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Modesto bicyclist killed on Claus Road
[March 23, 2010]

Modesto bicyclist killed on Claus Road


Mar 23, 2010 (The Modesto Bee - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- A 73-year-old Modesto bicyclist was killed Monday after he apparently rode into the path of a pickup truck driving southbound on Claus Road near Scenic Drive, authorities said.



William Foltz was riding in the right lane and attempting to cross the left lane to make his way into the left-hand turn lane at the Claus-Scenic intersection when he was hit from behind, according to officer Scott Nelson of the Modesto Police Department.

Witnesses told police that Foltz, who was wearing a helmet, had put his hand out to signal, but didn't make sure the lane was clear before entering it, Nelson said.


Foltz was taken to Memorial Medical Center and serious condition, and later died from his injuries.

The driver of the pickup truck was not cited, although police are still investigating the accident. Nelson said it's not known how fast the driver was going, but that speed didn't appear to be a factor.

The name of the driver was not immediately available.

Nelson said alcohol or drugs did not play a role in the accident.

This was Stanislaus County's fifth death in the last three months in which either a pedestrian or bicyclist died from injuries after being struck by a vehicle.

On Feb. 23, a 70-year-old Turlock man, Charles Arnold, was killed after he was struck in a crosswalk by a sport utility vehicle while crossing at Olive Avenue and Wayside Drive.

On Feb. 12, Ashley Henderson, 16, of Waterford was riding a bicycle and trying to cross Highway 132 at Western Avenue when she was hit by a pickup. She died early the next morning.

On Feb. 4, Fermin Duran Jr., 29, of Modesto was struck by a sport utility vehicle after he stopped his bike in dark and rainy conditions in the eastbound lane of West Service Road.

On Dec. 30, Joyce Cody, 46, of Riverbank was killed by a big rig as she walked her bicycle across the street at Atchison and First streets in Riverbank.

To see more of The Modesto Bee, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.modbee.com/. Copyright (c) 2010, The Modesto Bee, Calif. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.

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