Modesto bicyclist riding along highway near Knights Ferry dies in collision
A 67-year-old man from Modesto who was bicycling along Highway 120 a few miles east of Knights Ferry on Friday morning died after turning into the path of a car and being struck, according to the California Highway Patrol’s Sonora-area office.
The collision happened at about 10:40 a.m., according to the CHP’s online CHP Traffic Incident Information Page.
A CHP news release says the bicyclist was riding on the south shoulder of eastbound 120, west of Tulloch Dam Road.
An Oakdale resident, 22-year-old Leanda Lopez, was driving a 2005 Subaru east in the slow lane, going about 55-60 mph, the news release says.
The rider turned left from the shoulder, directly into the path of the Subaru. Lopez swerved to the right to avoid the crash, but the Modesto man also swerved back to the right, according to the CHP investigation.
The Subaru struck the bicycle, throwing the rider from it. Lifesaving measures were attempted, but he died at the scene. He was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.
The identity of the rider is being held pending notification of family.
