Roundabout Accident Report By: Ray Gagnon On 8/2/17 (Wednesday) Holly and I came upon the scene of a bike accident. It DID NOT involve a club ride and the accident victim is NOT a SLBC member; but, she is a Triathlon club member. The accident occurred at the Hillsboro, Morse Blvd. roundabout. As I understand it, the victim was proceeding off Hillsboro and heading south on Morse. The other vehicle was a flatbed Semi-tractor trailer coming off Moyer Loop and proceeding South on Morse. As the truck passed the rider, he moved into the right lane and the back of the trailer took out the rider. When Holly and I arrived on the scene, we saw the downed rider and another truck stopped at the exit of the round-about alongside her. As it turned out, the truck driver stopped alongside her had witnessed the accident and stopped to offer assistance. The semi driver who hit the rider didn’t realize anything happened and did not stop. Another driver who had witnessed the accident chased the semi-truck down and let him know he had just hit someone. The semi-truck driver returned to the scene. Paramedics were called but the victim refused treatment at the scene. She appeared to have minor cuts and scrapes. She did have some problem initially standing up; but once she was up, she seemed to be walking okay. I expect she will be very, very sore tomorrow. Holly was able to collect personal information on the victim’s behalf, from both of the vehicle operators that witnessed the accident. Holly was also able to get the information from the semi driver for the victim. At some point, Kay Carver also arrived on the scene as she happened to be riding by. Kay and victim knew each other. It was good having Kay there. I think a familiar face helped the victim feel a bit better.

The Sumter Sheriff’s personnel did eventually arrive on the scene. They did the usual scene assessment, collection of information, confirmed the victims desire to refuse medical treatment, etc. We did forward witness contact information to the sheriff. I think we are all amazed the injuries were not more serious. The bike was absolutely totaled. Both sides of the front fork totally snapped clean at the top, every spoke in the front wheel was broken, rear wheel severely creased, spokes broken, and chain rings bent around the lower portion of the frame. It was an absolute mess. I think the water bottles may have been salvageable. Ray Gagnon Comments by Kay Caver: I spoke with the semi-truck driver. He never saw her! She was even riding in front of him at first. She was in the outside lane and he on the inside lane... so just because we can see them doesn't mean they see us.... The semi-truck driver seemed genuinely remorseful and the owner of the truck company is meeting the cyclist today (8/3) to buy her a new bike. It is amazing she walked away from the accident when you see her bike. Comment by Webmaster: I have been cycling in The Villages for 10 years and I do not remember ever encountering a semi-truck in a roundabout. However, after reading the above, I will how assume that in a roundabout a semi-truck driver does not see me. The same is true of any vehicle towing a large trailer.