Truck hits ASU cycling president
by Anna Oakes
The president of the Appalachian State University Cycling Team was hospitalized after being struck by a truck while riding Tuesday. It was the latest in a string of cycling accidents to occur in the High Country during the past year.
Zeb Vance King, 20, was traveling by bicycle on Poplar Grove Road toward campus at 2:30 p.m. when a pickup truck operated by Charles William Farthing, 56, turned into the rear entrance of Appalachian Heights apartments from the opposite lane, according to a University Police crash report.
Farthing turned into King's path, and King struck the truck and was ejected, the report said. King was transported by Watauga Medics to Watauga Medical Center and then flown to Johnson City Medical Center in Tennessee.
“He had a bad concussion, but I think he's going to make a full recovery,” said Clayton Omer, mountain vice president of the cycling team. Omer visited King at the hospital Tuesday and said he expected him to be released Wednesday or Thursday.
Farthing was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.
Omer said King and other riders were traveling downhill to meet other cycling team members for a ride on campus. The collegiate road racing season begins in mid-February.
“In the winter you try to get a lot of miles in. The bulk of your training for the season is going on right now,” he said. Cyclists have also been taking advantage of the unusual mild weather, he added.
The crash follows a hit-and-run incident involving a Lees-McRae College cyclist on Jan. 20, which occurred on Hickory Nut Gap Road in Banner Elk. Cyclist Mike Rozelle was hit when a silver Subaru Legacy swerved across the center line into a group of cyclists, according to Lees-McRae assistant cycling coach Peter Haile.
“He was hit pretty bad, but more like a side swipe,” Haile said. “He's OK, just bruised and scared.”
And the High Country cycling community has seen a number of fatal accidents in the past year—most recently in December, when Lees-McRae freshman cyclist Megan Baab was killed while training on U.S. 221. An ASU student driving a pickup truck allegedly crossed the center line, colliding with Baab, and was charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle in the incident.
In July, Winston-Salem doctor Erik Lie-Nielsen, 35, died after reportedly losing control of his bicycle and crashing into an oncoming vehicle during the Grizzly Bike Ride, a Grandfather Mountain Highland Games event.
The Lees-McRae Cycling Team suffered yet another tragedy in January 2011, when senior rider Carla Swart died after she was struck by a truck while training in her native South Africa.
“It's scary,” Omer said. “It's certainly becoming quite an issue.” Omer attributed cycling risks not to the High Country's topography or curvy roads, but instead to “more and more traffic coming into this area.”
To promote mutual respect in the community for all users of roads, walkways and trails, Boone Area Cyclists, a local club, invite people to take the High Country Safe Streets Pledge. Those signing the pledge vow to follow the “Golden Rule”— pedestrians first, bicyclists second and motorists third. Cyclists pledge to wear a helmet for every ride, and motorists pledge to be patient and respectful while passing cyclists, giving them at least three feet of space.
To sign the pledge, visit http://www.booneareacyclists.com -streets-pledge.
Zeb Vance King, 20, was traveling by bicycle on Poplar Grove Road toward campus at 2:30 p.m. when a pickup truck operated by Charles William Farthing, 56, turned into the rear entrance of Appalachian Heights apartments from the opposite lane, according to a University Police crash report.
Farthing turned into King's path, and King struck the truck and was ejected, the report said. King was transported by Watauga Medics to Watauga Medical Center and then flown to Johnson City Medical Center in Tennessee.
“He had a bad concussion, but I think he's going to make a full recovery,” said Clayton Omer, mountain vice president of the cycling team. Omer visited King at the hospital Tuesday and said he expected him to be released Wednesday or Thursday.
Farthing was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.
Omer said King and other riders were traveling downhill to meet other cycling team members for a ride on campus. The collegiate road racing season begins in mid-February.
“In the winter you try to get a lot of miles in. The bulk of your training for the season is going on right now,” he said. Cyclists have also been taking advantage of the unusual mild weather, he added.
The crash follows a hit-and-run incident involving a Lees-McRae College cyclist on Jan. 20, which occurred on Hickory Nut Gap Road in Banner Elk. Cyclist Mike Rozelle was hit when a silver Subaru Legacy swerved across the center line into a group of cyclists, according to Lees-McRae assistant cycling coach Peter Haile.
“He was hit pretty bad, but more like a side swipe,” Haile said. “He's OK, just bruised and scared.”
And the High Country cycling community has seen a number of fatal accidents in the past year—most recently in December, when Lees-McRae freshman cyclist Megan Baab was killed while training on U.S. 221. An ASU student driving a pickup truck allegedly crossed the center line, colliding with Baab, and was charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle in the incident.
In July, Winston-Salem doctor Erik Lie-Nielsen, 35, died after reportedly losing control of his bicycle and crashing into an oncoming vehicle during the Grizzly Bike Ride, a Grandfather Mountain Highland Games event.
The Lees-McRae Cycling Team suffered yet another tragedy in January 2011, when senior rider Carla Swart died after she was struck by a truck while training in her native South Africa.
“It's scary,” Omer said. “It's certainly becoming quite an issue.” Omer attributed cycling risks not to the High Country's topography or curvy roads, but instead to “more and more traffic coming into this area.”
To promote mutual respect in the community for all users of roads, walkways and trails, Boone Area Cyclists, a local club, invite people to take the High Country Safe Streets Pledge. Those signing the pledge vow to follow the “Golden Rule”— pedestrians first, bicyclists second and motorists third. Cyclists pledge to wear a helmet for every ride, and motorists pledge to be patient and respectful while passing cyclists, giving them at least three feet of space.
To sign the pledge, visit http://www.booneareacyclists.com -streets-pledge.