A 24-year-old Seattle cyclist was listed in fair condition at Legacy Emanuel Hospital & Health Center in Portland Sunday night after he was struck by an SUV on Route 30 on the second leg of his Seattle-to-Portland bike ride.
Witnesses told police that the SUV veered out of its lane, struck Gerald (Gerry) Marvin from behind about 9:20 a.m., stopped briefly, then drove away. The force of the collision caused Marvin to knock over two other cyclists, who were taken to the hospital for observation. (The two were later identified as Michael J. Ball, 47, of Gresham, and Mark W. Tribble, 33, of Seattle.)
A St. Helens police officer stopped Daniel B. Whittlinger, 40, of Portland about 8 miles away, the AP reported. State police said he was charged with suspicion of felony hit-and-run, driving under the influence and violating his parole. The P-I reports Whittlinger was convicted of an Oregon murder in 1989.
It was the worst wreck on the ride in the past 10 years, said Chuch Ayers, the exec of Cascade Bicycle Club, which sponsors the event. Two previous accidents involving cars were the fault of the cyclists, he told OregonLive.
Witnesses sought
Here's your chance to help make the roads safer. The Oregon state police are would like to talk any witnesses to help build a case with the Columbia County District Attorney's Office. They want to talk to anyone who saw the accident or saw the 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee before or after the accident. Anyone with information is asked to call 800-452-7888.
Read more about Gerry Marvin at bikepirates. Apparently he is or was a member of Point83.
More STP: “2007 Seattle to Portland bike ride webcast” and “2007 Seattle to Portland – STP – bike ride is on the road.”
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