Authorities identify bicyclist in fatal Merced County crash involving teen driver
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Authorities identified bicyclist killed in crash.
- Collision occurred Sept. 11 on Bloss Avenue; teen driver struck cyclist at 60 mph.
- CHP said driver was not impaired; cause of visibility failure remains unclear.
The Merced County Sheriff Coroner’s Office has identified a bicyclist killed when after being struck by a vehicle in Merced County earlier this month as Richard Hultman, 60, according to Merced County Sheriff Capt. Aaron Rosenberg.
The California Highway Patrol said officers responded to the collision in the area of Bloss Avenue and Golf Link Road oat 11:20 p.m. Sept. 11.. Authorities said medical personnel responded and Hultman died at the scene.
The CHP said a preliminary investigation showed that Hultman, believed to be a Hilmar resident, was riding his bicycle west, in the westbound lane of Bloss Avenue, east of Golf Link Road. Hultman was said to be riding along a part of the road with low light, with a small red flashing light as well as a small flashlight activated on the front of the bicycle.
While traveling along the road, the bicycle was struck from behind by a 2015 Infiniti Q50, driven by a 16-year-old Stevinson boy who was traveling westbound on Bloss Avenue at a speed of about 60 miles per hour, authorities said.
Hultman was ejected from the bicycle and came to rest on the north shoulder of Bloss Avenue. The CHP said it is unknown why the driver failed to see the cyclist. The 16-year-old driver immediately stopped the vehicle and called 911 to report the collision. The driver remained on scene and cooperated with law enforcement.
The CHP said the driver was not impaired at the time of the crash, which remains under investigation.
Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact investigating officer Steven Demoss at 209-356-6600.