Elderly Man Struck by Big Pickup While Cycling

[ORIGINAL STORY]

An elderly bicyclist suffered major injuries Friday morning when he was struck by a large pickup truck on Calle Real. The 88-year-old was riding his bicycle near San Mateo Avenue at 6:30 a.m. when the GMC 2500 veered off the road and into the bicycle lane. The driver, a 33-year-old Goleta man, told investigators he had taken his eyes off the road for a short time. The Sheriff’s Office said he was not arrested as drugs or alcohol “were not suspected of being a factor.” The older man was taken to the hospital, and details on his condition were not available. This story will be updated as new information comes in.

[UPDATE: Sept. 26, 3:30 p.m.] Roman Paredes, 88, was riding a three-wheeled bike on his usual morning ride Friday morning when Daniel Gruetzmacher hit him with his truck while driving to work. Paredes was taken off life support on Saturday and died. The Sheriff’s Major Accident Response Team is examining the accident and has so far determined cell phone use is not a factor. The investigation results will go to the District Attorney’s Office to see if misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter charges are appropriate.