Driver Strikes and Kills Cyclist in Tragic Accident in Mooresville, North Carolina

MOORESVILLE, NC- Wcnc.com writes that a cyclist died after being struck by a car over the weekend in Mooresville. Police identified the victim as a 64-year-old man. The incident occurred on Mecklenburg Highway in the afternoon.*

Witnesses stated that both the cyclist and the car were traveling in the same direction at the time of the crash. 

The authorities shut down the highway close to Bridges Farm Road while conducting the investigation. 

At this time, it is unclear whether the driver will be facing charges.

North Carolina is committed to reducing roadway deaths throughout its borders. Via its own Vision Zero initiative, the state hopes to make its streets a safe place for vulnerable road users such as cyclists. Biking is becoming more popular as both a recreational activity as well as a form of commuting. 

In 2016, fifteen cyclists died in the state and 960 people on bikes are struck by cars each year. The state strongly urges cyclists to wear helmets. While anyone under sixteen is required by state law to use a helmet, the law allows older riders to make a choice for themselves. Wearing a bike helmet can lower a person’s risk of head injuries by about 85 percent and reduces the chances of sustaining a traumatic brain injury by 88 percent. 

Cyclists have a right to the road, and drivers are obligated to accommodate bikes. In order to increase cyclist safety, the law states that anyone cycling after dark must have a white light on the front of their bike and a red light on the back. Both of these lights must be visible from a minimum distance of 300 feet. 

Accident News is a safety and education initiative from Montlick & Associates, designed to help people better understand and thereby avoid common accident causes.  To learn more about our injury prevention programs, including iridesafe.com -click here. We hope you are never in an accident, but if you or family member are injured, call Montlick & Associates 24/7 for your free consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333) or use our live chat at Montlick.com.

Sources:https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/fatal-accident-mooresville/275-2f4c251a-858e-457b-b89e-3d6bda3b4bc0 and https://ncvisionzero.org/safety-focus-areas/bicycle/