WATCH: The cyclist was on her bike, riding south bound near Victoria’s Chinatown when she was struck. Monica Martinez has more on this tragic event.
The Tuesday morning commute into downtown Victoria ended in tragedy, taking the life of a cyclist.
A 73-year-old Victoria woman was cycling south bound on Government Street at around 8:30 a.m. when a transport truck turning right on to Fisgard Street struck her.
“Unfortunately the cyclist has succumbed to her injuries so we are treating it as such and analysts have been called out to investigate,” said Victoria Police Cst. Matt Rutherford.
The truck company belongs to Max’s Mushrooms, a wholesale produce distributor based in Port Alberni.
The driver who has 10 years experience with the company was about to drop off items in Chinatown.
“How this tragedy happened, we don’t know, he doesn’t know himself either,” said Max Seelenmayer, owner of Max’s Mushrooms.
The owner said the truck driver never saw the cyclist.
“He was on a red light apparently turning right on to Fisgard Street and that is when it happened, and he doesn’t have any answers either as to where the bicycle came from,” he said.
He said the driver is extremely upset and is in shock.
“He was in tears first thing this morning. He is devastated, it’s an enormous tragedy and Chris being the guy that he is is having a tough time.”
He says this is the company’s first major accident in over 13 years of trucking.
Cyclists in the area said even though cycling is a lot safer than it used to be, it can still be scary.
“For sure there is a huge fear factor and I think that it’s a factor for many people who could be cyclists and are not because it’s dangerous,” said cyclist advocate Cordelia Horsburgh.
“Yes it’s a little scary but things are a lot better with the bike lines, but you have to really watch a lot and keep your eyes open, but it is still a great way to get around,” said cyclist Adrian Gibbons.
Crash scene investigators closed the intersection for most of the day.
Police are asking for witnesses to contact them.
“Our hearts and prayers go out to the family,” said Seelenmayer.
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