Bicyclist killed in crash near Santa Rosa

A bicyclist died Tuesday afternoon after he got stuck between the wheels of a big rig truck just south of Santa Rosa near Highway 101, leading to an hourslong closure of a busy intersection as officers investigated the collision, authorities said.

The fatal crash was reported to authorities about 12:10 p.m. at the intersection of Todd Road near South Moorland Avenue, where both the driver of the vehicle and the bicyclist were stopped at a red light facing east toward the freeway, CHP Officer David deRutte said.

A 21-year-old Santa Rosa man was behind the wheel of a Peterbilt flatbed truck towing a flatbed trailer. The driver saw the light turn green and looked to the bicyclist, who did not move, deRutte said. Witnesses said the same, deRutte added.

Seeing no reason to stay put, the truck driver stepped on the gas and drove straight. He stopped moments later when he felt something hit the trailer, deRutte said.

'The bicyclist, we don't know if he walked or rode out, but he went into the side of the trailer,' deRutte said. 'The truck didn't go left or right, it just went straight.'

The truck driver, who stopped and stayed while officers investigated the crash, was cooperating with the CHP's investigation, deRutte said. He was driving a vehicle that belonged to Jim-N-I Rentals Inc., a local safety equipment rental business, deRutte said.

There was no evidence drugs or alcohol were involved in the crash, deRutte said.

Traffic in the area, including on- and off-ramps for Highway 101, were closed while the crash was being investigated.

The Sonoma County Coroner's Unit was dispatched to the scene and will name the bicyclist killed in the crash after his family has been notified, deRutte said.

You can reach Staff Writer Nashelly Chavez at 707-521-5203 or nashelly.chavez@pressdemocrat.com.