Vista Murrieta Student Injured in Oct. 3 Bicycle vs. SUV Accident

An accident in which a Vista Murrieta student who was bicycling to school suffered minor injuries Thursday when he was hit by an SUV was a reminder of traffic safety laws, a Murrieta police sergeant said Monday.

The accident happened when, at about 7:05 a.m. Thursday on Whitewood Road, a woman driving a white Lincoln Navigator was attempting to make a left turn from the southernmost campus driveway, according to Murrieta police Sgt. Jim Gruwell.

The bicyclist was traveling on the sidewalk heading northbound on Whitewood toward Clinton Keith Road when he was struck by the driver, the sergeant said.

The bicyclist was taken to an area hospital where he was X-rayed and it was determined that he suffered abrasions to his right ankle, Gruwell said.

As to whom was allegedly fault in the accident, he said investigation showed it was mutual.

Whereas law dictates that the driver should have made sure the driveway was clear before exiting, the bicyclist should have been traveling with traffic on the other side of the road in the bike lane, he said.

It was also determined the student was wearing headphones, which is illegal to do when operating a bicycle or car, Gruwell said.

The accident also resulted in another car being hit when the driver of the SUV attempted to back up after someone behind her tried to alert her to the bicyclist, Gruwell said.

The extent of damages to the bicycle was not immediately known. Gruwell said officers took the bike to the campus where it was locked up until the student could return to retrieve it.