By Dave Iltis
Lehi, Utah – At 6 am, on March 12, 2014, John Coons, 35, of Herriman and Bryan Byrge, 39, of Riverton were struck and killed by a pickup truck as they were attempting to turn left (east) onto 2100 North as they traveled southbound on Redwood Road according to Lt. Darren Paul of the Lehi Police Department. The pickup truck, a Ford F-150, was traveling northbound on Redwood. While it’s not clear at this time how fast the pickup was traveling, the posted speed limit is 55 mph according to Lt. Paul.
The impact occurred in the middle of the two northbound lanes on Redwood. There are marked bicycle lanes on Redwood in this area, but the cyclists were turning, and hence not in the lanes. When asked if drugs or alchohol played a factor, Lt. Paul said, “We don’t suspect that it played a factor.”
A complete investigation is taking place with the Utah Highway Patrol performing an accident reconstruction with Lehi traffic investigators. Toxicology tests are also being performed as a matter of course given the severity of the accident. The report on the accident should be available in 7-10 days. The cyclists likely died on impact according to Lt. Paul, “it was very severe.” The intersection has not had any accidents of that severity said Lt. Paul.
The two friends lived in the same neighborhood, and were both commuting to work in Utah County from Salt Lake County when the crash occurred.
Each cyclist left behind a wife and children.
Bryan Byrge completed the 2011 Lotoja for the Huntsman Hometown Heroes Team.
There will be a memorial ride on March 14, 2014 at noon, leaving from Lifetime Fitness, 10996 S. River Front Parkway, South Jordan, UT 84095. The ride will be approximately 20 miles and is a no drop ride.
If you would like to contribute to their memorial fund to help their families, please visit:
https://www.facebook.com/bryanandjohn
