48 year old Gregory Hayes was riding his bike westward across State Street and 3900 South in the south crosswalk when a Ford F-250 Truck hit him, flinging him up and over the truck. Witnesses at the scene of the accident state that the Ford ran a red light. After hitting Mr. Hayes, the Ford continued into the intersection until it collided with a Mitsubishi Diamante, reports the Salt Lake Tribune. Hayes was carried to the hospital where he died at 5:30 pm on Monday April 20th.
The driver of the Mitsubishi was not injured from the accident and officers are investigating whether alcohol or drugs were a factor in the crash.
We offer our deepest sympathy to the Hayes family as they cope with this tragic death. I bicycle myself and know how dangerous it can be when drivers are not aware of a surrounding bicyclist.
From a legal standpoint, both parties (the Hayes and the driver of the Mitsubishi) have a claim against the insurance of the man driving the Ford.
Ron Kramer is a personal injury and car accident attorney practicing in Utah, Salt Lake and Davis and Weber Counties.