Sarasota County Sheriff's vehicle in fatal crash with bicyclist

OSPREY — An investigation is underway after a young woman was struck by a Sarasota County Sheriff’s vehicle while riding her bicycle late Thursday and later died of her injuries.

According to a news release from Florida Highway Patrol, a 25-year-old North Port man was driving the sports utility vehicle about 11:38 p.m. Thursday.

Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office stated in a news release early Friday that the vehicle was an on-duty Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office vehicle.

FHP stated a 22-year-old Osprey woman was riding a bicycle at the same time.

It noted the Sheriff’s Office vehicle and driver were northbound on U.S. 41/Tamiami Trail.

The woman traveled across U.S. 41/Tamiami Trail at Bay Street from the east side to the west side. The SUV struck the bicyclist, the news release stated.

She suffered critical injuries and was transported to Sarasota Memorial Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. She was not wearing a helmet, the report noted.

“The deputy, who was initially responding to a call for service in a patrol vehicle, immediately stopped to provide aid to the victim,” Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office stated in an updated news release. “Additional deputies arrived and provided life-saving efforts, however, the female succumbed to her injuries at the scene. The deputy was uninjured.

The initial report did not disclose the speed of the SUV, if its lights were on or other details.

“The investigation remains underway,” the FHP report stated.