Van hits bicyclist on Newport Boulevard

Deepa Bharath

COSTA MESA -- A collision with a van left an unidentified bicyclist in

critical condition Monday afternoon, officials said.

The man, who police say is between 30 and 40, was crossing Newport

Boulevard at 16th Street at about 4:10 p.m. when a van traveling

northbound on Newport hit him. Officers said the bicyclist was carrying

no identification.

Shortly after the crash, the red bicycle lay mangled in the middle of

the street. A black backpack and a pair of shoes were strewn by the

median.

Preliminary investigations determined the bicyclist was crossing on a

red light, said Costa Mesa Police Sgt. Kevin Lovelady.

Police interviewed a man who was driving a car that was traveling

behind the van, Lovelady said. He was the only witness to the crash,

police said.

“He told us that he and the van in front of him were proceeding on a

green light,” Lovelady said. “He [the van’s driver] was unable to stop

before striking.”

Lovelady said the van’s driver will probably not face any charges.

The bicyclist suffered severe injuries and was taken to Western

Medical Center in Santa Ana, Lovelady said.

Lovelady added that the intersection of Newport and 16th is always

busy but is comparable with other major intersections along Newport

Boulevard.

“The city has a lot of bicycle traffic,” he said. “But this

intersection is not more heavily traveled than others.”

At least 10 officers were at the scene Monday afternoon. A SigAlert

was issued for two hours, beginning shortly after 4 p.m. Only one

northbound lane was open at the intersection, which backed traffic up to

Industrial Way.