Petaluma cyclist hospitalized after collision

A 74-year-old Petaluma cyclist was hospitalized after he was struck by a passing vehicle in east Petaluma Wednesday morning, police said.|

A 74-year-old Petaluma cyclist was hospitalized after he was struck by a passing vehicle in east Petaluma Wednesday morning, police said.

Just before 9:30 a.m., Petaluma Police Department officers responded to a reported collision between a 2017 Hyundai Elantra and a cyclist on the south side of Old Redwood Highway where the two-lane roadway merges to one lane, just east of Redwood Way, Sgt. Ron Klein said.

Police determined that the driver, 37-year-old Santa Rosa resident Amy Fitzpatrick, had been traveling eastbound at or below the speed limit in a 40 mph zone when Petaluma resident Jeff Kendall, who was biking on the right side of the road, abruptly turned left in front of her oncoming car, Klein said.

The two collided and Kendall was thrown from his bike, sustaining multiple injuries, Klein said. Kendall was transported to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital for treatment of the injuries, which are not believed to be life threatening.

Police said Kendall, who works at a business on the north side of Redwood Highway, was likely attempting to turn toward his office.

A witness told police that Fitzpatrick appeared to be traveling at a safe speed, and it didn’t seem that she could have avoided the collision. Alcohol is not believed to be a factor, Klein said.

(Contact Hannah Beausang at hannah.beausang@arguscourier.com)

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