bay area cycling news

It seems news agencies are digging down into some of the news about Gabriel Vera, the driver of the big-rig who collided with cyclist Lauren Ward. The Contra Costa Times is now reporting that a civil wrongful death suit was settled against Vera for $1.5 million from the 2007 Santa Cruz death of John Myslin, the other cyclist-death accident that Vera was involved in. [demolition company] Randazzo [Enterprises] and Vera agreed to contribute insurance money in exchange for release of all claims and a dismissal of the lawsuit, according to the May 2008 civil case in Santa Cruz County Superior Court. Read more at the Contra Costa Times website .

Palo Alto Online is reporting that a cyclist was hit by a car and injured on El Camino Way in Palo Alto: The adult male was transported to a local hospital after the collision, which occurred in front of Palo Alto Commons senior housing in the 4000 block of El Camino Way , Battalion Chief Geo Blackshire said. Read (not much) more on their website .

It seems that the truck driver in the November 4 fatal collision with cyclist Lauren Ward was also involved in another cyclist getting killed in Santa Cruz in August 2007. On Aug. 7, 2007, Vera's big rig and cyclist John Myslin, a 25-year-old high school teacher, collided at the intersection of Mission and Bay streets in Santa Cruz. An investigation concluded that the popular Pacific Collegiate School teacher was at fault and police advised the Santa Cruz County District Attorney's Office not to file charges against Vera. Police have yet to release a final statement on the November 4 crash because a lack of eyewitnesses is making the analysis difficult. If you have any information regarding the November 4 crash, please call CHP investigators at 650-369-6261. Read more at the Palo Alto Daily News (on Mercury News' website).

A cyclist was injured while turning in traffic in santa Cruz yesterday. Just before 4 p.m., a 63-year-old Santa Cruz man was turning left from Water Street on to Front Street. He made a hand signal but collided with a small sedan, said Santa Cruz police spokesman Zach Friend. Santa Cruz police ask anyone with information on the incident to call investigations at 420-5820 or the anonymous tip line at 831-420-5995. Read more at the Mercury News .

A 13-year-old boy suffered a broken nose when he apparently ran a stop sign and hit a school bus this morning, thankfully avoiding being in front of the school bus as it was passing. The boy, who was not wearing a helmet, was coming through a passageway from Oregon Expressway to Oregon Avenue, according to Montiel. "He basically ran the stop sign and hit the right front of a school bus that was traveling east on Oregon Avenue," Montiel said. Read more at the Palo Alto Online .

Contra Costa Times and the Santa Cruz Sentinel are both reporting that information is desired in a Watsonville hit-and-run Monday morning: The cyclist had minor injuries from the collision and was not transported to the hospital, CHP officer Sarah Jackson said. The Toyota damaged its ride side mirror, and it was last seen headed toward southbound Highway 1, Jackson said. The CHP asks anyone with information on the incident to call [831] 796-2100. Read the sparse details on Contra Costa Times' website .

San Mateo County Times (via San Jose Mercury News website) has a great piece on Lauren Ward, the bicyclist who was killed Thursday by an 18 wheeler on Alpine road. Veronica Lentfer, a friend who knew Ward through the swim club and went on several bike rides with her, said she was always trying to help make the roads safer for bicyclists. Read more on their site .

Sadly, a sigalert says that a cyclist has been killed on Alpine & highway 280 this afternoon. Possible Fatality - Alpine Rd at 280 North 3:37 PM * Message/Item Delivered Fire 3:39 PM * 18 Wheeler vs Bicyclist 3:39 PM * Per 91-74 Inquire If a Comm Unit Can Rspn and Assist Please 3:43 PM * Female Advsing Subject not Moving Under Semi--Can See a Hat and Shoes Only Sticking Out 3:45 PM * Reporting Party on Line 10 Connected Fire--Fire Going On Scene 3:45 PM * Per 91-74 West Lanes is Closed 3:46 PM * CHP Unit on Scene 3:46 PM * Roll Corner 3:47 PM * CHP Unit on Scene 3:50 PM * Message/Item Delivered Smco Coroner, Will Call Back 3:51 PM * CHP Unit on Scene 3:51 PM * Transportation Management Center Copies-Confirm Only with B Alpine is Closed at this Time, E/b Still Open? Thanks 4:00 PM * CHP Unit on Scene 4:00 PM * Copy Thanks, Will Post in Media Log 4:02 PM * CHP Unit on Scene 4:03 PM * CHP Unit on Scene 4:05 PM * CHP Unit on Scene 4:26 PM * Thomas Guide Map Coordinates: 810 2E So it go