Bike Fatality on A1A in Fort Lauderdale

By Thomas Francis Tue., Sep. 1 2009 at 12:37 PM

Categories: Breaking News, Broward

Photo: Google Maps

The Fort Lauderdale intersection that was the site of a traffic fatality early this morning

A 59-year-old man was struck and killed by a car just after midnight today on A1A in Fort Lauderdale, according to a police department news release.

Daniel Colotte was riding a bicycle north at the 1100 block of A1A near the Bahia Cabana and Yankee Clipper hotel at around 12:17. The release:

Investigators have learned that a 1999 White Mercedes Benz, operated by Melinda O'Donnell, was driving northbound on State Road A1A approaching the 1100 block. The victim was operating a bicycle also northbound on State Road A1A in the 1100 block. The Mercedes collided with the bicyclist. The bicyclist was transported to Broward General Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased. A DUI investigation was initiated on O'Donnell. Charges are pending on O'Donnell and the investigation is on-going.

There is a bike lane where the accident occurred, but it's a bit narrower on that part of A1A. Personally, I tend to steer my own bike into the adjacent parking lot, provided there isn't too much foot traffic there -- and that's during the day. It's even more dangerous during the night.