The Tucson Police Department is investigating a fatal collision that occurred this morning on South Craycroft Road and East 22nd Street.
On September 16, 2015, at 8:30 a.m., officers responded to multiple reports of a collision involving a vehicle and a bicyclist. The collision was on South Craycroft Road at East 22nd Street. Officers arrived on scene and located an adult male bicyclist with obvious injuries. The Tucson Fire Department responded and immediately transported the male to adult male Medical Center with life-threatening injuries. Shortly after his arrival, the male succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased.
Detectives responded to the scene to continue the investigation. They spoke with witnesses and evaluated evidence on scene. Detectives were able to determine the bicyclist was riding northbound on Craycroft Road and stopped for a red light at East 22nd Street. The traffic light for eastbound and westbound traffic on 22nd Street was green. The bicyclist proceeded northbound against the red light while riding the bicycle in the crosswalk.
Eastbound drivers in the curb lane and middle lane were able to slow to avoid the bicyclist. However, the driver of a 2007 Dodge Nitro, who was traveling in the median lane, was unable to see the bicyclist until he appeared in front of the vehicle. The bicyclist was not wearing a helmet. The driver of the Nitro was not injured and remained on scene. Speed and alcohol do not appear to be factors in this collision.
The adult male bicyclist has been identified as 74-year-old John Venneman. Next of kin has been notified. Year to date Tucson has experienced 39 vehicular deaths up 69% from the 23 experienced in 2014.