A woman hit by a tractor-trailer while riding her bike down SW Madison near Chapman Square and Terry Schrunk Plaza last night has died of her injuries, police announced this morning. She was identified as 29-year-old Kathryn Leah Rickson.
Rickson was eastbound on Madison and heading toward SW Third—a direct line to the Hawthorne Bridge—when the collision happened, police said. The truck, which was stopped at Madison, was trying to turn right on Third. Rickson was taken to a hospital, where she later died.
Bike Portland’s Jonathan Maus has the most thorough writeup of what happened, including an email from someone who came upon the scene after the collision:
I was riding my bike home from a meeting when I came upon the accident just after it had happened. I came down S.W. Madison and saw the truck stopped part way through a right turn. When I got closer I saw the wrecked bike and then saw that the rider was down. The rear tires of the semi’s cab were pinning one of her legs. Another cyclist stopped around the same time, and indicated he was a paramedic. We had the driver move the truck slowly back, and I got the young woman’s leg out from under the truck tire. But there is no doubt she was severely injured. The bike frame was crushed, seemingly indicating the truck had rolled over it, and she was still on the bike.
The accident occurred right next to the Justice Center, but it seemed like an eternity before emergency services arrived. I’m sure it was only a couple of minutes, but for a few moments it wasn’t clear if the victim was still alive.
As the news has reported, the truck driver was extremely distraught. For all the people at OLive [OregonLive] crowing about who “wins” when a truck hits a bicyclist, the obvious answer is ‘no one.'”
Photos of the scene are here. Maus says this was an unusual right-hook collision because “the PPB says the truck had its signal on and that the woman was struck by the front portion of the cab. This is significant, because, according to the PPB, most right hook collisions involve the trailer and rear of the of the truck rolling over the victim.”
No matter the mechanics involved here, my condolences to everyone involved.
It is incredibly frustrating to see this happen over and over again. Our cycling infrastructure is such that you have to be a relatively experienced cyclist to sense dangerous situations like this and avoid them. This should not be a requirement to safely ride a bike in the city. The solution is easy:
http://www.treehugger.com/bikes/cyclists-and-pedestrians-keep-getting-killed-trucks-when-solution-easy-mandatory-side-guards.html
No articulated trailers in the central city (except for emergency vehicles). Side guards on all trucks.
Just terrible. I don’t know that outlawing certain types of vehicles in certain areas is the answer, but man, what a tragedy.
MY DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO HER FAMILY.
This is why I hate/loath night riding so much! This is those panic semi-dreams come to life (no pun intended).
If you’re using this tragedy to try and get semi’s off the road in downtown, as some are already doing, you’re garbage. Period. Her body isn’t even cold and they’re already trying to use her. Unreal. Some people in this city literally have no shame.
THERE IS A GREEN BOX THERE! They obviously give a false sense of security!!! SO TRAGIC!!!!
Chuck,
When do you suggest we bring up this issue. Several pedestrians and cyclists have died because of trucks like this. In a week, no one will care about this anymore. If Sam Adams comes out in a month with a proposal to remove highway trucks from the central city, no one will remember this tragedy. I’m just sick and tired of the carnage. I want the city to work as quickly as they can to prevent this from happening to anyone else. Offering condolences isn’t going to bring her back. Fighting immediately to make safety improvements may save someone else.
My condolances to the family as well.
And though I nearly got hit by a pick-up biking to work last monday, I gotta agree with Chuck.
This is absolutely heartbreaking. Looking at this young woman’s eyes, at the life & promise of eye’s that had no hint of the horrific & senseless accident to come, tears at the mind & the heart. It is profound & tragic. Please, allow a few days before debating bike vs car laws. For now, it isn’t about that. It should be in the future, but, for now, can we just feel the loss of a beautiful & giving spirit?
“Offering condolences isn’t going to bring her back. Fighting immediately to make safety improvements may save someone else. “
Not everyone wants to be used to forward a cause. I know I don’t.
I agree with Chuck Garabedian. Time and place people. No one will care in a week? I will, and I did not know this person. I won’t comment on Adams, other then the fact that he did not go to her memorial.
All traffic should halt at a red light, stop, etc. Traveling, ie; passing on the right, should not be legal for any vehicle on the street. That means no passing when the traffic has stopped. Bikes should have a mandatory helmet law. I wouldn’t complain if they made drivers wear them too. Heck, pedestrians too.Fair is fair. This poor girl had no protection in this instance. Larger, better, reflectors and lights, and easy to see riding clothing would help. Motor vehicle drivers need to go back to the law of two and ten. That was, for you youngsters, BOTH hands on the wheel! No eating, smoking, drinking, phoning, texting etc. ever, whilst driving. The type of vehicle is only an excuse to avoid the real problems of riders, pedestrians, and drivers not having the same rules to follow.This was yet another senseless loss of a most valuable person. How many lives have to be destroyed before we address this issue logically? I would go so far as to say that some pathways for bikers need to be , bikes only. For safety for them, and pedestrians alike. Bike riding is a sensible way to travel, as long as the drivers and pedestrians can see, hear, and understand their signals. And, see and hear them prior to running into each other.I have, on a regular basis. bikers mow me down on N.Lombard on the sidewalk. I was injured only once. However, the street is too dangerous for them to ride on. I understand the problem. I would love to see it made safer for all, everywhere. A goal that can, and must be met