Earlier yesterday in Auburndale, a man riding a bicycle along U.S. Highway 92 was hit from behind by a car and killed, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office. Deputies responded to the eastbound inside lane, where the cyclist was pronounced dead at the scene.
The crash happened around 1:40 a.m. on the eastbound side of U.S. 92, about 500 feet west of the Polk Parkway, when a 56-year-old Auburndale man driving a 2007 Mercedes struck the bicycle from behind, according to a Polk County Sheriff's Office news release reported by Tampa Bay 28. The victim was described only as a middle-aged man and died at the scene. Investigators said he was wearing dark clothing, had no reflective gear or helmet, and the bike had no lights or reflectors. Deputies reported that they are still working to identify him and that neither impairment nor excessive speed appeared to be factors.
Visibility and the law
Under Florida law, anyone riding a bicycle between sunset and sunrise must have a white front lamp visible from at least 500 feet, along with a red rear lamp and a reflector visible from 600 feet, according to the Florida Statutes. A first-time violation for not having proper lighting can be dismissed if the rider later installs the required equipment.
Those rules are written with roads like U.S. 92 in mind, where fast-moving traffic and low visibility at night leave drivers very little time to see and react to someone on a bike.
US 92's safety record
U.S. 92 has seen other deadly crashes involving people walking and biking in Polk County. The Polk County Sheriff's Office maintains an online list of unsolved fatal hit-and-run cases, which includes previous incidents along the highway corridor, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office. The agency urges anyone with information about such cases to use the contact details on its site to share tips with investigators.
Investigation ongoing
The Traffic Homicide Unit with the Polk County Sheriff's Office is continuing to investigate the crash, and detectives are still working to confirm the bicyclist's identity, officials told Tampa Bay 28. Authorities have not released any additional identifying details about the victim while the investigation remains active.
