YOUR AD HERE »

Officials investigate fatal vehicle vs. cyclist crash at Truckee roundabout

Kevin MacMillan
kmacmillan@sierrasun.com

TRUCKEE, Calif. – Officials are investigating a fatal vehicle vs. cyclist collision that occurred at the Central Truckee Roundabout Saturday afternoon, according to the Truckee Police Department.

The cyclist, Robert Koechlin Jr., 45, of Los Gatos, Calif., died from “major traumatic injuries” suffered in the collision with a white Dodge 3500 truck at the roundabout west of downtown, near the McIvers Crossing, said Truckee Police Sgt. Robert Womack.

Koechlin was wearing a helmet, Womack said.



Truckee Police and Truckee Fire Protection District units were dispatched Saturday afternoon to the scene, according to the initial report from TDP through the online service, Nixle, at 2:55 p.m.

Officials found several people performing first aid on the bicyclist and helping direct traffic before Truckee Fire took over life-saving efforts and transported Koechlin to Tahoe Forest Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.



While the incident is still being looked at, Womack said alcohol or drugs do not appear to be a factor on the part of the truck driver, and the initial investigation indicates the truck did not strike the bicycle.

“It’s still an active investigation,” he said. “We’re still looking for any witnesses to come forward.”

Witnesses can contact Womack at 530-550-2335.

The incident and subsequent clean-up delayed traffic for several hours Saturday.


Support Local Journalism

 

Support Local Journalism

Readers around Lake Tahoe, Truckee, and beyond make the Sierra Sun's work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.

Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.

Your donation will help us continue to cover COVID-19 and our other vital local news.