Source: Authorities say a 25-year-old driver was speeding and texting before she hit and killed a 68-year-old bicyclist in western New York two weeks ago. Niagara County Sheriff's say 68-year old Richard Webb of Newfane was riding his bicycle on Transit Road when he was struck by a 25-year-old driver who says she didn't see him. The Niagara County Sheriff's Department said Tuesday that driver distraction contributed to the accident and that charges may be filed against Alicia Westgate, also of Newfane, as a result. Both were traveling southbound shortly after noon. Westgate had two children in the back seat of her car at the time of the crash. Updated Source: A Newfane woman has been charged with texting while driving and speeding after an investigation into the crash that killed a Burt man last month as he rode his bicycle along Transit Road. Alicia Westgate, 25, was charged Tuesday with reckless operation, use of a portable device for texting, speeding and failure to use due care by the Niagara County Sheriff's Office. She will appear in Newfane Town Court on Aug. 14 to answer the charges. Westgate struck Richard L. Webb at 12:20 p.m. July 16, as both were headed south in the 1900 block of Transit Road, between Godfrey and Jockey roads.
Collision Data
Crash time: between noon and 2:59 p.m.
Closest Intersection:
Land use: Rural
Road type: Collector
Where on the road the collision happened: Road
Collision type: Rear-end
Driver Data
Vehicle type: Don't Know
At crash time driver was: Distracted
Sources
Source: News ReportType: TV
Pos/Neg: Neutral
Link if Website: http://www.wgrz.com/news/article/174867/37/Bicyclist-Dead-After-Accident-in-Newfane
Source: News Report
Type: Newspaper
Pos/Neg: Neutral
Link if Website: http://online.wsj.com/article/AP920fb724f15b4984b95ffcf9ac0d0cb2.html
Source: News Report
Type: Newspaper
Pos/Neg: Neutral
Link if Website: http://www.buffalonews.com/city/communities/niagara-county/article977352.ece
Legal Status
Legal status: MisdemeanorAgainst: Against Driver
Civil Suit filed?:
Settled?:
In favor of:
Type of Charge: speeding, texting, reckless driving and failure to use due care
Though 68 years old, Rick Webb was in excellent health and a very skilled road cyclist. His bike was till set up like a racer’s, with the saddle far above the height of his handlebars. He was still riding comfortably like that many many miles at a good clip.
The road he was killed on is flat and straight but with no shoulder. Maybe someday this will be illegal. There needs to be enough room on a road so that a cyclist is not endangering his life every time he goes out for a relaxing spin.
http://www.buffalonews.com/city/communities/niagara-county/article977352.ece
Charges have been filed.
rick was my friend a great guy he had so much more to do in his life this is so wrong alicia westgate needs to be held accountable for taking rick’s life maybe when she close her eye at night she will see my friends face and know that she took his life because she had to text rick we will miss your smile and your present your friend kathy
If you would like to say something in memory of this cyclist, or if you have any additional information about the crash, please comment here. Comments are moderated, and will appear as soon as they are approved.