Teen cyclist seriously injured in Hwy 99 crash
BROOKS, Ore. -- A 16-year-old was seriously injured after he was hit by a Jeep while riding his BMX bike alongside Highway 99 Friday morning, police said.
State police officials said that the crash happened nearly a mile north of Brooks on Highway 99.
Troopers said that a 60-year-old woman was driving her Jeep Cherokee north on the highway at about 9:15 a.m. Friday when she crossed the center median into the southbound lane. The driver continued to swerve left onto the gravel shoulder where she hit a 16-year-old riding his bike south.
After hitting the teenager, officials said that the woman continued driving north for a short distance before turning around and returning to the scene.
The teen, later identified as a Woodburn-resident, was taken to Salem Hospital with serious injuries. He was not wearing a helmet when he was hit.
Oregon State Police said that the vehicle's driver is being cooperative as detectives continue the crash investigation. No charges have been issued against the driver yet.
I'm going to pre-emptively comment that the cyclist had nothing to do with this wreck aside from being the victim. The driver crossed 4 lanes and a median to hit the cyclist riding on the shoulder of the road on the opposite side of the road from her original direction of travel. This is all on the driver, who should be criminally charged in this wreck.
I hope this boy recovers. I think it's really sad that this woman not only swerved and hit him but she drove off before calling for help or checking on him.Â