DAVIS >> A cyclist participating in Saturday’s Davis Double Century died after being struck by a tractor trailer.
Ronald Cortez, 50 of Rocklin, had just started the 200 mile ride through Solano, Lake, Yolo and Napa counties early Saturday morning when he ran through a stop sign on Tremont Road outside of Davis, according a report from the California Highway Patrol. At the same time the truck traveling on Sparling Lane entered the intersection.
Sparling Lane does not have a stop sign.
CHP reported that the Kenworth, pulling double trailers and driven by Jose Rios, 62 of Dixon, was traveling at approximately 55 miles per hour. The driver could not stop in time and ran over the cyclist.
According to authorities, Rios could not avoid the collision. Neither drugs nor alcohol contributed to the accident.
Cortez was pronounced dead at the scene.
The incident occurred 6 miles from the start line at just after 5 a.m. Law enforcement shut down a stretch of the road for more than 2 hours. Race organizers immediately routed the circuit away from the accident scene.
It was unclear if many of the other riders were aware of the death, at least during the event.
Riders traversed Lake County through the mountains to Highway 29, continuing on to Highway 20 with little trouble.
Although the annual ride has seen accidents and injuries, this was reportedly the first death in more than 25 years.
