Charges likely in bicyclist’s traffic death

By John W. Goodwin Jr.

Police are still investigating the accident.

YOUNGSTOWN — Police say charges could come as early as next week in a car-bicycle accident that took the life of a city man.

Police said Shelton Harris, 57, of Sherwood Avenue, was riding his bicycle along the 100 block of Hudson Avenue about 10 a.m. Monday when he was struck by a blue Oldsmobile Cutlass.

Harris was carried about 200 feet with the impact of the collision.

Detective Sgt. Patricia Garcar said two people in the car got out and ran after striking Harris, leaving the Oldsmobile at the accident scene. She said the car was not reported stolen. Garcar said there is no mystery as to who was driving the vehicle, but police are still sorting out the details in the accident.

“We have identified everyone involved. We have the players and the suspects. We just have to interview everyone involved and piece it all together,” she said.

Garcar said charges are pending and could be filed as early as next week.

Garcar said police believe the accident did not involve “normal, regular everyday driving,” and there were other issues involved leading to the accident. She would not say what those other issues might be but did offer some general tips to drivers sharing the road with cyclists.

Garcar said drivers must obey all driving laws and be defensive and aware of their surroundings so that cyclists and small children are noticed.

Garcar gave no indication that Harris was not following proper cyclist safety protocol when the accident took place.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, each year, more than 500,000 people in the United States are treated in emergency rooms, and more than 700 people die as a result of bicycle-related injuries.

Adventuresports.com encourages cyclists to remember that bicycles are vehicles and to follow certain rules when riding. Some of those rules are using a proper helmet and hand signals, riding of bicycles near the right edge of the road and obeying traffic control devices.

jgoodwin@vindy.com