Bicyclist Struck By Road Rage Suspect, Police Search For Driver
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (CBS4)- A bicyclist has shelved his plans for a triathlon this summer after he was injured when a driver intentionally struck him last week.
Triathlon athlete Max Bennett was ready to turn pro this summer when he was struck by a road rage suspect and broke his wrist.
Bennett, 20, was riding along Colorado Avenue and 12th Street in Colorado Springs last week when an angry driver started following him.
"The driver came up next to me and started yelling and getting very angry," said Bennett. "He was telling me to get off the road, that I need to be on the sidewalk, that I was blocking traffic."
Bennett told police the driver, described as a man in his 30s, followed him for several blocks, harassing him and even trying to pin him against a car.
"I just kept waving him on and telling him to keep driving," said Bennett.
But that only seemed to anger the driver more and he swerved into Bennett and struck his bike, causing Bennett to hit a curb which sent him flying over the handlebars. The driver sped off.
Bennett can't ride his bicycle with a broken wrist so he's riding a stationary bike until his wrist heals.
"I'm just happy that I came out alive," said Bennett.
Police said the driver is a man in his 30s with light brown hair, about 180 to 200 pounds, driving a maroon Jeep Grand Cherokee. Two other drivers who witnessed the attack were able to get a partial license plate.
Anyone with information about the road rage incident is asked to call Colorado Springs Police at (719) 444-7000.
Springs Police say cyclists have the same rights as motor vehicles. In fact, state law says drivers must allow at least three feet between their vehicle and the bicyclist.
