Woman on bicycle struck and killed by vehicle in Merced, police say

A bicyclist is dead after an accident involving a vehicle in Merced, according to authorities.

At about 10 p.m. Friday, officers responded to the area of West Childs Avenue between G Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Way for a report of a bicyclist who had been struck by a vehicle, according to Merced Police Sgt. Nathan McKinnon. Officers arrived on the scene and located the cyclist lying in the roadway and a Dodge sedan with a large hole in the windshield.

According to police, life saving measures were attempted but the woman was ultimately pronounced dead at the scene. Police said it appears a 42-year-old Merced woman was driving west on West Childs Avenue, when the bicyclist moved directly in front of the vehicle. McKinnon said the 49-year-old bicyclist was wearing dark clothing at the time of the accident and the bicycle did not have a light.

Police said it is unknown what direction the bicyclist was traveling at the time of the accident.

The driver of the vehicle remained on scene and cooperated with authorities. According to McKinnon, it appears alcohol may have been a contributing factor in the accident but to what extent is unknown at this time. Authorities said the accident remains under investigation .

Anyone with information regarding the collision is asked to contact Office Craig McKeeman at 209-388-7752.

This story was originally published January 16, 2024 at 3:08 PM.