Omaha bicyclist dies of injuries

By ROSS BOETTCHER
World-Herald Staff Writer
From: http://www.omaha.com/article/20100130/NEWS01/701309851

A 57-year-old man riding a bicycle died today after he was struck by a hit-and-run driver in south Omaha.

Police identified the dead man as Jose Sandoval of Omaha.

Witnesses said Sandoval left the Super Laundry laundromat near 37th and Q Streets about 9:45 a.m. on his bike.

He was crossing Q Street just east of 37th Street when he was struck by a westbound Dodge Dakota pickup truck, police said.

The driver sped away from the scene, swerving and speeding through traffic before striking another automobile, witnesses said.

Police later arrested the driver at his Omaha home. He was identified as Tomas De La Cruz-Prado, 19.

He was booked on suspicion of felony motor vehicle homicide, leaving the scene of an accident, driving under the influence and operating a motor vehicle without a license.

Sandoval was taken to Creighton University Medical Center, where he died from his injuries.

Moises Jutierrez, who said he called 911 and tended to Sandoval after he was struck, said the man had a wound on the back of his head and was bleeding from his nose, mouth and ears.

“He was moving and conscious but wasn't talking,” Jutierrez said.

Police said Sandoval was not wearing a helmet.

More stories:

• WOWT - Bicyclist Killed By Hit-And-Run Driver
• KETV - Cyclist Dies After Truck Collision
• KMTV - Driver Kills Bicyclist and Takes Off
  

BikeWise.org - Registry for Crashes, Hazards and Thefts

Wouldn't it be cool if you could share reports of bike crashes, hazards, and thefts online? You can at Bikewise (http://www.bikewise.org/).

Bikewise is offered as a public service by the Cascade Bicycle Club, based in Seattle, Washington. This online service, leveraging the Google Maps API, offers a place for cyclists all over the world to log bike related incidents including:

• bicycle crashes
• bicycling hazards
• bicycle thefts

Their mission is to begin collecting data that may be of use in trending bicycling issues and providing a method for cyclists to communicate safety issues to public officials.

While the web interface is very useful, I did find a few cases where navigation between certain features is not as intuitive as it should be. Make sure you set you default location (unless you live in Seattle) or you won't see anything on the map.

Visit Bikewise, create a profile, and start submitting your incidents. Let's put Omaha on the nation's bike map.

Bicyclist Injured In Baseball-Bat Attack

Steven Wurtele Says Attacker Jumped Out Of Passing Car

OMAHA, Neb. -- Police are looking for the person who severely injured a bicyclist with a baseball bat.

Steven Wurtele Jr., 20, said he was riding his bike near 48th and Q streets on Friday when someone jumped out of the window of a passing car and hit him in the face with the bat.

The impact fractured Wurtele's sinus cavity, he said. He also had to get stitches over his eye.

Police did not release a description of the person they're looking for in connection with the attack.

To the suspects that most likely will not be caught: I hope nothing bad happens to you because of your beyond foolish actions. I, instead, hope that someone near and dear suffers in the way you made a complete stranger suffer. You will get yours no matter what, but I hope you have to live with someone else suffering in your life first you spineless imp. I mean seriously?

Yet another reason to get a gun holster on my bike.

- Out numbered, Out Reasoned, and Pedaling Onward into the shaky unknown metro.

R.I.P. Myles Davis, Jr., Lincoln Bike Commuter

Here is some sad news from the Lincoln cycling community:

Myles Davis Jr. was riding his bike Monday morning when he collided with a car at 23rd and Q streets.

Davis, 46, was taken to BryanLGH Medical Center West, where he was pronounced dead.

From the Lincoln Journal-Star.

This is also being reported on WOWT.com.

Both sites allow user comments.

Be careful out there, people, whether you're cycling or motoring.

Omaha Bicyclist Injured In Collision With Car

From WOWT news:

A man riding a bicycle was injured Wednesday night when he was hit by a car at Northwest Radial Highway and Hamilton.

Witnesses told Channel 6 News and police the car had the right-of-way. The impact sent the man and his bike flying into another car before landing about 20 feet away. The first car's windshield was smashed. The driver said she did not see him crossing the road. The crash happened at 7:10pm.

Witnesses said the bicyclist, 34-year old Martin Sojka, who was not wearing a helmet, was conscious and alert when transported to the hospital with a laceration to the head. His injuries aren't considered life-threatening.

The drivers of the two cars were not cited.

Watch for comments on the WOWT story here.

From KMTV news:

Omaha, NE - Medics rush a seriously hurt bike rider to the hospital. Omaha Police investigators tell Action 3 News that 34-year old Martin Sojka was riding his bike near Northwest Radial and Hamilton Street when he crossed an intersection against a red light.

A car slammed into Sojka's bike, sending him flying into the air. He then fell onto another car in the next lane. Medics and cops rushed to the intersection to save Sojka. They were even forced to shut down part of Northwest Radial.

Although the bike rider went to a hospital in serious condition, police believe he will survive his injuries. They say he was not wearing a helmet and admitted to drinking alcohol before the crash.

Police say they are not ticketing the drivers of the two cars.

Reported by Molli Graham, mgraham@action3news.com

There's a video report here: KMTV report