Alaska News

Cyclist hit by car had no helmet

A bicyclist killed Tuesday evening was not wearing a helmet and witnesses provided conflicting reports about whether he was talking on a cell phone when he and a vehicle collided, said Anchorage police spokesman Lt. Dave Parker. Jason Hustead, 44, of Anchorage died after his bicycle was struck broadside at Tudor and Elmore roads a few minutes after 5 p.m., Anchorage police said.

An investigation concluded that Hustead rode his bike northbound across Tudor, using the pedestrian zone. Eastbound traffic had stopped at a red light, but westbound traffic continued through a green light as vehicles prepared to turn south on Elmore, police said.

Despite having a green arrow to turn onto Elmore, the drivers in the two turning lanes didn't move because they had "a clear view of Hustead crossing against the pedestrian crossing signal," police said.

The driver who struck him was traveling west on Tudor on a green light. The driver's view of Hustead may have been obstructed by the vehicles waiting to turn south on Elmore in the turn lanes, Parker said.

The vehicle that hit Hustead was going about 45 mph, police said.

The police investigation concluded that Hustead had disobeyed a traffic device and the driver was not cited for any violations.

A public data base of court records indicates Hustead had multiple convictions for driving offenses, including disobeying speed limits and driving without a license.

Anchorage Daily News / adn.com

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