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The driver of an SUV struck and seriously injured San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo as he rode his bike along the 600 block of Salt Lake Drive on New Year’s Day. The lawmaker suffered several broken bones from the crash, including a broken collarbone, a broken chest bone, and injuries to his back.
A self-declared “cycling geek” on his Twitter bio, the mayor “was believed to have been on his way to Sierra Road, a popular, challenging climb into the foothills for experienced bicyclists,” reports the San Francisco Chronicle.
According to CBS SF, a friend of the mayor claims a car cutting off Liccardo prompted the collision. Neighbors in the vicinity of the crash say an SUV careening across his path on Salt Lake Drive forced the mayor to collide with the vehicle. The mayor reportedly went through the windshield of the SUV.
The driver of the car cooperated with authorities following the crash. No arrests were made.
In a statement issued Tuesday, the mayor thanked the people who helped him following the incident.
“I’d like to thank compassionate neighbors like Linda and Tom who rushed to help immediately after the accident; the fast and professional response from Fire Station 19 and the San Jose Police Department; the wonderful paramedic care from Alex and her team; and the outstanding medical attention from Dr. Jimenez and the entire staff at Regional Medical Center,” said Mayor Liccardo.
The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition wished Mayor Liccardo a speedy recovery.
“We are are grateful his injuries weren’t more serious,” Brian Wiedenmeier, executive director of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition told Curbed SF, adding, “This collision only emphasizes the need for Bay Area cities like San Jose and San Francisco that have committed to Vision Zero to work urgently to improve safety on our streets in 2019.”