Bicyclist hit by Santa Rosa police car
By MARY CALLAHAN
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Published: Thursday, July 15, 2010 at 8:24 a.m.
A bicyclist who was struck by a Santa Rosa policeman on Highway 12 late Wednesday night crossed from the eastbound bike lane in front of the officer’s car in an effort to turn left, officials said.
Dylan Debiase, 18, broke his baby toe and suffered scrapes and abrasions in the 10 p.m. collision at Boas Drive, police Lt. Ben Harlin said.
The officer, Eric Rhodes, a traffic investigator and DUI enforcement officer, was responding to a call about a suspected drunken driver on eastbound Highway 12 and was headed eastbound himself when Debiase crossed in front of him to turn onto Boas Drive, Harlin said.
Rhodes was in a marked police car, but Harlin said he did not believe his lights or siren were activated.
He said Debiase, who has a Highway 12 address, was in a marked bike lane before he crossed into the two eastbound car lanes.
Rhodes moved left to try to avoid the bike but they collided anyway, Harlin said.
Debiase was taken to an area hospital for treatment and later released, police said.
Authorities, meanwhile, closed down the eastbound lanes of Highway 12 into the early morning hours of Thursday to investigate and are still seeking witnesses, Harlin said.
Anyone who saw the incident is asked to call the Santa Rosa Police Department’s Traffic Bureau at (707) 543-3600