2019-04-11-LBAC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Discovery day: Peggy said that the committees will have a table at Discovery Day; over 80 free kids' helmets have been donated by Breakstone, White and Gluck LLC, and T shirts will be sold, too. The Friends' meeting was adjourned at 7:15 pm. The Lexington Bicycle Advisory Committee was called to order. Bikeway Crash on Sunday March 24: Meeting participants introduced themselves; Capt McLean was asked to talk about the bikeway crash that resulted in a fatality. Capt. McLean said that no formal report will be released until the investigation is finished. He said that two adult men were traveling in different directions on path; both bicyclists were on their own side of the trail, but very close to the center. Their handlebars clipped, and both went over the handlebars. Both had serious injuries, with Mr. Coovert dying at the hospital. Capt McLean said that nothing in the investigation showed any reckless/ negligent/criminal behavior. Many witnesses were interviewed. The state police reconstruction team was called, as well as CPAC (the DA's office). Both declined jurisdiction. Out of respect for the victim's family, Capt McLean said he would not share injury details. Omar asked if there was evidence that passing was involved? Capt McLean replied that there was no indication from witnesses that this was the case. No 911 calls to indicate dangerous behavior; neither bicyclist appeared to be doing a training ride or racing. He noted that the day was very nice, one of the first ones of the year, so the trail was busy. The crash happened at around 2 pm. Jack Johnson said he passed by 10 minutes before the crash. He said it was relatively quiet at that time, with no particular congestion or problems with that area. Capt McLean said that there was no indication that the Seasons' 4 intersection was involved. Capt McLean said that the other cyclist is now home from the hospital. He said that the other cyclist used the path because of his past involvement in motor vehicle crashes. He added that he believes both cyclists were riding by themselves. Mr. Coovert's wife, Robin Lord, said that Cary used the path to commute to his job in Burlington. That day, he was just trying to get back in shape after the winter. Capt McLean said that that day was the other man's first day on the path for the year, as well.