Bicyclist Dies in Collision With DC Guard Truck

In recent weeks, we have discussed bicycle and pedestrian safety within blogs on our firm website.  Unfortunately, the tragedies continue to mount, and the most recent DC bicycle fatality is related to the traffic issues surrounding the DC Nuclear Security Summit, that is now taking place here in the District.  As NBC News has just reported:

A woman was killed Monday night when her bicycle collided with a five-ton truck doing security work for a motorcade for the Nuclear Security Summit in Northwest Washington.  

The accident happened around 6 p.m. at the intersection of 12th Street and New York Avenue, NW.

The vehicle that collided with the woman was a five-ton truck with the D.C. National Guard.

“It was moving forward to block as a procession was coming through,” said Major Gen. Errol Schwartz of the D.C. Guard.

At this time, it is still unclear who is at fault.  Regardless, we again urge all motorists , pedestrians, and cyclists to obey all applicable traffic laws.  Currently, the road situation in DC is, for lack of a better word, a mess.  A significant section of NW is currently completely inaccessible, and it is taking a very, very long time to get around anywhere in downtown DC.

The NBC article also details the current road closures, which continue all day today.  Click here for a complete list, and to view real-time traffic maps.

Now, I can tell you first-hand from living in the District, that traffic has been just miserable to deal with over the past several days!!  Having a tremendously increased security presence at this time is needed, I know.  However, I can ALSO tell you first-hand that this past Saturday, my wife and I were almost plowed into by an unmarked police escort in Georgetown, as we attempted to leave the area.  This was only one four car motorcade.  Imagine what forty plus motorcades for the various heads of state are doing right now as we speak…BE CAREFUL OUT THERE!

Tags: bicycle deaths, bicycle injuries, catastrophic injury, Catastrophic Personal Injury, Nash and Associates, wrongful death