado, or similar model, with damage to the passenger side front.
From KSAL:
Saline County Sheriff Deputy Lance Zurfluh said at the scene that a female was riding a bicycle at around 8:15 in the morning, heading west on West Crawford Street west of Salina. She was apparently hit from behind by an unknown vehicle. The vehicle then left the scene.
Zurfluh says that a truck driver passing by came upon the scene. He stopped after seeing the crumpled bicycle. He called for help, and discovered the injured rider nearby.
The rider, whose name was not immediately released, is a female from Ottawa County. She died at Salina Regional Health Center.
Deputies are asking for the public’s help in locating the suspect vehicle. They did find broken parts at the scene. The suspect vehicle is believed to be a 2001 Chevrolet or GMC pickup truck. It might be a Tahoe, Silverado, or similar model. It will have damage to the passenger side front.
Anyone with any possible information is asked to contact the Saline County Sheriff’s Office at 785-826-6500.
Salina.com reports that: “The back wheel of the woman’s bicycle had been knocked off and mangled, and her shoes had been knocked off, Zurpluh said. The woman had been wearing a helmet.”
More info from KWCH and SalinaPost.com. Photo courtesy KCWH.
This is, as far as I know, the first bicyclist killed in Kansas in 2013.
I’ll post more information as it’s released. Hopefully that will include an arrest very soon.
Post tags: Gail Kline, Inattentive Driving, Salina
Devastating…I’ll be looking for this careless driver. My thoughts and prayers go out to this cyclists family.