Santa Rosa altercation with cyclist leads to car crash

A Santa Rosa driver suffered major injuries in a crash Wednesday afternoon that occurred during an altercation with a bicyclist, the Highway Patrol reported.

Austin McClure, 18, was southbound on Fulton Road just north of River Road around 1:20 p.m. when he encountered a cyclist, possibly a transient, going in the same direction, the CHP said.

“Per a witness, there was an exchange of words between them,” said CHP Sgt. Erik Egide.

McClure circled back around in his 2003 Acura to pass the cyclist again, according to the CHP report.

The witness reported the Acura “weaving side to side” as it approached the cyclist, who was stopped and had his hand raised, as if he were going to throw something, Egide said.

The Acura slid to the right shoulder where it collided with a parked, unoccupied 2000 Ford Ranger.

Officer Rich Torres said the crash was due to “the driver’s own error. He lost control.”

McClure was taken to Memorial Hospital. Two passengers, 19- and 20-year old males, had relatively minor injuries according to the CHP.

The unidentified cyclist rode away.