UPDATE AT 5 P.M. What was supposed to be a routine bike ride turned deadly Thursday morning. A box truck plowed into a group of bicyclists on the U.S. 95 south of Boulder City.
“I don’t even know. It’s just the worst thing I’ve ever seen in my life," former Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officer Michael Anderson said.
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He was collecting his thoughts after a horrific day. Five of his fellow bicyclists were killed after that box truck struck their group.
“Try to contact their families... I don’t even know how to say it to them,” he said.
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Anderson says the wind caused part of the group to get behind a safety vehicle to protect themselves when the box truck hit them. The group was on an annual bike ride, making a 135-mile loop into California.
“Every year, as I said, we do the Nipton loop. We leave the M casino, go on the 95 and go to Searchlight and back up to Nipton, California,” he said.
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NHP troopers say three other bicyclists were injured in the crash with one in critical condition needing to be airlifted. They still don’t know why the driver hit the group, but investigators don’t believe the driver was impaired. They say it’s one of the worst crashes they’ve recently seen.
“It’s a horrific tragedy when you have a beautiful sunny day like this, and we just lost the lives of five people,” Trooper Travis Smaka said.
Troopers say the driver was not hurt and remained at the scene and was cooperating with investigators.
Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak also shared that he was devastated about the situation and sent love to all those affected.
I was devastated to hear this news this morning. Kathy and I are sending all our love to the families affected and to those on the scene responding to the situation. https://t.co/XQ0ztzJt4o
— Governor Sisolak (@GovSisolak) December 10, 2020
UPDATE AT 1 P.M. Five bicyclists were killed this morning after being struck by a box truck, according to Nevada Highway Patrol.
The driver of the box truck, who is cooperating with police, was also taken to a hospital.
Additionally, at least 3 other bicyclists were injured. One was airlifted to a hospital in critical condition from the scene south of Boulder City. Another one was transported by ambulance and is in serious condition. The third bicyclist suffered minor injuries.
We spoke with Michael Anderson, who was a bicyclist in the group that was hit by the box truck. He says five of his friends were killed when the truck hit them. He’s still very shaken up. @KTNV pic.twitter.com/RcUsV7VkK1
— Jeremy Chen (@JeremyChenKTNV) December 10, 2020
NHP says it does not believe at this time that the driver of the box truck was impaired.
The bicyclists did have a safety car with them at the time of the incident. However, one group of cyclists was in front of the car and the other was behind. It is not known which group was struck.
We’ve moved closer to the crash site. Lots of NHP vehicles on scene. This is around mile marker 35 on the SB 95 towards Searchlight. @KTNV pic.twitter.com/nYNeGP1ATf
— Jeremy Chen (@JeremyChenKTNV) December 10, 2020
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Nevada Highway Patrol says a deadly crash involving a box truck and multiple bicycles has closed the U.S. 95 near Boulder City.
The agency did not specify how many bicycles were involved or how many deaths.
The closure is at U.S. 95 southbound and State Route 165/Nelson Road. Avoid the area.
NHP is redirecting traffic at 95 and 165. This is about 10 miles north of a fatal crash involving a box truck. @KTNV pic.twitter.com/Hq5BxTYfz9
— Jeremy Chen (@JeremyChenKTNV) December 10, 2020
No other information was immediately available.
This is breaking news, check back for updates.
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Area near the crash:
