bay area cycling news

The Menlo Park Patch is reporting that the CHP today updated findings on the November 2010 collision between cyclist Lauren Ward and an 18-wheeler driven by Gabriel Vera of Randazzo Enterprises Inc. After reviewing the data from the initial report, conducting a forensics analysis, and reconstructing the events that transpired that day, CHP Spokesman Art Montiel says their findings have changed. “It has been determined the big rig truck and bicycle came into contact with the left front portion of the truck colliding with the right rear portion of the bicycle, while the bike was still in an upright position,“ Montiel said. Read more on the Menlo Park Patch's site . What's still unclear is whether the CHP will be filing charges against the driver, or whether Lauren was cleared from being at fault for her own death.

SF StreetsBlog is reporting on the collision between 25-year-old Nancy Ho and a delivery truck in SoMa on Wednesday. Nancy Ho of San Francisco was pronounced dead at San Francisco General Hospital shortly before 11 last night. She is the first bicyclist to die from a collision with a vehicle on San Francisco streets this year. San Francisco police said she was traveling eastbound on Mission Street yesterday around 8:04 a.m. when she was hit by a Berkeley Farms truck while making a left turn onto Fremont Street. Lt. Troy Dangerfield said the left turn is prohibited except for buses and taxis, and blamed Ho for causing the crash. Read the article (and the hundreds of comments) on the SF StreetsBlog website .

Police Detective Sal Madrigal said the unidentified driver of a white Volvo was traveling southwest on Oregon Expressway and made a right-hand turn onto Cowper Street when he or she collided with the victim and sped away. Read a bit more on the Palo Alto Online website. If you have information about the hit-and-run, please call the Palo Alto Police Department at 650-329-2413.

Berkeley resident Anthony Michael Martin, a physicist and former professional cyclist who goes by the name of Mike, was possibly riding his bike in the hills of Berkeley or Oakland when he went missing, since his cell phone was found on Saturday by a cyclist on Tunnel Road in Berkeley. The possibility of him passing out on a steep climb is high, friends say, because of his attempts with liquid diets and fasting. If anybody has information on his whereabouts please call the Berkeley Police at 510-981-5900. Read more details at the Berkeley Patch .

56-year-old Timothy Bucher was killed last Wednesday bicycling in Castro Valley near Fairmont Drive and Foothill, when a San Francisco woman didn't notice where she was driving and hit him. The bicyclist, 56-year-old Timothy Bucher, hit his head on the windshield of the car and landed in the roadway, CHP officials said. Bucher was wearing his helmet but still suffered major injuries. He was taken to Eden Medical Center where he was pronounced dead, according to the CHP. Read a few more details at the Pleasanton Weekly .

The Santa Cruz Patch reports that due to community efforts, the burgundy Nissan that was involved in the hit-and-run death of cyclist Zachary Parke on the UC Santa Cruz campus last week was found. "However, they have held back further details while the investigation continues."

A 25 year old bicyclist is the probable victim of a hit-and-run early this morning near the UC Santa Cruz campus on Empire Grade Road. The body was found by a passing cyclist around 8am today. Pieces of debris indicate the the car could be a maroon or burgundy Nissan. From the Santa Cruz Sentinel : Pudge said the driver of a maroon or burgundy Nissan is suspected of hitting the cyclist on Tuesday night or this morning. Pieces of the car's headlight were found at the scene, as well as paint chips, bicycle parts and other debris. ... Law enforcement officers are looking for the car and driver. CHP officer Sarah Jackson said the Nissan likely has a damaged headlight, side mirror, fender or other damaged areas on its front end. Please keep an eye out for a damaged red Nissan and call the CHP if you have any information; 831-622-0511 or 831-796-2160.