Our cycling community suffered a huge loss on Thursday morning. On what should have been a fun day with friends enjoying a 135-mile ride, tragedy occurred when a driver in a box truck hit a group of cyclists as they rode south on Highway US 95 south of Las Vegas, Nevada. Five cyclists were killed and 4 were injured, with one cyclist remaining in critical condition after being airlifted to a nearby hospital.
As the winds picked up, the group of nearly 20 riders split into two groups. A sag vehicle that was following the group provided support and shelter from the wind as the slower riders rode behind the car when they were struck by a driver driving the box truck
According to the New York Times, The Highway Patrol said investigators did not know why the truck had plowed into the group but said the driver had left the roadway, hit the group from behind and then struck a Subaru hatchback that was accompanying the cyclists and another group of cyclists that was in front of the Subaru.
Trooper Travis Smaka, a Highway Patrol spokesman, said the driver had stayed at the scene of the crash and was cooperating with the investigation.
Investigators do not believe that the driver was impaired by alcohol or drugs, and no charges have been filed as the investigation continues, he said.
The victims were identified as Erin Ray, Michael Murray, Gerrard Nieva, Aksoy Ahmet, and Tom Trauger.
Our heart goes out to the Las Vegas cycling community. Our prayers are with the cyclists and their friends and families during this difficult time.
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