Michael Lynn Kingham Killed in Morris Co., TX, Bicycle Accident
Morris County, TX -- February 19, 2017, Michael Lynn Kingham was killed following an accident where he was hit by a vehicle while riding a bicycle.
According to preliminary reports made by the Texas Department of Public Safety, the incident occurred around 2:00 p.m. near the intersection of FM 729 and CR 2317.
Investigators reported that 66-year-old Kingham was traveling northbound along the shoulder of FM 729. As he did so, he was somehow struck by a vehicle being driven by 67-year-old Billy Harmon. This knocked Kingham to the ground where he was critically injured.
Responding EMS officials pronounced Kingham dead at the scene. No other injuries were reported.
At this time, no charges or citations have been reported. The exact cause of the accident is still under investigation.
Map of the Area
Commentary
Drivers have a responsibility to remain attentive to the road at all times. Bicycles may be smaller and slower than a typical passenger vehicle, but they need to be treated just like any other car on the road. That being said, cyclists also must ensure they are adhering to the rules of the road and using proper reflective and lighting equipment.
Considering this accident happened on a pretty open roadway in daylight hours, it's not exactly clear how the driver wouldn't have seen the cyclist on the shoulder. Was he passing too closely to the cyclist? Did the vehicle drift onto the shoulder? Did the cyclist stay in the shoulder, or were they in the traffic lane?
Right now, there just aren't enough details to determine what happened. There needs to be a closer investigation so that if the driver involved was driving negligently, then those actions can be properly addressed and reprimanded.
--Grossman Law Offices
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