On Friday, Michael Kalan of Portland was killed while bicycling in Washington County. Discussions on the OBRA list serve point out how dangerous this intersection is, but the cyclist had the right-of-way and the driver failed the yield, citing sun in her eyes.
Also from the OBRA list serve: “[Mike] had just moved out here from the midwest and was very much looking forward to racing [cyclo]cross more than anything else.”
There was also a rumor that the intersection might be converted into a roundabout. (As you can see from the photo below, the intersection is quite a mess).
Note to us all: when we can’t see, stop driving or biking.
Our thoughts are with the Kalan family. We’re so sorry for your loss.
Release from the Washington County Sheriff’s office:
On 9-15-06 at about 6:15pm the Washington County Sheriff’s Office investigated a fatal crash involving a bicyclist and a vehicle. Deputies responded to the intersection of NW West Union Rd and NW Shute Rd. Editor’s note: this Google map incorrectly lists Shute as Helvetia Rd. here, but I’m quite sure it’s the intersection. Let me know if I’ve got it wrong. Deputies arrived to find 35 year-old Michael Kalan of Portland deceased at the scene.
Initial information indicates 39 year-old Denise Gudmundsson of Yamhill was driving westbound on West Union Rd when she turned into the path of Kalan who was riding his bicycle eastbound on West Union Rd. It appears Gudmundsson turned left to go southbound on Shute Rd. This turn placed Gudmundsson into Kalan’s path causing the collision.
Gudmundsson told investigators the sun was in her eyes and she did not see the bicyclist. Alcohol was not a factor in this crash.
The Washington County interagency (Crash Analysis Reconstruction Team) CART team is continuing the investigation. The Washington County District Attorney will review this case.
North of Highway 26, Shute Rd is signed as Helvetia Rd, starting at Jacobsen Rd. I’ve ridden through those intersections as both a cyclist and a driver and didn’t feel safe either time because of the way they’re set up. I’m surprised there haven’t been more accidents.
There is a funeral for Mike this Friday. Read the details here:
http://www.bikeportland.org/forum/showthread.php?t=460
This is truly heart wrenching. Mike Kalan was a great father and
friend. His friends in Wapakoneta, Ohio where he lived for the
past several years are heart broken for this family and the loss
of Mike. He was an avid cyclist and a devout Christian and
family man. He was a good friend.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mike, Wendy, Alex and
McKenna and his entire family and new friends in Portland.
My thoughts go out to Michael’s family. I wish to point out a misleading opening sentence used in a 9/19/06 Hillsboro Argus front-page article reporting the crash. The article starts “A bicyclist died Friday after running into a car at [West Union & Shute roads] Friday night.” The vehicle struck the cyclist, who was traveling in a legal fashion. Early evening, prior to sunset, is not “night”, though this may be a minor point. The rest of the article appears to be quite neutral, but the opening words imply some culpability on the cyclist’s part that is just not supported by the evidence.
Mike Kalan was my teamate back here in Cincinnati and we are all grief stricken from this tragedy. He will be sorely missed on our team and in the cycling world. My heart goes out to Wendy and all of his family and friends.
This is a wake up call to all of us who spend hours and miles on the road to pay attention, ride smart and carry identification.
Remembrances can be made to a fund for his children at Wells Fargo Bank.
Debbie Baker – Biowheels Racing Cincinnati
The Kalan family will have a memorial service in Madison WI, Wednesday 11 AM, October 4, 2006, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Church is located at Whitney Way and Raymond
Road.
The family would like to extend their appreciation and thanks for the all the caring comments and sympathy received. Our thanks go to all his friends, bikers and teammates through out the country. God bless you/God bless Mike.
It’s been a few years. I was a co-worker of Mike’s working with him out in St Marys, OH.
I was just sitting here tonight and thinking about him and this tragedy.
I haven’t forgotten and don’t think I ever will.