Portland bicyclist killed on Wallace Road
He was identified as Adam Joy, 55.
Robert Weeks, 47, of McMinnville was traveling southbound in a 2021 Ford F-350 when he passed Joy, who was traveling in the same direction.
Joy fell over, into the lane of travel, just as the pickup passed. Even though Weeks had slowed when passing, Joy was struck and pronounced dead at the scene.
Weeks remained at the scene and cooperated with the investigation.
Wallace Road was closed in the area for about six hours while the incident was investigated.
OSP was assisted by medical personnel from Polk and Yamhill counties and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Comments
Joel R
Wow that is horrible to hear.
Honest questions: How can the police know that he "fell over into the lane" and that Mr Weeks "slowed down when passing"? Has this been thoroughly investigated? Was Mr Weeks on his phone sending a text? Was he drowsy? Was he intoxicated? Did he try to pass the biker without moving over and giving him enough room? Seems like there has to be a lot more to this story.
Oregonian
All those questions will be addressed in a normal investigation. It won't be hard to figure out his phone history and I'm sure they gave him a breathalyzer test at the scene.
The "a lot more to this story" has more to do with how dangerous the roads are for bicyclists.
I thought there would be comments on this story regarding the bike/hike trail that the YC commissioners cancelled. If you want to ride a bike in YC, you're risking your life due to the unsafe roads.
BigfootLives
You apparently don't spend much time around Portland cyclists. They are arrogant, cut you off in traffic, and cut back into the middle of the road to slow traffic. I am not saying this is the case here, but the arrogance puts them at danger at city driving speeds. let alone highway speeds.
God rest the mans soul, and the investigation will find the facts as Oregonian stated. He may have even had a dashcam, also the location of impact, skid marks, etc. If he deceased in the middle of the road with little damage to the bike I would doubt that he was hit while upright as he would have been thrown a good distance and the bike would have been a pretzel.
Yes, that road sucks and bike trail to wine country isn't going to fix it. Oregon does not spend money on improvements to roads for evil gas powered vehicles other than pave over the pot holes every once in while.
BC
How awful for both families. My heart goes out to the man's family that was killed, but also, very much so for Robert Weeks and his family. That trauma will stay with him forever.
DJ
bikes should not be ridden on highways, period. this is an unfortunate example of why. cars are heavier & harder than humans. not sure why bicyclists dont understand that. sure, the driver may go to jail, if there is cause, but the meat-bag on the bike will be dead. all for a "relaxing" ride on a highway with no shoulders and tons of blind corners.
Oregonian
I stopped to use my phone at the Champoeg state park outside lot. A guy was getting a high end bike out of his truck. I said "it isn't safe to ride this road, have you ever tried Haag Lake?". He said no, but that he only rode inside the state park area and avoided all the outside roads.
Seemed like a smart idea.