Bicyclist dead after crash in Fresno County

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Friday, February 20, 2015
Bicyclist dead after crash in Fresno County
The California Highway Patrol is investigating a crash that killed a man along a popular spot for bicyclists in Fresno County.

FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- A bicyclist killed Thursday night after being hit by a car has been identified by the coroner's office. Nick Bukilica, 52, was riding his mountain bike when he was struck by a 16-year-old driving a Mercedes.

CHP officers returned to the crash scene Friday to look for evidence. Investigators say the teen driver had the right of way, but they're looking into how fast he was traveling. Officers say it appears he was exceeding the 55 mile an hour speed limit. Friends say Bukilica was an avid bicyclist. He sometimes stopped by Tri Sport bike shop.

Tri Sport manager James Griffith said, "The type of bike that he was actually on would be more in the mountain bike form, but it was designed for the street you can see by the tires, you can see. So he was a rider of the road."

Investigators say the crash happened before 6:00 Thursday evening. Officers say the car was headed south while the bicyclist has headed north when he turned into the path of the car.