Cyclist Remains in Serious Condition

A bicyclist who was in a Napa crosswalk on Thursday is in serious condition today at .

Hospital spokeswoman Vanessa deGier said 39-year-old Jose Garcia is no longer in critical condition but remains in intensive care.

Police found Garcia unconscious in the left northbound lane of Jefferson Street at H Street around 1:35 p.m. Thursday, Napa police Sgt. Paul Paniagua said.

Garcia had apparently been walking his bicycle in a crosswalk when he was struck by a four-door Mercedes sedan driven by Steven Cirimele, 70, of Benicia, Paniagua said.

Prior to the accident, the Mercedes was driving north on Jefferson Street in the left lane, Paniagua said. Another northbound vehicle that was in the right lane stopped to allow Garcia to cross the street, he said.

Cirimele has not been cited for the collision, Paniagua said.

Garcia suffered head injuries, a fractured hip and lower left leg, and abrasions, and was initially in a coma, Paniagua said.

DeGier said today she could not say whether Garcia remains in a coma because of patient privacy laws.

Witnesses gave police conflicting statements as to whether Garcia was riding his bike or walking it in the crosswalk at the time of the collision, but the leg injury and lack of damage to the Mercedes led police to believe Garcia was walking his bicycle as required, Paniagua said.

Jefferson Street was closed for about two hours while police investigated the accident.

By Bay City News Service.