Semi collides with Bicycle – Cyclist in critical condition
Posted By Sam Ollinger on December 21, 2009
Last Friday, a semi-trailer collided with a bicyclist riding in the City Heights neighborhood and dragged the bicyclist more than 20 feet before stopping.
Matt Kelly. Photo from FriendsofMattKelly.com
The rider is currently in critical condition at Scripps Hospital in Hillcrest and is undergoing basic stabilizing surgeries before surgeons start the process of reconstructing his femur and pelvis.
We will keep you updated as we learn more. If you are an attorney and can take on this case, please leave a comment or contact us at admin [at] bikesd[dot]org.
UPDATE I:
The rider is Matt Kelly of North Park. His family and friends have set up a website to distribute information and collect donations for Matt Kelly. Please help if you are able to do so.
UPDATE II:
A friend of Matt’s, Lauren Leonard, sent us an email with the following update:
Matt was heading eastbound on Orange Avenue when the semi, making a right hand turn, clipped him from behind and ran him over but didn’t realize it. He then continued to drive about 20 feet while Matt was pinned underneath, dragging him along. Once the driver stopped, Matt continued to be pinned under the semi for about 20-40 minutes while the authorities worked to get him safely out. His femur and pelvic blade were shattered, and he has had severe internal bleeding since his femeral artery was severed as well. He has been through four surgeries just to curb the internal bleeding, and they plan to start reconstructing his bones in the coming days. He can wiggle his toes, but is expected to be in the hospital for several more weeks. Matt’s family, Tom, Odette, and Erin Kelly are staying with him at Scripps Memorial. The website for more information/to make donations is at www.friendsofmattkelly.com
A concert was held last night in North Park with the band Crystal Antlers headlining. The band was generous enough to donate all of the proceeds to Matt’s family and medical expenses.
I do not have any information about the police report, but I do know that the driver was questioned and the semi was impounded as evidence.
UPDATE III:
Matt Kelly’s sister has started a blog to document Matt’s progress in the hospital.
[...] San Diego cyclist is in critical condition after colliding with a semi last week. Blaming the victim: a cyclist in Santa Cruz gets ticketed for getting doored. [...]
I run sackmagazine.com, and I would like to help try and get you guys donations for Matt. A good friend of mine worked at Woodstocks with him and she told me about it. I can post something on my site for him… let me know what I can do.
Stephen,
Thanks so much for offering to help! Donations can be made via PayPal at http://www.friendsofmattkelly.com. Please forward this link to anyone you know who would be interesting in supporting Matt and his family. You can also join the Friends of Matt Kelly group on Facebook to follow his recovery at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=212217438596
Warm regards,
Lauren
Thank you for writing this post and drawing attention to Matt’s struggle. He is strong, but he needs our help. We love you Matt.