Police: Bicyclist Hit, Killed By School Bus In St. Paul
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Dozens of kids aboard a school bus witnessed the crash that killed a man on his bike Wednesday afternoon.
The crash happened at about 2:10 p.m. at the intersection of Summit and Snelling avenues in St. Paul.
While police investigate how it happened, neighbors are calling for safer streets.
The busy St. Paul intersection has long caused concern for people who spend time in the area.
"If you're a pedestrian or if you're a bicyclist, you really put your life in danger if you're going to be on Snelling Avenue," said St. Paul resident Sue Rohland.
A school bus carrying 30 students from Ramsey Middle School collided with a man on a bike, killing him. He was wearing a helmet. The students on board and the bus driver were not hurt.
Officials from St. Paul Public Schools say some students witnessed the crash. Crisis counselors will be at the school for the rest of the week.
"My heart goes out for the victim and the person that was affected, and the bus driver and all the people that had to witness it. I's a terrible thing," said University of St. Thomas student Anthony Preston.
The Saint Paul Bicycle Coalition says it has pushed for a protected bike lane for a decade. That is when another fatal bike accident happened near the same intersection.
"I think that bikes and cars need to get along together and pay attention to each other, that's the issue," said bicyclist Ken Bayliss.
Rohland has contacted the city council, and plans to now reach out to the mayor.
"It's a school bus, it's kids on a school bus, it's some poor person on a bicycle," Rohland said. "You know, this doesn't have to happen, and it shouldn't happen."
A St. Paul Police spokesperson said the school bus did have a working camera. Investigators hope it will help show them what happened.
The bus company, First Student, said the driver has been removed from service, which is standard procedure during an investigation.
The names of the victim and the driver have not been released. Investigators do not believe drugs or alcohol played a part in the crash.
Police say this is the first fatal vehicle-versus-bicycle crash in 2018, and the fifth crash of its kind this year. There were 99 bicycle-related crashes in 2017, one resulting in a fatality.
