Bicyclist in Clovis dead after fatal accident on his early morning ride on Shaw Avenue. The unidentified driver of a Toyota sedan has been released
Bicyclist in Clovis dead after fatal accident on his early morning ride on Shaw Avenue.
The unidentified driver of a Toyota sedan has been released by police. The driver pulled over on the side of the road after the accident. He has been reported to be cooperating with police. No charges have been made.
The cycling community in Fresno is outraged at the accident and confused by the haphazard law. By law, motorists are required to clear a bicycle by 3-feet prior to passing. The Clovis Police Department, however, have said that this law does not apply to the accident.
The unidentified motorist was not passing cyclist, Patrick TeNyenhuis, on his early morning commute. He simply hit him by going out of his lane and driving into the shoulder.
No field sobriety test took place.
Bystanders after the accident performed CPR as did the emergency rescue team. However, TeNyenhuis was pronounced dead on the scene.
The driver was reported to be “shaking like a leaf” by one bystander on the scene, after the accident.
Police are still investigating the cause of the accident.
Speculations include distractions from text messaging or other phone use. The bicycling community is rallying together to raise awareness for bicyclists on the road.
Support for the TeNyenhuis family has outpoured and the family is still making arrangements for the funeral.