Bicyclist hurt in traffic collision

The driver of the sport utility vehicle that hit the man says the cyclist cut out in front of him.

By CARY DAVIS

© St. Petersburg Times, published March 21, 2000

TRILBY -- A bicyclist was seriously injured Monday afternoon when he was struck by a sport utility vehicle on U.S. 301, Pasco County Fire Rescue said.

The accident occurred at 3:30 p.m. just south of the intersection of U.S. 301 and Old Trilby Road.

Levy Roberts said he was driving his 1994 black Jeep Cherokee Sport south on U.S. 301 when the cyclist suddenly cut across his path.

The cyclist, a 51-year-old man whose name was not available, had been riding south along the west shoulder before veering across the busy highway, Roberts told the Times.

Roberts said he saw nothing to indicate that the cyclist was about to cross in front of him.

"He didn't even look," said Roberts, 50, of San Antonio.

Roberts said he swerved left into the median of the divided highway but could not avoid hitting the cyclist with the right front of the Jeep.

"I tried to keep from hitting him, but it didn't work," said Roberts, who was not injured. "I just pray to God he's going to be all right."

Roberts said the cyclist was moving his toes and hands when paramedics arrived. The cyclist, who was in critical condition, was flown to St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa, fire rescue dispatchers said.

Florida Highway Patrol troopers were investigating the accident late Monday and could not be reached for comment.

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