Bicyclist injured in accident released from hospital
A Cape Coral bicyclist has been released from the hospital after colliding into a truck.
As of Tuesday, John W. Steakley Jr., 52, of 3329 S.W. Second Ave., had been discharged from Lee Memorial Hospital, where he was taken July 1 following the accident in the southwest Cape.
Steakley was riding east on El Dorado Parkway West in a marked bicycle lane, according to police. At about 5:18 p.m., Joseph P. Murphy, 67, of 506 El Dorado Parkway West, backed out of his driveway into the eastbound lane of El Dorado in a Ford F-150, then continued to travel in reverse.
Headed westbound in the eastbound lane, Murphy tried to turn south onto Southwest Fifth Avenue while still in reverse. Steakley entered the intersection at the same time, and the Ford and the bicycle collided. Police reported that the collision forced Steakley to be ejected from the bicycle.
Steakley sustained serious bodily injuries and was airlifted as a trauma-alert to the hospital, where he was treated and later released. Murphy reported no injuries and refused medical attention on scene.
Steakley was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.
According to police, Murphy stated that he saw Steakley riding and suddenly the two collided.
Steakley told police that he saw the Ford back out of the driveway and believed that the driver planned to proceed forward. As it continued reversing, Steakley was forced to make an evasive maneuver.
Police reported that Murphy was found at fault for improper backing.