A cyclist remains in critical condition after an accident on South Dixie Highway at SW 17th Avenue early this morning. The rider was hit by a car sometime before 7 a.m., according to Miami Police.
His fixed-gear bike was left crumpled next to the road, according to passersby, and the cyclist is in critical but stable condition at Ryder Trauma Center.
Miami Police Det. William Moreno says blame has yet to be determined in the collision, but the accident was "possibly not the fault of the driver." He adds the driver of the car remained at the scene to help with the investigation.
"If we could make drivers aware that if they don't leave the scene of the accident and weren't at fault, nothing bad will happen to them, that will be something positive" to take from this, Moreno says. "If they leave the scene, something minor turns into something major and they can face a felony conviction."
Miami-Dade is one of the deadliest places in the state for cyclists. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety, 12 bikers were killed and 454 injured last year in the county, up from seven deaths in 2008. Miami-Dade motorists also killed 65 pedestrians last year.
Police have not yet released the name of the cyclist involved in this morning's accident. Check back for updates.
