5 dead after truck runs into group of bicyclists near Las Vegas

msn ^ | 12/10/2020 | David K. Li and Josh Cradduck

[BenLurkin]

A group of cyclists were riding and had a Subaru hatchback "safety car" assigned to trail them when they were hit about 9:30 a.m. on southbound U.S. Highway 95 near Mile Marker 36, according to Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Travis Smaka.

A southbound truck "entered into the group of bicyclists, some of them were traveling behind the safety vehicle, they were struck, the safety vehicle was also struck as well as some the bicyclists in front of the safety vehicle," Smaka said.

The five cyclists were pronounced dead at the scene, south of Boulder City and north of Searchlight. One bicyclist suffered critical injuries and was airlifted to University Medical Center, officials said.

[kelly4c]

I wasn’t able to ask. Felt bad because as she works in a different office and I don’t see her too often I wasn’t even aware it happened. She mentioned not being able to get in Christmas spirit this year considering. I said why oh yeah Covid....she then told me.

[Blue Jays]

"...and you hit something that has a right to be in that roadway, you own it lock, stock, and barrel..."

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Absolutely agree. That roadway where the collision occurred on a clear morning is arrow-straight with good sightlines.
The driver of the truck had a responsibility to recognize traffic ahead and begin braking so he could safely assess the situation.

[EVO X]

Update on the tragedy:

https://dailycaller.com/2020/12/16/truck-meth-cyclists-killed-charged-dui/

[Blue Jays]

"...(Truck) driver was released, cooperated with investigators, and impairment does not seem to be an issue, officials said..."

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Well, a very big turn of events, it seems. The crash investigation uncovered significant drug impairment.
Drivers high on drugs and alcohol fail to control vehicles, fail to see others, and frequently responsible for tragic collisions. It appears that happened here.

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LAS VEGAS (AP) — The driver of a box truck that struck and killed five bicyclists on a Nevada highway last week had a high level of methamphetamine in his system, prosecutors said Wednesday.

The 45-year-old man from Kingman, Arizona, faces 12 felony charges, including driving under the influence and reckless driving, in a criminal complaint filed in Las Vegas.

He was arrested Wednesday in Kingman and will be extradited to Nevada, where the charges he faces could put him in state prison for decades, the Clark County district attorney said.

The man had told investigators after the Dec. 10 crash that he fell asleep at the wheel on southbound Highway 95 between Boulder City and Searchlight.

Around 9:40 a.m., his truck ran into a group of about 20 bicyclists accompanied by an escort car. It hit several who were riding behind the support vehicle — a Subaru Outback — and then pushed that car into the bicyclists in front of it. Five people were pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver said he was on his regular work route, a 130-mile run from Las Vegas to Kingman by way of Bullhead City, prosecutor Eric Bauman said.

The initial announcement from the Nevada Highway Patrol said alcohol or drug impairment was not suspected, but blood tests showed he had nine times an allowable amount of methamphetamine in his system, Bauman said.

Prosecutors indicate driver was using methamphetamine — Mercury News

[cyclotic]

So for all of you who blamed the cyclists, you may apologize now.

[Blue Jays]

"...So for all of you who blamed the cyclists, you may apologize now..."

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Exactly. Watch the anti-cyclist crowd pivot to:
"Well, who has not driven with 9x the allowable amount of meth in their system?"

[Blue Jays]

"...Five dead near Las Vegas..."

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Here you go. About 145-150 comments in the thread at this point.

[Paladin2]

I’m not seeing a “Box Truck” there.

[Zhang Fei]

[I wasn’t able to ask. Felt bad because as she works in a different office and I don’t see her too often I wasn’t even aware it happened. She mentioned not being able to get in Christmas spirit this year considering. I said why oh yeah Covid....she then told me.]

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Thanks for the follow-up. Tragic, and not the kind of thing you ask for details about, unless they’re volunteered. Just when she thought the year couldn’t get any worse - it does. We should all count our blessings.

[caww]

....” That should be an awfully safe ride”....

I've never seen any “vehicle” where you have to ‘balance’ between two rolling wheels a ‘safe’ ride. Put 20 bicycle riders together balancing their wheels isn't exactly the way to safely travel on an open highway.

[caww]

It’s not about blaming the cyclists it’s understanding that bicyclists can be and are often putting themselves at risk when they are biking on highways with nothing at all to protect their bodies in any vehicle accident.

[Blue Jays]

"...isn't exactly the way to safely travel..."

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It was a open, straight, clear road during daylight hours with riders undoubtedly wearing bright colors and ubiquitous strobes.
The fatalities were caused by a speeding DUI driver, blasted on meth, who smashed his truck into other lawful road users.

[sphinx]

I've never seen any “vehicle” where you have to ‘balance’ between two rolling wheels a ‘safe’ ride.

Actually, it's not hard if you've over the age of five and sober.

[caww]

You’re still balancing on two thin wheels.....and unprotected.

[caww]

Not the point.....bicyclists are at great risk and their bodies unprotected in any highway/road accident....regardless of the cause.

[Blue Jays]

"...unprotected..."

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What if the DUI speeding truck driver instead smashed into a subcompact car driver paused at roadside to make a cellphone call?
Having someone collide with another at 80 mph is going to be horrible and almost certainly with injuries or fatalities.
Fault resides with the DUI truck driver. He needed to be sober and in control of his truck.

[RitchieAprile]

I did it in 15 back in ‘78.

an epic ride..

[Bubba Ho-Tep]

It is unfortunate to see in reading posts that some FReepers seem borderline gleeful about this sad and tragic news.

The attitude on display here, that cyclists deserve whatever they get for daring to use public roads, is one of the reasons I've pretty much given up cycling.

[Noumenon]

Thats no slouch of a time. The hardest part of the ride was always the last 35 miles in the flats with the dreaded headwinds or quartering headwinds. That’s where it becomes a test of mental toughness.

[RitchieAprile]

Davis DC that is..