No charges filed against driver after cyclist hit
CAUTION URGED: In the past five years, seven pedestrians or cyclists have died on Wharton County roadways following collisions with motor vehicles.
By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com

No charges will be filed against an El Campo woman whose pickup struck a cyclist on New Year's Eve, according to the El Campo Police Department.

Driver inattention, however, did play a factor in the 2 p.m. collision in the 100 block of South Mechanic, Police Chief Jim Elliott said Monday.

"Cyclists, pedestrians and motor vehicles sharing the roadway have the potential for a dangerous combination," he said. "Most motorists are not conscious of cyclists and pedestrians. They are looking for motor vehicles."

That may have played a factor in the pickup/bicycle collision.

The cyclist - a 40-year-old El Campo deaf/mute - suffered two broken ribs in the low speed impact.

As a safety precaution, he was flown to the trauma center at Houston's Memorial Hermann Hospital that afternoon.

The pickup truck driver didn't yield to him, the chief said.

"Cyclists and pedestrians have the right of way under certain conditions," Elliott said. "Motor vehicles are required to yield to them."

But yielding isn't a guarantee, the chief said, adding he urges both to exercise care.

"Cyclists and pedestrians should always be defensive. They cannot assume the motorist sees them," he said.

Those traveling El Campo streets are urged to wear bright clothing during the day and white clothing and reflective materials at night, and obey the traffic laws.

"Cyclists and pedestrians may be cited for traffic law violations the same as motorist," Elliott added.

The goal is public safety.

"Several years ago, two pedestrians and one cyclist were killed in traffic crashes with a motor vehicle in a short period," he said.

The last auto/pedesterian fatality in El Campo occurred Dec. 16, 2005.