Help police find vehicle involved in cyclist hit and run collision

Saturday evening (August 25th) there was a collision at the intersection of Clifton Ave. and West Blvd in Cleveland involving 30 year old Elizabeth Deering and a speeding motorist who maliciously fled the scene of the crash. Ms. Deering, who turned 30 a few days ago and is a designer at American Greetings, was on her way to a social bike ride with a group of friends.

According to reports, Elizabeth Deering suffered serious injuries and was transported to MetroHealth Medical Center. She is recovering and is planning to be released later this week. Our thoughts and hopes for a speedy recovery are with Ms. Deering, along with her family, friends, and the larger cycling community.

While details of the accident are still under investigation, reports indicate that the cyclist was headed eastbound on Clifton Ave. when the motorist, headed westbound, turned left into the cyclists, striking her, and then drove off without stopping. Reports indicate that the car was traveling 40-50mph. The Cleveland Police Department is looking for a late 1990’s gold, four door vehicle with damage to the front and passenger side. If you think to see a vehicle that fits this description call the Cleveland Police at 216-623-5000.

As advocates working for safer streets, Bike Cleveland believes people should be responsible for moving carefully and without harming others, whether they are riding a bicycle or driving a car. The inhuman actions exhibited by the motorist that seriously injured Ms. Deering lacked care and compassion. Bike Cleveland is committed to working with the Cleveland Police and the community to identify and hold accountable the driver involved. Ensuring the safety of cyclists on our public roadways is the key priority of Bike Cleveland.

On June 4th, Cleveland City Council passed the Bicycle Transportation Safety Ordinance with the support of Bike Cleveland and the larger bicycling community. This ordinance explicitly states in section 431.10(e) that the operator of a vehicle within an intersection intending to turn left shall yield the right of way to any vehicle or bicycle approaching from the opposite direction.

Bike Cleveland hopes that all users of the road will learn from this senseless tragedy, and respect the rights that cyclists have to operate on the road as any other vehicle. When moving around our city’s streets — whether driving or bicycling — we all must hold ourselves to the highest standard of safety, and as vulnerable road users bikes and pedestrians must be prioritized to ensure safety.

If you have any information about the motorist involved in this senseless accident please contact the Cleveland Police Department.

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