A late-Tuesday bike ride in North Sacramento ended in tragedy when a bicyclist was struck and killed by a car on a stretch of road the city has long flagged as dangerous.
The collision happened shortly after 10:45 p.m. on the 3200 block of Marysville Boulevard in the Hagginwood neighborhood, between Arcade and Los Robles boulevards. The rider, 69-year-old James Derek Williams, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to authorities.
As reported by The Sacramento Bee, Sacramento police said the driver of the car stayed at the scene and that neither drugs nor alcohol appeared to be factors. The department’s Major Collision and crime-scene investigators responded, and the investigation remains active. Anyone with tips is asked to call Sacramento police at 916-808-5471.
Marysville Boulevard already on the city’s danger list
The section of Marysville Boulevard where the crash took place has been singled out by city planners under Sacramento’s Vision Zero program, which targets streets with a history of serious collisions. The City of Sacramento reports that between 2009 and 2017, there were 19 crashes along that segment that led to a fatality or serious injury.
In response, the city rolled out a quick-build safety project along portions of Marysville this spring, including a reduction in travel lanes and installation of protected bike lanes. Officials say that work is nearly complete. Earlier coverage on the funding and political push behind those changes appeared in slam brakes on racetrack Marysville.
Recent bike deaths fuel urgency
Williams’ death comes during a grim season for local cyclists, with several fatal collisions reported this spring and renewed pressure on the city to move faster on street safety.
In April, a bicyclist was killed on Del Paso Road in North Natomas, according to The Sacramento Bee. Advocates say incidents like these highlight why quick-build fixes are needed and argue that permanent reconstruction should follow, not stop, with paint and plastic posts.
Sacramento police say the Marysville Boulevard investigation is ongoing and are asking anyone with video or information about the crash to contact the department. This story will be updated as officials release additional details.
