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On September 21, 2010 deputies responded to a motor vehicle collision involving a bicyclist on Indian Bridge Road in California. Investigation revealed vehicle 1, a 2008 GMC Sierra, driven by Terry Dale Blackburn, 63 of Lexington Park, was traveling northbound on Indian Bridge Road. Mr. Blackburn failed to yield the right of way to vehicle #2, a Felt bicycle, operated by off duty St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Corporal Timothy Butler. Vehicle #1 collided with vehicle #2 ejecting the Cpl. Butler from the bicycle. [per comments: “almost the entire northbound portion of Indian Bridge Road is unsuitable for bicycle riding”] Corporal Butler was flown by Maryland State Police Helicopter Trooper 2 to Baltimore Shock Trauma where he was treated and released. Mr. Blackburn was not injured in the collision. The accident remains under investigation. |
https://www.thebaynet.com/news/index.cfm/fa/viewstory/story_ID/19697oldId.20100924231218530
I commuted by bicycle on this road for 3 years or-so before changing jobs in January. The road does not have a continuous smoot-paved shoulder. In some portions there is no shoulder and in some places it is a gravel-type paving that is unridable at speed. (This is where the accident occured). I would typcially ride out in the lane in these segments, and was subject to considerable verbal abuse by drivers. It took quite a long time for the drivers that I would normally see along my route to "accept me". I got them to accept me by waving "thank you" to every driver that passed me in a safe manner. I felt like a dope doing this, but it worked over time.
The posted speed limit is 40 (I think), but people drive waaaay faster.
I am very sorry that a bicyclist got hit. Hopefully though, the fact that a deputy sherrif got hit will elevate the level of attention that bicyclists get from law enforcement in St. Mary’s county. I hope he recovers swiftly and without long-term adverse effects.
Joe Kubinec; Hollywood MD