Bicyclist says Squirrel Hill driver deliberately hit him
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A bicyclist riding in Squirrel Hill this afternoon said the driver of a pickup truck deliberately swerved and knocked him to the pavement before fleeing.
Nick Drombosky, 25, of Oakland, said he was riding on Wilkins Avenue near the intersection with South Negley Avenue when the pickup truck overtook him from behind, passing within inches.
Mr. Drombosky extended his arm as a reminder to the driver that a Pennsylvania law enacted this year requires vehicle operators to give at least four feet of clearance when passing a bicycle.
The reminder evidently did not sit well with the truck driver, who swerved to the right to knock Mr. Drombosky to the pavement, the bicyclist said.
The driver continued on, stopped briefly, then drove off, Mr. Drombosky said. Several witnesses were able to record the license plate number of the truck, and furnished it to police, he said.
Mr. Drombosky was taken to UPMC Presbyterian, where he was fitted with a neck brace and was being checked for head injuries. From the hospital, he said the truck hit his hip, shoulder and elbow and that he struck his head on the ground, cracking his bike helmet.
Zone 4 police were investigating.
First Published November 13, 2012 2:57 pm
