Cyclist Hit in Coconut Grove in Critical Condition

By Michael Miller Tue., Jul. 20 2010 at 1:42 PM

Categories: Bike Blog

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A cyclist remains in critical condition after an accident on South Dixie Highway at SW 17th Avenue early this morning. The rider was hit by a car sometime before 7 a.m., according to Miami Police.

His fixed-gear bike was left crumpled next to the road, according to passersby, and the cyclist is in critical but stable condition at Ryder Trauma Center.

Miami Police Det. William Moreno says blame has yet to be determined in the collision, but the accident was "possibly not the fault of the driver." He adds the driver of the car remained at the scene to help with the investigation.

"If we could make drivers aware that if they don't leave the scene of the accident and weren't at fault, nothing bad will happen to them, that will be something positive" to take from this, Moreno says. "If they leave the scene, something minor turns into something major and they can face a felony conviction."

Miami-Dade is one of the deadliest places in the state for cyclists. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety, 12 bikers were killed and 454 injured last year in the county, up from seven deaths in 2008. Miami-Dade motorists also killed 65 pedestrians last year.

Police have not yet released the name of the cyclist involved in this morning's accident. Check back for updates.

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I just moved to Atlanta from Miami. its not just Miami guys its every were but at least Florida has a 3 foot law. if you drive a MOTOR VEHICLE you should know the laws jack asses it is your responsibility. Oh and for common sense guy you sir are a douch bag, and just to bring you up to speed cyclists have the same rights as motorists no matter the road way plus there is the 3 foot rule... P.S,Mike I hope you get well soon.. Brooklyn
mash me too!
I love him hope he gets well soon is he single? Michael Lum Mash me ASAP!!!!
Am in love with this guy and i don't want him to suffer the police and that ass hole that stuck him have to properly respond and accept the damage caused he is an awesome person and those lazy bastards don' understand that he was fighting to advance ..if not why would he be up so early..?
fuck all of u! pull thru lum! we love you
"Miami Police Det. William Moreno says blame has yet to be determined in the collision, but the accident was "possibly not the fault of the driver." <p> <font color=blue><font size=3>I was hit once. She didn't run - probably because my head destroyed the driver side windshield. The cops GAVE ME A TICKET because of what she said, while I was standing in a daze with blood leaking out of my head. A witness came forward and informed them that she crossed a double-yellow line to hit me. On the witness account, her insurance co. paid me $2.5K for my bruises and bike but the ticket still went to court. I don't trust cops to assess who is at fault in a bike car collision. </font>
u guys need to stop riding bike on busy roads like south dixie highway -- no matter what it's an accident waiting to happen. go swim with sharks or something... as for the biker - i hope he survives and gets back to his loved ones quickly
It is a shame that the majority of motorists are just not educated in the laws of sharing the road with cyclists. Therfore they're just not prepared when they happen to come across a cyclist in their lane. It's a shame. All the best to the down rider.
Yanel, I believe his name is Michael. I saw the accident about 4 minutes after it happened.
It would be good to know the truth about the accident before the police assumes the cyclist had to be at fault. Bikes have all the same rights as motorist and the guy hit, was an avid cyclist.
Yaniel, if you know who it is you'll find out. His name is in the relevant places. I'm disappointed in this article. There's a young guy, an active member of the cycling community, laying unconscious in a hospital because of this situation. He's a very skilled rider, and it's highly unlikely he was acting careless. The complete disregard of the impact of this on him and his family, as well as the community who knows him and instead focusing on the cop talking about how "something minor turns into something major " is disappointing. While the driver may not be at fault, whose word do they have to take?
It's about god damn time the Florida department of transportation starts educating its patrons about safety and the laws when it comes to sharing the roads with cyclists...
Jaren, from the time of the incident and the description of the bike i've read I'm afraid I might know who it is. Obviously I don't want to put personal info on here but can you at least provide me with his first initial so I can confirm my thoughts? Hopefully it's not him, and who ever it is pulls through alright.
With stats like that, why aren't we mentioning the lack of proper education for motorists regarding sharing the road with cyclists? Why aren't we mentioning the complete disregard for the safety of cyclists exhibited by motorists on a daily basis? I commute about 20 miles daily via bicycle and have yet (thankfully) to run into any serious altercations. That doesn't in anyway mean that I don't have to take evasive maneuvers, lest I get hit/run off the road by inattentive and aggressive drivers, at least a dozen times during the day. I know this cyclist and he is very experienced, very knowledgeable, and I refuse to believe that he was in the wrong in this unfortunate event. When he comes to, we'll get the story on this one.