Ghost Bike Descanso-Interstate Blvd

Tuesday, October 23, 2007
HELEN JUNG
The Oregonian Staff
A cyclist was killed in North Portland on Monday after being pinned by a garbage truck making a right turn -- a near replay of another fatal crash that occurred downtown less than two weeks ago.

Brett Robert Jarolimek, 31, of Southeast Portland was going straight in a bike lane as the truck, with its turn signal on, turned. Although skid marks at the scene show the cyclist tried to brake, he hit the truck, fell underneath and was crushed by the rear set of tires. The cyclist, who was wearing a helmet, was pronounced dead at the scene.

With the death of 19-year-old cyclist Tracey Sparling not even two weeks old, Monday's collision is heightening frustration over how vehicles and bikes share the road. Sparling was killed when a cement truck turned right as she proceeded straight after a stoplight had turned green.

As the garbage truck approached the green light at North Greeley Avenue, the driver slowed down, police said. With his signal on, he started to make the sharp turn onto Greeley.

The cyclist, police said, had since gained speed coming down the hill and was proceeding straight in the bike lane to the right of the driving lane. As the truck turned, the cyclist struck the vehicle.