Cyclist critically injured in traffic accident

Greg Risling

An unidentified bicyclist remained in critical condition Tuesday after he

was struck by an oncoming car in Costa Mesa late Monday night.

Police said they do not know the name of the man, reported to be in his

20s, because he wasn’t carrying any identification at the time of the

accident.

What police do know is at about 11:15 p.m. Monday, a 30-year-old Costa

Mesa woman was driving southbound on West 17th Street when her vehicle

struck the bicyclist, who was attempting to cross the six-lane street

near Fullerton Avenue.

The victim flew about 10 feet after being hit and fell hard on the

pavement. The woman, who was driving a 1998 Dodge Neon, was traveling

close to the speed limit, posted at 35 mph, when the accident happened,

police added.

The victim, who was not wearing a helmet, suffered a fractured skull and

was rushed to Western Medical Center in Santa Ana.

Police said the accident may have been caused by two factors: both

parties had allegedly been drinking and the bicycle wasn’t equipped with

proper reflectors.

“There wasn’t any lighting on the bike,” said Costa Mesa police Sgt. Dave

Andersen. “We are also looking into the possibility that he failed to

yield to traffic and possibly ran the stop sign.”

While police said the driver was well below the legal limit for driving

under the influence, similar tests are pending for the victim. It is

unclear whether either party will face any charges.