Case # 19-009910                                           VEHICLE VS BICYCLIST

Date: 12/12/2019

On 12/12/2019, 27-year-old Austin Latham called the Milwaukie Police to report a vehicle vs. bicycle crash he was involved in on, 12/10/2019.

The investigating officer learned that on 12/10/2019 at approximately 5:00 pm, Mr. Latham was riding his bicycle north-bound on the bike path along SE 17th Avenue and collided with a gray Kia Sol in the crosswalk of SE 17th Avenue and SE Lava Drive, an intersection within the City of Milwaukie.   

Mr. Latham provided the investigating officer with contact information for the driver of the Kia Sol as well as a witness’s phone number. Mr. Latham informed the investigating officer that he went to the hospital the following day with complaints of pain in his left arm and side. Mr. Latham also reported his bicycle may be damaged due to the crash.

Police contacted 29-year-old Evan Melgren, the driver of the Kia Sol. Mr. Melgren explained he was driving south-bound on SE 17th Avenue and turned west onto SE Lava Drive before his vehicle was struck by Mr. Latham and his bicycle. Mr. Melgren told police that Mr. Latham “came out of nowhere” and was travelling at a fast pace when he crashed into the rear driver’s side quarter panel of the Kia Sol. Mr. Melgren told police there were only scuff marks on his vehicle due to the crash, which he said wiped off.  

Police contacted the witness, 56-year-old Todd Sonflieth. Mr. Sonflieth told police he was riding his bicycle south-bound on the bike path just prior to the intersection of SE 17th Avenue and SE Lava Drive. Mr. Sonflieth told police he saw Mr. Latham fail to stop at the posted stop sign on the bike path, prior to entering the intersection, and crashing into Mr. Melgren’s vehicle.

No citations have been issued at this time.