A 48-year-old Bakersfield, Calif., man remains in serious condition after the bicycle he was riding Thursday was struck in the tunnel at Cave Rock on Highway 50 near Lake Tahoe, a Nevada Highway Patrol trooper said.
Clarence M. Aldridge was flown by Care Flight to Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno for his injuries where he remains in serious condition. NHP responded at 9:50 a.m. to the accident, which closed a portion of the highway for several hours, said NHP Trooper Dave Gibson.
The crash investigation details learned so far indicate a 2004 Kenworth tractor truck and trailer driven by Richard J. Pettay, 39, of Carson City and bicyclist Aldridge were both traveling eastbound on Highway 50 in the right lane and entered the tunnel with the tractor truck following the bicycle.
For reasons unknown at this time Pettay did not see Aldridge and the front of the tractor struck the rear of the bicycle. Aldridge was thrown from the bicycle inside the tunnel, said Gibson.
After colliding with the bicycle, Pettay exited the tunnel and stopped. Aldridge came to rest inside the tunnel in the right lane. He was stabilized by EMT’s and was later transported by Care Flight to Renown Regional Medical Center with serious injuries.
Pettay is cooperating with law enforcement during their investigation. Alcohol or drugs is not a factor at this time. The accident remains under investigation and charges are pending, said Gibson.
There is not a bike lane inside the two lane tunnel and the speed limit is 35 mile per hour.
Trooper Chris Kelly of the Nevada Highway Patrol’s Major Accident Investigation Team is investigating this tragic event. Witnesses or anyone else with more information can reach out to him at (775) 689-4661 or ckelly@dps.state.nv.us regarding case number NHP-140700874.