A bicyclist was hit by a car yesterday evening and subsequently died from his injuries. The accident occurred on Generals Veterans Highway in the area of West Benfield Boulevard. From the police report the bicyclist was struck from behind, transported to Shock-Trauma and later died from his injuries.
From the Anne Arundel County Police Department:
Type of Collision: Single Vehicle/Bicyclist Struck
Location of Incident: Veterans Hwy north & West Benfield Rd.
Date & Time: 10/07/2011 @ 1927 hours
Primary Investigator: Cpl. K. Collier #1286
Police Case Number: 2011738232
Motor Vehicle #1: 2000 Buick LeSabre 4 door
MD tag GMF-765 Exp. 2/12
VIN 1G4HP54K1Y4202806
Driver: Larry Jay Vespermann
4106 Overlook Ct.
Dunkirk, MD 20754
Owner: Same as Driver
Injuries: None
Passenger: None
Bicyclist: Matthew Jeffrey Young w/m 40 yrs old
No Fixed Address
Injuries: Fatal Injuries
Pronounced Dead at University of Maryland Hospital
Synopsis:
On 10/07/2011 at approximately 1927 hours the Anne Arundel County Police and Fire Departments responded to the area of Veterans Hwy north just north of the intersection with West Benfield Rd. for a report of a Bicyclist struck by a car. Upon arrival first responders located an unresponsive pedestrian in the right lane. The bicyclist was later identified as Matthew Jeffrey Young w/m 40 years old, of no fixed address.
There was a gold 2000 Buick LeSabre 4door MD tag GMF-765 parked near Mr. Youngs body that had sustained damage to the passenger side of the front windshield. The owner and operator of the LeSabre was identified as Larry Jay Vespermann w/m 64 years old of 4106 Overlook Ct. Dunkirk MD 20754.
Preliminarily it was determined that Mr. Young was riding his bicycle north on Veterans Hwy just north of the intersection with West Benfield Rd. There is no shoulder at this location and Mr. Young was riding his mountain bike in the right lane of travel. The roadway at this location is very dark with little ambient lighting. Mr. Young was wearing dark non reflective clothing. The bike Mr. Young was riding was equipped with a make shift headlight which was on. The bike also had a red LED flashing light on the back which does not appear to have been turned on leaving only one small reflective lens to make Mr. Young visible. Mr. Vespermann was also driving north on Veterans Hwy. Based on the information gathered at the scene Mr. Vespermann did not see Mr. Young in the lane in front of him and struck him from behind, throwing Mr. Young into the windshield.
Mr. Vespermann was not injured in this crash. Mr. Young was transported by Maryland State Police Helicopter to the Shock Trauma Unit at the University of Maryland Hospital. Mr. Young was pronounced dead soon after arriving at the hospital from injuries received in the crash.
It does not appear at this point in the investigation that alcohol or speed contributed to this crash. It appears that bicyclist visibility and possible driver error were significant factors in this case. The Traffic Safety Section is currently investigating this crash.