Bicyclist hit by car, critically injured

-- Alex Coolman

A bicyclist was seriously injured in a collision with a motorist

Wednesday morning after he was hit by a car while riding through a

crosswalk.

The victim, who is listed in critical condition at Western Medical Center

in Santa Ana, was hit as he was riding his bicycle through the crosswalk

at the intersection of Buckingham Lane and Westcliff Drive at about 9:30

a.m. in Newport Beach.

His name has not been released pending notification of relatives.

The bicyclist suffered head injuries when he flew into the windshield of

the car. Newport Beach Police Sgt. Al Fischer said he was not wearing a

helmet at the time of the accident.

Sitting at a bus stop as police investigated the accident scene, the

driver, 78-year-old Irvine resident Charles Froessel, said he was unable

to stop in time to avoid the accident.

“It looked like [the intersection] was empty,” Froessel said. “I made a

left turn. There was this man on the bike in front of me. I tried to jam

my foot on the brake, but it was too late.”

Police said there was no indication that Froessel was under the influence

of drugs or alcohol. It was not yet clear Wednesday whether any charges

would be filed.

The accident site, dotted with scattered pieces of bicycle parts, drew

comments of concern from residents passing by.

“This intersection is scary,” said Barbara De Roo, who lives on nearby

Bedford Lane. “Everybody knows you have to look both ways several times.”