Crime & Safety
CHP: Cyclist Had Right of Way in Fatal Upvalley Crash
Napa CHP Officer Garrett Ray said Richard Becker was riding downhill and had the right of way. There are no stop signs or signals at the intersection, and the driver should have waited before turning left, Ray said. By Bay City News Service.
A St. Helena cyclist had the right of way in the vehicle collision that fatally injured him Saturday morning, a California Highway Patrol officer said.
Richard Becker, 54, died at St. Helena Hospital after his bicycle collided with a car at about 9:30 a.m. at the intersection of Sanitarium and Deer Park roads, CHP Officer Steve Aguilar said.
Kimberly Klingman, 39, of Napa, was driving a 2010 BMW east on Deer Park Road and entered the eastbound left-turn lane intending to go north on Sanitarium Road, Aguilar said.
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Becker was riding his Concorde Gavina bicycle west on Deer Park Road near the Sanitarium Road intersection, Aguilar said.
As Becker entered the intersection, Klingman turned left directly into the path of the bicycle, which struck the right side of the BMW, Aguilar said.
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Becker was ejected from the bike and was taken to the hospital, where he died.
Klingman was not injured and was released at the scene, Aguilar said.
CHP Officer Garrett Ray said Becker was riding downhill and had the right of way. There are no stop signs or signals at the intersection, and the driver should have waited before turning left, Ray said.
The collision is still under investigation.
By Bay City News Service.
