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Bicyclist Struck by Car Sunday

The incident happened at the intersection of Ox Road and South Run Oaks Drive. Cyclist's injuries were said to be life-threatening, but no update available.

A 61-year-old bicyclist was struck by a car at the intersection of Ox Road and South Run Oaks Drive on Sunday, according to authorities.

According to the Fairfax County Police Department, the accident was reported at about 3:30 p.m. Sunday when a 2006 Hyundai Tucson SUV was driving northbound down Ox Road. The bicycle was also traveling in northbound in the bike path.

As the two approached Southern Oaks Drive, the driver of the car attempted to make a right turn at the same time the cyclist entered that intersection, police said.  

“The bicyclist didn’t stop and the driver didn’t see him,” said Don Gotthardt, spokesman for the police department.

The two collided, and the bicyclist was taken to Inova Fairfax Hospital, said Dan Schmidt, spokesman for the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department.

The bicyclist reportedly had life-threatening injuries when he was taken to the hospital, Schmidt said. There was no immediate update on his status.

No one has been charged in the collision, police said.

The names of those involved were not immediately available.

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C. Davis May 15, 2012 at 08:17 pm
The article doesn't mention that the bike path at that intersection has a STOP sign for bicyclists, as well as a white line & the word STOP painted on the path.
CW May 15, 2012 at 09:46 pm
It does have a stop sign on the trail at this particular intersection, however we don't know how the cyclist was struck... did he run into the car or vice versa, was the car speeding, etc? I've stopped at that intersection on a bike, looked for cars and still almost been hit at least twice by drivers speeding and/or not paying attention to their own stop sign leaving the neighborhood.
Drivers need to pay attention for pedestrians/cyclists/dogs. Right or wrong in this case, drivers need to slow down and look at that intersection (and all of the northbound 123 intersections that cross that path.)
AD May 15, 2012 at 11:41 pm
I was one of the witnesses to this accident. The driver of the car was at fault. The article fails to mention that the car was speeding in the left lane and, without signaling or braking, recklessly crossed over the right lane and into the bicyclist.
Rachel Hatzipanagos (Editor) May 15, 2012 at 11:57 pm
Thanks for the comments. If you did see the crash or have more information, you can contact the police department's non-emergency line, 703-691-2131. The article states the information that the police have released to the general public at this time. Thanks!
AD May 16, 2012 at 12:04 am
Thanks, Rachel. The police have statements from me and other witnesses. It was a horrifying accident and I hold out hope the bicyclist recovers fully. I'll be checking back for status updates.
ASH May 16, 2012 at 12:08 am
I also witnessed this accident. The bicyclist could not even anticipate being horrifically struck and thrown from his bike, as the SUV made an unpredicted and dangerous right turn, without signaling or braking, from the left northbound lane. Thank God no other bicyclists or pedestrians were struck!
jason May 16, 2012 at 08:46 pm
Talk about criminal...I just relocated from an area where cycling was safe. I am terrified seeing how drivers operate vehicles around here, especially along Ox Road, but everywhere in general. I bought an indoor trainer instead of risking my life in NOVA with a bike. VA needs laws to prohibit talking on or texting with a cell phone while driving. In a car, I've had cars swerve toward me because drivers are yapping or typing away on the cell phone - distracted and not aware of their surroundings.
Bruce Wright May 17, 2012 at 03:22 pm
Does anyone have further information on the condition of the bicyclist?
SAC May 20, 2012 at 03:57 pm
Hello AD. I'm the person who was hit by the car on May 13. I've been discharged from the hospital with a number of fractured ribs and related injuries. I am grateful to be alive and appreciate your comments. I wonder if you would be willing to meet with me so that I could learn more about what happened. Thank you.
AD May 21, 2012 at 12:38 am
Hi SAC. I'm so happy to see your post and hope you're recovering well! Please contact me at ad419@hotmail.com.
SAC May 23, 2012 at 01:27 pm
Hello ASH. Thank you your comments. AD was very kind and helped me understand what happened. I was wondering if you too would be willing to share with me what you saw. Thank you.

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