ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – An Orlando bicyclist is recovering after getting hit by a truck during the IRONMAN Jacksonville Triathlon on Saturday.
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A large part of the race was in St. Johns County, where athletes biked through areas like Nocatee and Ponte Vedra Beach.
But the race took a frightening turn for Orlando athlete Zack Stinson, the event quickly turned into something he never expected.
“I was going in a parallel on the right lane that was completely coned off, and the cars were allowed to go on the left lane on the side of that. But I guess a truck, I don’t know if they didn’t see me on I don’t know what they were doing, but they just turned immediately in front of me from that left lane into my path,” Stinson said.
Stinson said the crash happened at the corner of Bobcat Lane and Crosswater Parkway just before the 50-mile mark of the course.
“I had to slam on my brakes as fast as I could, but it just wasn’t fast enough and my momentum carried me into the side of the truck,” Stinson said.
Stinson suffered road rash and a deep cut to his forehead that later required stitches.
He said he didn’t wait for first responders because he was determined to finish the triathlon.
“It was probably not a smart decision on my part to not wait around, but I was down for maybe a minute or two, and I was just so determined and focused on continuing. But in my periphery, I could see the truck stop. I could see the guy get out, obviously in disbelief of what happened,” Stinson said.
He said he was worried about his wife and daughter seeing him with his injuries.
“The worst part was knowing that my wife and daughter were up ahead,” he said. “I knew they were on the bike course and they were about to see me so I was kind of preparing for that.”
Despite the crash and his injuries, Stinson finished the race. He said he plans to compete in future IRONMAN races and hopes what happened to him can help spark conversations about improving something like this from happening again.
St. Johns County Commissioner Krista Joseph said that she appreciated the athletes and families who participated, but had major concerns after Saturday’s event.
Joseph went to Facebook and posted this feedback:
“The BCC (Board of County Commissioners) did not vote on this Jacksonville event. I can tell you all right now, after sitting in traffic for 3 hours and watching the close calls of car vs golf cart vs bikers that approval for something National like this needs to come to the BCC. Not only did I just get off the phone with the County Administrator and she was unaware of this event but also conveyed my concerns to the Sheriff.”
News4JAX reached out to the commissioners, but was redirected to the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office and is waiting for a response.
SJCFR said that all its transports from Saturday’s event ranged from shoulder injuries to minor head injuries. Others were from bicycles vs. bicycles or riders hitting other objects. More calls were related to dehydration, general weakness and more.