UPDATE: DRIVER CITED IN CONNECTION WITH SEPTEMBER 19 FATAL BICYCLE-INVOLVED TRAFFIC CRASH - HIGHWAY 131 BETWEEN NETARTS & TILLAMOOK
News Release from Oregon State Police
Posted on FlashAlert: September 26th, 2014 12:25 PM
An Oregon State Police (OSP) investigation into a September 15, 2014, fatal crash involving a bicyclist and pickup on Highway 131 between Netarts and Tillamook led to the offending driver being cited for non-criminal offenses.
On September 25, 2014, OSP cited FRANK B. BOHANNON, age 74, from Oceanside for Careless Driving (Contributed to the Serious Injury or Death of a Vulnerable User of a Public Way) and violation Driving While Suspended. He was issued a date to appear in Tillamook County Circuit Court. OSP conferred with the Tillamook County District Attorney's Office prior to taking enforcement action. No criminal charges are pending.
On September 19, 2014 at approximately 5:15 p.m., a bicycle ridden by KERRY LEE KUNSMAN, age 67, from San Diego, California, was westbound on Highway 131 near milepost 5 when it was struck from behind by a 2011 Ford F350 pickup driven by BOHANNON. Both bicycle and rider came to rest in the traffic lane.
KUNSMAN was seriously injured and initially transported by ground ambulance to Tillamook Regional Medical Center. KUNSMAN was then taken by air ambulance to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center in Portland where he died September 22. He was wearing a protective helmet.
BOHANNON was not injured.
OSP troopers from the Tillamook work site are completing the investigation. Previously released details and links to a photograph are on our website at:
http://www.oregon.gov/osp/NEWSRL/Pages/news/09_22_2014_delayedfatal_bike_hwy131_mp5.aspx
Careless Driving when contributing to a traffic crash is a Class A traffic violation. According to ORS 811.135, if the court determines that the commission of the offense contributed to the serious injury or death of a vulnerable user of a public way, the court shall impose enhanced penalties. More information about those enhanced penalties at http://www.stc-law.com/pdf/Oregon%20Vulnerable%20User%20Law.pdf
OSP & ODOT urge all drivers to be watchful for vulnerable highway users such as bicyclists and pedestrians on all roads. Useful safety tips and information is available on ODOT's Bicycle Safety website at http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/TS/Pages/bicyclistsafety.aspx
### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###
On September 25, 2014, OSP cited FRANK B. BOHANNON, age 74, from Oceanside for Careless Driving (Contributed to the Serious Injury or Death of a Vulnerable User of a Public Way) and violation Driving While Suspended. He was issued a date to appear in Tillamook County Circuit Court. OSP conferred with the Tillamook County District Attorney's Office prior to taking enforcement action. No criminal charges are pending.
On September 19, 2014 at approximately 5:15 p.m., a bicycle ridden by KERRY LEE KUNSMAN, age 67, from San Diego, California, was westbound on Highway 131 near milepost 5 when it was struck from behind by a 2011 Ford F350 pickup driven by BOHANNON. Both bicycle and rider came to rest in the traffic lane.
KUNSMAN was seriously injured and initially transported by ground ambulance to Tillamook Regional Medical Center. KUNSMAN was then taken by air ambulance to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center in Portland where he died September 22. He was wearing a protective helmet.
BOHANNON was not injured.
OSP troopers from the Tillamook work site are completing the investigation. Previously released details and links to a photograph are on our website at:
http://www.oregon.gov/osp/NEWSRL/Pages/news/09_22_2014_delayedfatal_bike_hwy131_mp5.aspx
Careless Driving when contributing to a traffic crash is a Class A traffic violation. According to ORS 811.135, if the court determines that the commission of the offense contributed to the serious injury or death of a vulnerable user of a public way, the court shall impose enhanced penalties. More information about those enhanced penalties at http://www.stc-law.com/pdf/Oregon%20Vulnerable%20User%20Law.pdf
OSP & ODOT urge all drivers to be watchful for vulnerable highway users such as bicyclists and pedestrians on all roads. Useful safety tips and information is available on ODOT's Bicycle Safety website at http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/TS/Pages/bicyclistsafety.aspx
### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###
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