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Sam Penrod ReportingA Utah County woman is recovering after she was hit while riding a bicycle yesterday. The truck which hit her, just kept driving.
Connie Barnes was riding her bike on the Lindon and Orem border yesterday afternoon. A truck pulling a trailer hit her, and never even stopped.
Connie Barnes bicycle was mangled after she was hit by a truck while riding home from classes she is taking at UVSC.
Connie Barnes, Bicycle Accident Victim: "As he came up beside me, the truck passed but the wide load was too wide, it hung over the curb and so it hit and threw me up on the grass, and the wheel crushed my biked and they didn't stop."
Someone who saw what happened called police. Barnes was able to walk away from the accident.
Connie Barnes, Bicycle Accident Victim: "The wheels crushed my bike. I feel real fortunate that those wheels didn't suck me under, that I'm okay. My ankle is sprained and I have a lot of bruises but I'm going to be fine."
She is hoping by telling her story that more drivers will realize the importance of watching out for bicyclists.
Connie Barnes, Bicycle Accident Victim :"I think that people are not conscious of bicycle riders. I don't think they are giving them the right of way. There are a lot of cyclists who enjoy the sport and people need to started being aware and alert."
Barnes has been an active cyclist for decades and has been riding that bike for the last 15 years.
Connie Barnes: "I'm out an expensive racing bike and it's crushed, it's totaled and some medical bills."
Still, she is just happy she is alive to warn others about watching out for bicyclists.
Connie Barnes: "I'm just really thankful to be alive. The nature of the accident, it should really have put me in the hospital or killed me, and I'm just grateful that all that was totaled was my bike."
Barnes and a witness who saw what happened believe the truck was a red or brown Dodge pulling a 5th wheel trailer. She is hoping someone else saw what happened or the driver will turn themselves in.
