7:40 p.m added post and link to story about Monday’s crash victim, by Christopher Pratt.Did not edit Jeff’s text
CEDAR RAPIDS — A bicyclist involved in a crash early Monday morning in southeast Cedar Rapids has died.
Phil Abodeely, 60, of Las Vegas, was killed from injuries sustained in the accident, which happened in the 300 block of 30th Street SE around 8 a.m.
Police have released few details about the accident.
Abodeely had been on a lengthy bike ride earlier that morning before the accident happened, said his cousin, Dawayne Eazor. Eazor said Abodeely had returned from that ride and was on a shorter ride to visit a friend when the bicycle crashed.
Richard Varnum, who called 911 after a neighbor knocked on his door Monday morning, said two motorists discovered Abodeely after the crash.
“He had a head injury on his side and scratches,” Varnum said to the Gazette. “He had to have hit something. Maybe the curb.”
Abodeely, a native of Cedar Rapids, was in the middle of a month long visit to the state when the accident occurred, said Eazor.
He had just completed RAGBRAI and was spending time with family and friends in the area before returning to Nevada, said Eazor.
Abodeely moved west about 25 years ago. He was also a sub-deacon in the Eastern Orthodox Church.
Eazor said his cousin had remained a journeyman throughout his life. “He is constantly traveling, constantly on cruise ships. He is always the life of the party,” said Eazor.
CEDAR RAPIDS — A bicyclist involved in a crash early Monday morning in southeast Cedar Rapids has died.
Phil Abodeely, 60, of Las Vegas, was killed from injuries sustained in the accident, which happened in the 300 block of 30th Street SE around 8 a.m.
Police have released few details about the accident.
Abodeely had been on a lengthy bike ride earlier that morning before the accident happened, said his cousin, Dawayne Eazor. Eazor said Abodeely had returned from that ride and was on a shorter ride to visit a friend when the bicycle crashed.
Richard Varnum, who called 911 after a neighbor knocked on his door Monday morning, said two motorists discovered Abodeely after the crash.
“He had a head injury on his side and scratches,” Varnum said to the Gazette. “He had to have hit something. Maybe the curb.”
Abodeely, a native of Cedar Rapids, was in the middle of a month long visit to the state when the accident occurred, said Eazor.
He had just completed RAGBRAI and was spending time with family and friends in the area before returning to Nevada, said Eazor.
Abodeely moved west about 25 years ago. He was also a sub-deacon in the Eastern Orthodox Church.
Eazor said his cousin had remained a journeyman throughout his life. “He is constantly traveling, constantly on cruise ships. He is always the life of the party,” said Eazor.
Updated to include name of Monday’s accident victim, comments from bicycle club member:
CEDAR RAPIDS – A bicyclist hurt in a collision with a pickup last week in Cedar Rapids has died, police said.
Susan M. DeSotel, of Cedar Rapids, died Monday at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. She was 51.
DeSotel was southbound on C Street SW around 6:30 p.m. Thursday when an oncoming pickup turned into her path at Wilson Avenue Drive, police said. DeSotel was thrown off her bike, hitting the pickup and then the pavement.
Sgt. Daniel Jabens said DeSotel suffered head trauma even though she was wearing a helmet.
DeSotel, a member of the Hawkeye Bicycle Association, took the route she was taking Thursday often, and grew to love the hill where the accident happened, friends said.
“She was a very avid biker,” said Bill Phillips, a friend of the family. “If she wasn’t working or sleeping, she was on the bike.”
DeSotel had worked at Quintrex Data Systems in Cedar Rapids for 22 years, most recently as a quality assurance specialist. It was there she met one of her closest friends, Kendra Lown, of Walford.
Lown said DeSotel regularly took an evening bike ride south to Solon or north to Center Point.
“It depended on which way the wind was blowing,” Lown said. “You’ve got to have that tailwind on the way back.”
The driver of the pickup, Robert H. Fleming, 55, of Alburnett, was not injured, police said.
Sgt. Cristy Hamblin said Fleming may be issued a traffic ticket, but would not be charged with a serious crime.
Another bicyclist was seriously hurt Monday morning in Cedar Rapids, authorities said. Phil Abodeely, 60, suffered life-threatening injuries when he crashed on 30th Street SE.
Two motorists discovered Abodeely bleeding after he apparently struck his head on the pavement. Richard Varnum, a neighbor who called 911, said it appeared Abodeely had been lying there for at least 10 minutes.
Attempts to confirm his medical condition Tuesday were unsuccessful.
Experienced bicyclists said the serious accidents are highlighted, but close calls happen regularly. Larry Howe, of Cedar Rapids, said many motorists don’t leave enough room when they pass bicycles. He recommends at least 3 to 5 feet.
“On every long ride, there will be somebody who passes too close,” Howe said. “Not where they meant to buzz you, but where I felt encroached upon.”
Howe said bicyclists and motorists share the responsibility to use the road safely. He has a blinking light on his bike and wears a helmet, bright clothing and a rear-view mirror to stay safe.
“It’s important for drivers of any vehicle to be fully focused on driving their vehicle and to not be distracted,” Howe said.
Initial post:
CEDAR RAPIDS – A bicyclist hurt last week in a collision with a pickup in Cedar Rapids has died, police said.
Susan M. DeSotel, of Cedar Rapids, died Monday at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. She was 51.
DeSotel was southbound on C Street SW around 6:30 p.m. Thursday when an oncoming pickup turned in her path at Wilson Avenue Drive, police said. DeSotel was thrown off her bike, hitting the pickup and then the pavement.
Sgt. Daniel Jabens said DeSotel suffered head trauma even though she was wearing a helmet.
“She was a very avid biker,” said Bill Phillips, a friend of the family. “If she wasn’t working or sleeping, she was on the bike.”
DeSotel, a member of the Hawkeye Bicycle Association, took the route she was taking Thursday often, and grew to love the hill where the accident happened, Phillips said.
DeSotel had worked at Quintrex Data Systems in Cedar Rapids for 22 years, most recently as a quality assurance specialist. It was there she met one of her closest friends, Kendra Lown, of Walford.
Lown said DeSotel regularly took an evening bike ride south to Solon or north to Center Point.
“It depended on which way the wind was blowing,” Lown said. “You’ve got to have that tailwind on the way back.”
The driver of the pickup, Robert H. Fleming, 55, of Alburnett, was not injured, police said.
Sgt. Cristy Hamblin said Fleming may be issued a traffic ticket, but would not be charged with a serious crime.
