Officers in crash with bicyclist on U.S. Highway 192

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Officers in crash with bicyclist on U.S. Highway 192

County News

Thursday, 18 November 2010 08:14

By Fallan Patterson
Staff Writer
The St. Cloud Police Department is investigating an accident involving an Osceola County Sheriff's Office deputy and a bicyclist that occurred about 5 a.m. Nov. 6 on U.S. Highway 192 and Pine Lane.
According to Deputy Timothy Black, who was driving his patrol car that morning, he and Deputy Michael O'Dell stopped bicyclist Kelton D. Harris for not having a visible light or reflector attached to his bicycle. After noticing Harris turn on a light he held in his hand and a red light affixed to Harris' backpack, Black advised Harris, 52, to be careful riding his bicycle in the dark.
Harris then headed west on U.S. Highway 192. When Black and O'Dell left in the same direction, Black struck Harris' rear bicycle tire with the right corner of his front bumper while traveling between 30 and 35 mph. Harris was thrown into the air and landed in the grass on the north side of the highway.
According to a report written for the Sheriff's Office, Black wrote that he could not avoid Harris and had looked away from the right side of the road, where Harris was traveling, “momentarily.” Black also wrote that Harris had crossed the white solid line on the edge of the road in front of the patrol car. There is not a bike lane on this section of highway.
Harris, who lives in the 1900 block of Bradley Drive in St. Cloud, was transported to St. Cloud Hospital complaining of neck pain, where it was determined he had severe injuries. He was then airlifted to Orlando Regional Medical Center, where he remained as of Monday. His condition was not released.
Sgt. Dhalyn Lakey, of the SCPD, said the investigation is ongoing.
According to Twis Lizasuain, spokeswoman for the Sheriff's Office, Black is not on administrative leave. The incident report will be sent to the accident review board, which will determine whether the offense is chargeable. Black's supervisor will then apply disciplinary action, if necessary.
According to Florida law, bicyclists riding between dusk and dawn must have a white light affixed to the front of the bicycle and be visible for at least 500 feet and a red light attached to the back of the bicycle visible for 600 feet.