Dump Truck Strikes Cyclist, but Claims He Didn't Notice Her

In this sad story, a South Bayside Waste Management Authority dump truck struck a cyclist, causing her death almost immediately. The collision took place on October 14th, down in Redwood City. At the intersection of Holly Street and Shoreway Drive, at about 8:00 a.m., the cyclist was apparently hit by the dump truck while it attempted to make a turn. The cyclist was pronounced dead at the scene.

After the collision, an hour passed before witnesses saw a dump truck matching the description of the one involved in the accident, and alerted the authorities. Apparently, the operator of the truck claimed to never have noticed the unfortunate cyclist.

In two matters I can think of off-hand that our firm has recently handled, this has been a somewhat common - though questionable - situation: operators of large vehicles striking a bicyclist, then claiming not to have noticed the cyclist. In both of those cases, the defendant drivers' stories broke down under cross examination. Perhaps the same will happen here.

The lesson I take from it is simple. When driving such a large vehicle, the operator has to know that he is driving a particularly dangerous machine. It takes more effort and attention to drive it safely than a car - meaning he should be on the look out for vulnerable people on the road around him, such as cyclists.