Driver Strikes Cyclist at Fell and Masonic

A Ford Focus ZXW station wagon involved in a crash at Fell and Masonic today. Photos: Jim Herd/SF Citizen

A driver struck and apparently injured a bicyclist at the intersection of Fell and Masonic this afternoon.

Details of the crash, including the extent of the bicyclist's injuries, are still emerging, but photos of the crash published on SF Citizen show the victim's red Cannondale fixed-gear bicycle split in two. The windshield and hood of the small Ford Focus ZXW station wagon involved in the crash were smashed.

Jim Herd, who happened upon the aftermath around 1 p.m., said he was able to gather only limited information about the circumstances, but did learn that the driver is a Native French speaker, and the victim's brother was on the scene.

The intersection is notorious for conflicts between bicyclists and drivers, since drivers turning from Fell onto Masonic often fail to yield to bicyclists riding along the Panhandle bike path. That prompted the SFMTA to seek relief from the bike injunction to install a bike-only light at the intersection. Drivers have continued to illegally turn through the light, however.

Herd said he couldn't tell what caused the crash, but that it appeared to happen at a higher speed than a typical crash between a turning car and a cyclist crossing the Panhandle path. The San Francisco Police Department could not confirm details of the crash immediately, but we'll update with more information as it comes in.

Update: SFPD spokesperson Samson Chan said the cyclist suffered non-life-threatening injuries and a medic responded at the scene. According to Chan, a caller reported the cyclist had flipped in the air during the crash, but apparently was still conscious and breathing when officers arrived. The driver remained on the scene to speak with officers. Still no word on exactly how the crash happened.

More photos of the aftermath of the crash after the break.

An officer holds the wreckage of a bicycle involved in the crash today.

A vehicle involved in the crash today.

The victim's brother holds the damaged bicycle.

The scene of a crash at Fell and Masonic.