RCMP blames Kamloops cyclist’s speed after collision from water truck
Andrew van der Westhuizen has been in the ICU for a month
Kamloops RCMP’s traffic spokesperson said that a cyclist’s speed was why a water truck driver hit him in May, according to Kamloops This Week. After the collision from the motorist, Dr. Andrew van der Westhuizen had to go to the ICU in Vancouver where he is still recovering from injuries.
Van der Westhuizen was cycling on a multi-use path when a truck, going the same direction, turned right across the path to enter a dump site. The truck entered through a gap in the concrete barrier which separated the bike path from the road.
“Unfortunately, it was just imperfect timing where the truck obviously didn’t see him and Andrew didn’t stop in time, and then they collided,” Jen van der Westhuizen, his wife said.
Following an investigation, the RCMP said that the collision occurred as a result of the cyclist going too fast. The truck hit van der Westhuizen as a result of “the speed of the cyclist appears to be the primary contributor to the collision.”
They also concluded that the truck driver was not at fault for the collision, the driver had the truck flashers on and was driving under the 50 km/h speed limit. The RCMP also said that there are many signs warning cyclists about crossing trucks. The speed limit on the path is 20 km/h.
“That being said, our thoughts go out to all of those involved in this unfortunate situation,” Kamloops RCMP Cpl. Crystal Evelyn said.
Kamloops Cycling Coalition co-founder Cheryl Fraser said that it is unreasonable to blame the cyclist, a vulnerable road user, for being hit by a large truck.
“I don’t think it’s fair to end the conversation at ‘the cyclist was speeding’ and that’s the only takeaway here,” Fraser said to Kamloops This Week. She also underscored that the cyclist had the right-of-way.
