Beaverton bicyclist killed; police still searching for answers | People

BEAVERTON, Ore. -- Police have identified the bicyclist who was killed Saturday in Beaverton.

Beaverton resident Michael Brett Lewis, 47, died in the operating room of Emanuel Hospital after he was involved in a collision with a car.

Beaverton police responded to an accident at 6:43 p.m. Saturday at the intersection of Southwest Tualaway Avenue and Southwest TV Highway in Beaverton. Officers arrived and learned that Lewis was on a bicycle in the west-bound curb lane of TV Hwy had been struck from behind by a vehicle, also traveling west-bound in the curb lane. Lewis was treated at the scene by rescue personnel and quickly transported to Emanuel Hospital, but later died. 

Police were able to determine through numerous witness accounts that Lewis was stopped in the west-bound curb lane. It is unknown why Lewis was stopped in the traffic lane. There was no traffic backed up or any other impediments that would cause Lewis to be stopped in the middle of the lane, police said. There is a bike lane to the right and along the curb of the traffic lane. Lewis had a functioning red light on the rear of the bike but was not wearing a helmet.

The driver of the vehicle that struck the bicyclist told police he was west-bound on TV Hwy in the curb lane and did not see the bicyclist until it was too late. He told police that Lewis was stopped on his bike in the middle of the traffic lane. The driver also said he tried to swerve to the left to avoid striking Lewis, but it was too late and he ended up hitting Lewis with the right side of his car. Police said the driver's account of the events were consistent with the damage to the vehicle, a Toyota Prius. The driver, police said, showed no signs of intoxication or any other impairment and voluntarily responded to the hospital for a blood draw for drugs and alcohol testing.

The lighting and weather conditions are believed to be a factor in the inability to see Lewis stopped in the traffic lane. It is not anticipated that the driver of the vehicle will be cited, police said.