SUV Strikes and Kills South Carolina Bicyclist on County Road 235 in Alachua County

A 41-year-old South Carolina man was killed Friday morning after being struck by an SUV while riding his bicycle in Alachua County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The fatal crash occurred on February 27 at approximately 10:30 a.m. on County Road 235 near Southeast 174th Place in Alachua County.

Authorities say the bicyclist was riding in the roadway when the collision occurred.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol crash report:

• A 66-year-old Citra man was driving an SUV southbound on County Road 235.
• The SUV struck the bicycle being ridden by a 41-year-old man from Lexington, South Carolina.
• The bicyclist suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead.

Troopers have not yet released additional details about whether the bicyclist was traveling in the same direction as traffic, attempting to cross the roadway, or positioned near the shoulder at the time of impact.

The crash remains under active investigation.

Bicycle Safety and Driver Responsibility in Florida

Under Florida law, bicyclists are generally afforded the same rights and responsibilities as motorists when operating on public roadways. Drivers are required to:

• Maintain a safe distance when passing cyclists
• Yield when appropriate
• Keep a proper lookout for vulnerable road users
• Exercise reasonable care to avoid collisions

County Road 235 is a rural roadway where higher speeds and limited shoulders can increase the risk of serious or fatal bicycle crashes.

Potential Legal Considerations in Fatal Bicycle Crashes

When a bicyclist is killed in a motor vehicle crash, surviving family members may have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim if negligence contributed to the collision.

Possible factors investigators may examine include:

• Speed of the SUV
• Visibility conditions
• Roadway design and shoulder width
• Whether the driver was distracted
• Whether the bicyclist was lawfully positioned in the roadway

In Florida, wrongful death claims can seek compensation for:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Medical costs incurred prior to death
• Loss of financial support
• Loss of companionship and protection
• Mental pain and suffering for certain surviving family members

A thorough investigation, including crash reconstruction and review of any available surveillance or witness testimony, is often critical in determining liability.

Investigation Ongoing

The Florida Highway Patrol continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash on County Road 235.

Anyone who may have witnessed the collision or has information that could assist investigators is encouraged to contact authorities as the investigation moves forward.