If you enjoy the pleasures of two-wheeled vehicles like we do, you know why we had goosebumps after hearing about the fatal car-bike collision on Sunday in north Scottsdale.
The victim, 53-year-old Shawn McCarty, was doing everything right. He had a helmet on and was riding in a bike lane. It was about 4:30 p.m. and the weather was clear and beautiful. An SUV rammed into him from behind.
For reasons still unknown to police, a black Chevrolet Tahoe driven by Amy Alexander of Scottsdale had swerved into the bike lane. McCarty was taken to a hospital soon after and pronounced dead.
Police cited Alexander for unsafe passing of a bicycle and driving in a bicycle lane. Her driving hadn't been impaired by drugs or alcohol, cops believe.
There was no indication the crash was intentional -- Officer David Pubins tells New Times that the two didn't know each other.
"The investigation is ongoing but at this time inattention may be the cause," Pubins wrote in an e-mail.
Alexander, 40, is a principal in Scottsdale's Innovative Media Partners. A woman who answered the phone there this morning says Alexander isn't expected to return to work for a few days. "I don't believe she's giving a comment" about the collision, the woman adds.
The road near the collision site is wide, and the bike lane's about as good as it gets in the Valley.
One possible solution to this kind of accident: Raised bike lanes.
