WEST VERO CORRIDOR — A 39-year-old Vero Beach man riding an electric bicycle was killed after he fell from the bike and was struck by a sports utility vehicle Friday afternoon, officials said. The wreck led law enforcement officers to block all eastbound lanes on State Road 60 for several hours.
The SUV’s driver, a 64-year-old man, along with passengers ages 63 and 71, all of Vero Beach, were not hurt, according to Florida Highway Patrol.
The crash involving the bicyclist and the SUV happened shortly before 5 p.m. in the 7800 block of S.R. 60, east of Interstate 95, said Kevin Jaworski, a spokesperson for the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office. Troopers said the bicyclist was traveling eastbound in the bike lane on the south side of the roadway.
The SUV’s driver headed in the same direction in the outside lane adjacent to the bike lane. Troopers said the bicyclist ran over tree debris, fell into the outside lane and was struck by the SUV.
The bicyclist was taken to Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital, said David Rattray, deputy chief with Indian River County Fire Rescue. Jaworski said the man arrived at the hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Doctors pronounced the man dead Friday evening, Jaworski said.
The roadway was reopened by 11 p.m. Troopers with the traffic homicide unit were at the scene investigating the deadly collision.