Canadian Bicyclist Killed after Falling into Traffic

Date: September 20, 2009
Location: U.S. Highway 101 near Northeast 10th Street, Lincoln City, Oregon
Names: Kit Yang Charlene Pun, Doral E. Bray
Type: Bicycle-Car Accident

A Calgary, Alberta, woman was killed around 6 PM, September 20, 2009, when she fell off her bicycle on Highway 101 in Lincoln City and was struck by a car. According to OregonLive.com, Kit Yang Charlene Pun, 26, was in the center turn lane when she suddenly fell off her bicycle into the southbound lane, directly in front of a car driven by Doral E. Bray, 86, of Otis, Oregon.

Despite sustained efforts at performing CPR, first by two passersby, then by rescue crews, Pun was pronounced dead at the scene. The cause of death was severe head trauma.

The motorist, Bray, who was unharmed, stayed at the scene and is cooperating fully with the investigation. Police have reportedly ruled out speed and alcohol as factors in the crash, and Bray was not cited.

Pun was biking through Oregon with two friends, neither of whom was injured. She was wearing a helmet, but, according to Lincoln City Police Sgt. Jeffrey G. Winn, her bicycling cleats may have contributed to the tragic fall when they caught on the pedals, throwing her off balance. Biking cleats lock onto the pedals of a bicycle.

Members of North Lincoln Fire & Rescue, Pacific West Ambulance, Newport Police Department, Oregon Department of Transportation, and the Lincoln County District Attorney’s Office assisted the Lincoln City Police at the scene.

Highway 101 was closed for approximately three hours while the crash was being investigated. Both northbound and southbound traffic was diverted to side streets.

As the community joins together in mourning for Pun, we send our heartfelt wishes to her family, and to her two cycling companions, as they move through this shocking and unfortunate tragedy.

In the aftermath of an inexpressibly sad event like this, when it seems as if events were almost random, many in the community will be asking, “Why?” Perhaps this accident resulted from a series of random misfortunes. However, perhaps there were factors, as yet unknown, that contributed to the tragic outcome. In a situation where there is fault, a skilled Portland personal injury attorney is vital. With experience and knowledge in this particular area of law, a personal injury lawyer’s diligent inquiry can sometimes lead to the answers we all long for.

DuBois Law Group, is located in Portland, Oregon, and serves clients in all Oregon cities and counties, including: Portland, Beaverton, Multnomah County, Hillsboro, Gresham, Lake Oswego, West Linn, Tualatin, Troutdale, Sellwood, Corvallis, Salem, Eugene, and Albany.