ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – A woman was struck and killed while riding a bicycle on State Road A1A Sunday morning.
Florida Highway Patrol said Susan Lantz, 62, was riding north in the shoulder near East Magnolia Street just after 9 a.m. when troopers said that for some reason she turned into the road where a Toyota Corolla, driven by a 62-year-old man, clipped the back of her bike.
The FHP says Lantz was thrown from the bike. St. Johns County Fire Rescue took here to Flagler Hospital, where Lantz died.
Heather Neville, a bike safety advocate in St. Johns County, said she in no way blames the driver, but did say this is another tragic example of a big problem.
"From the report, he tried to brake, he tried to move out of the way," Neville said. "He didn't leave. I am so thankful because that has not been the theme recently with the hit-and-run rate. I really urge everyone, when you see a cyclist or a runner, or anyone slower than you, just slow down, assess the situation. Give them some room. Go around them. Pretend they're 10-feet wide."
The driver of the car was not injured but troops said the Corolla sustained $3,000 in damage.
Troopers detoured traffic off A1A for nearly two hours while the accident was investigated.
Florida Highway Patrol officials said they're still investigating.