Two cyclists died near Napa, California, Tuesday by a lumber truck when its load suddenly shifted of the picturesque roadway.
Authorities say the victims, identified as Christian and Michelle Deaton, were legally riding north on the valley’s winding, two-lane Silverado Trail when they encountered a flatbed truck headed in the opposite direction. Somehow, the lumber it was carrying shifted and fell, hitting the cyclists, Fox 8 reports.
Exactly what caused the load to hit the Deatons when it did is still being investigated, but Christian was declared dead at the scene. Michelle, meanwhile, was taken to a nearby hospital where she later died from her injuries. According to the sheriff’s office, they were visiting the Napa Valley from Portland, Oregon. And to his credit, the truck driver stayed at the scene and reportedly cooperated with authorities who are still investigating what caused the load to shift and hit the cyclists.
read more: https://jalopnik.com/two-cyclists-killed-by-trucks-lumber-load-in-california-1850954500
archive link: https://archive.ph/ZJb0f
There are a few roads in my town, picturesque they may be, that I feel too jnsafe to cycle recreationally on because of the constant hauling of lumber or gravel up and down hills. This is the worst that can happen. I used to play as an aggressive, vehicular cyclist in my teens when I could ride fast enough, but looking back - “recreational” cycling had me experience an enormous amount of stress.