On Friday, April 10th, 2015 at 1:15 p.m. the Pinal County Sheriff’s 9-1-1 Communications Center received a call regarding a serious injury, vehicle vs. bicyclist accident, at McKellips Boulevard and Delaware Drive just outside the city limits of Apache Junction.
Patrol deputies arrived at the accident and began to investigate. They learned the Jared Michael Wines, age 27, of Apache Junction) was the driver of the 2002 Ford Taurus was taking his six-year-old daughter home from school. Wines had been driving westbound on McKellips Boulevard approaching Delaware Drive.
Jameson Kennedy, age 51 of Apache Junction, was riding his bicycle also heading west on McKellips approaching Delaware at the time of the accident. The Ford Taurus struck the bicycle from behind throwing the bicyclist from the bicycle. The cyclist landed on the vehicle and then rolled into the roadway which caused severe injuries to his head and body.
Medics began to provide immediate lifesaving treatment to Kennedy who did not have a pulse. While performing Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation they were able to establish a pulse. Kennedy was transported by ground ambulance to a local hospital and then transported by air-ambulance to Scottsdale Osborn Hospital.
Pinal County Sheriff’s Vehicular Crimes Unit Detectives were called to the scene to investigate the collision. Roadway evidence showed that Kennedy was operating his bicycle on the fog line in the westbound lane of traffic. The Ford Taurus was also traveling in the westbound lane of traffic. The driver of the Ford Taurus stated that he was traveling at approximately 45 MPH. He further stated that an unknown animal, possibly a dog or coyote, ran out in front of him and the bicyclist. The cyclist swerved left and the driver swerved to the right causing him to strike the cyclist from the behind.
There was no suspected impairment due to alcohol or drugs on either the driver of the vehicle or the bicycle rider. Detectives did see several tracks from animals on the dirt shoulder of the roadway. The area where the collision occurred is a rural area and wildlife regularly crosses the roadway in this area.
Sheriff Paul Babeu stated, “Sadly, at 6 p.m. on Saturday evening, detectives were notified that Jameson Kennedy was removed from life-support and passed away a short time later. This case is a tragedy and our condolences go out to the Kennedy family.”