19-Year-Old Charged after Hitting and Injuring Bicyclist

A 19-year-old girl has been charged with leaving the scene of an accident with serious injury after crashing into a bicyclist on U.S. Highway 98 and fleeing. According to the Pensacola News Journal, 31-year-old Nicholas Medina was riding his bicycle eastbound near College Parkway when he was struck from behind by a car driven by Debi Marie Cummings. Medina is currently in fair condition at Baptist Hospital. Cummings and Medina are both from Gulf Breeze, Florida.

Medina was left lying in the turn lane on his back and side and was not found by witnesses until around 40 minutes after the accident.

According the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), Medina’s head and shoulders hit the upper windshield of the Chevrolet Cruze and the bicycle was run over by Cummings. The girl fled the scene of the accident, but was later found. Medina was left lying in the turn lane on his back and side and was not found by witnesses until around 40 minutes after the accident. It is believed that the crash occurred at around 3am on Sunday morning. Cummings has been charged with leaving the scene of an accident with serious bodily injury, among other charges, and is free on $10,000 bond.

These tragic circumstances only further illustrate the common occurrences of both hit-and-run accidents and crashes between automobiles and bicycles. Though many efforts have been undertaken within states and nationwide, bicycle crashes remain a serious problem in communities around the country. Accidents between vehicles and bicycles can be catastrophic for the cyclist, as they are particularly vulnerable on the road.

If you or a loved one is injured while riding a bicycle, contact an experienced accident attorney for a free consultation. You may be able to pursue compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.