‘It’s always heartbreaking’: Officials share safety message after bicyclist killed in Chesterfield

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — A 47-year-old man died Thursday morning after a Jeep hit him on Route 1 in Chesterfield County.

The morning of Thursday, Sept. 26, 8News arrived at the scene and saw 47-year-old Allen D. Wood’s bike resting on a bed of grass by the Snow White Motel. The Chesterfield County man died at the scene after a black Jeep Wrangler hit him.

The Chesterfield County Police Department said that the investigation into this incident is in its early stages, so the cause of the crash has yet to be determined.

Sergeant Richard Upton said it was a heavy morning for everyone involved.

“It’s always heartbreaking when we notify the families in these incidences,” Upton said.

Officials confirmed that both Wood and the driver of the Jeep were moving in the same direction when the crash took place around 6:30 a.m. Thursday morning.

Chesterfield residents told 8News that it was still dark outside, so officials reminded drivers of the importance of paying extra close attention on the road, especially when visibility is at all obscured.

Upton added that bicyclists and pedestrians should do what they can to make themselves more visible, especially at dawn and dusk and during the night. Bicyclists can install reflectors or lights on their bikes — a white one in the front and a red one in the back is best practice. At least the white one should be visible up to 500 or 600 feet, according to Upton.

The site where the crash occurred is largely surrounded by warehouses and motels, but Upton told 8News that it attracts a lot of bicyclists and pedestrians. He said it’s crucial that drivers understand the laws of sharing a road.

“Be mindful that, to pass a bicyclist … it has to be done at a reasonably safe speed [and] they have to give it at least three feet when they’re passing a bicycle,” Upton said.

Upton said that the Jeep’s driver is cooperating with the investigation. Investigators have not yet determined whether or not factors like speed, distracted driving or alcohol are involved.

However, Upton shared a general safety message to the public.

“The concern is always distracted drivers,” Upton said. “The pedestrians, the bicyclists … [they] don’t have a very large footprint, so the vehicle in front of you may be blocking your view. So it’s just a matter of being aware of your surroundings.”

Officials told 8News that the next step in the investigative process is to recreate the scene and try to figure out exactly what happened. All of this must be done before investigators can determine whether or not charges will be filed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRIC ABC 8News.