Northern California - Bike vs car crash on Mount Diablo 5-21-11. Witnesses?

Hey y'all, I was hit by a car while I descended mount diablo yesterday. It was a blind right hand turn, and the guy was passing another cyclist going up and he was all the way in the left lane when I came around the corner. Any of you on here happen to be there after I went down? Frame, rear wheel, and rear derailleur are totalled, and I can't walk on my right leg. Hospital says really bad muscle bruise. Just trying to find some witnesses if I need them... Thanks!

the other cyclist didn't catch the description of the vehicle? I find it hard to believe that the police can't block off both the north and south gate before the driver can get away.

He didn't get away, he stopped, and I have his name and number. No insurance though... I was too out of it to gran all that. Just wondering if anyone on here saw it if I need witness statements.

Hey y'all, I was hit by a car while I descended mount diablo yesterday. It was a blind right hand turn, and the guy was passing another cyclist going up and he was all the way in the left lane when I came around the corner. Any of you on here happen to be there after I went down? Frame, rear wheel, and rear derailleur are totalled, and I can't walk on my right leg. Hospital says really bad muscle bruise. Just trying to find some witnesses if I need them... Thanks!


Sorry to hear that. Heal up fast. From personal experience last year getting back on a bike, trainer, and doing easy spinning helps with recovery. Hmm, your username sound strangely familiar.


the other cyclist didn't catch the description of the vehicle? I find it hard to believe that the police can't block off both the north and south gate before the driver can get away.

I am sure I'll catch a lot of flack for it, but ... Police doesn't really give a crap.

Why don't the park rangers warn cars about this at the entrance? It's a zoo there on the weekends with cars/bikes...

I'll bet it was the corner we know as Clavicle Cracker. NorthGate Road just below Diablo Ranch. It's happened way too many times, there should be a "no passing cyclists" sign there, but in the mean time, it'd be a good idea to assume there's always a Hummer in the wrong lane when you come around that corner.

I came down that way about 10:30 and didn't see anything.
Stay healthy and heal fast buddy.

This was a little ways above the junction, at around 1:00 pm.

There's not a recent descent from Diablo I haven't had to yell at some dummy who did exactly what happened to you. I mean you really have to be dumb and stupidly impatient to pass cyclists in blind corners. It's getting so bad that I do not take any chance now and take a half-dozen of these sharp turns very very slowly anticipating a car might be in my lane.
Last week it even happened on Canyon Road out of Moraga towards Pinehurst. An older ladies passed a group of cyclists while I was coming the other way, no blind corner, she could see me on the straight road but still decided she needed to take the whole lane I was on and only left me a bit more than a yard to squeeze by.

Hope you heal fast!

I hope I heal fast too... but the bike is the real issue. Frame's done, rear wheels is done, the rear der might be done as well. Honestly can't get up to examine too much, but hopefully thats all.

Did the police even come to the scene? A police report with a witness (the other cyclist) would at least make small claims court a slam dunk. Wouldn't help much if the guy has no money, but you might get something out of it.

Sounds like no police, however. I would go to whomever has jurisdiction and get something on record.

Did the police even come to the scene? A police report with a witness (the other cyclist) would at least make small claims court a slam dunk. Wouldn't help much if the guy has no money, but you might get something out of it.

Sounds like no police, however. I would go to whomever has jurisdiction and get something on record.

well if hes got a vehicle theres still something to take...

He didn't get away, he stopped, and I have his name and number. No insurance though... I was too out of it to gran all that. Just wondering if anyone on here saw it if I need witness statements.

Wait, you mean he didn't have insurance or you just didn't ask for it?

Sorry to hear about your accident and I hope you heal quickly. You need a good attorney right away. And something tells me that attorney will tell you not to post a lot of details or admissions about the accident or the extent of your injuries on a public forum...

On the flip side I got passed by at least 3 people flying down the descent on the far left of the oncoming lane. Perfect lines on a closed road. There's no place for this bs on Diablo...especially on a busy weekend.

So sorry for your accident--I too often see drivers cut through blind corners on Diablo or other narrow roads.

Recently I started using a bright flashing white in front and red lights in the back--yes it looks geeky even goofy but it seems to help some! Particularly when being passed as well as in heavy traffic and on coming traffic making turns--of course it does not help in blind curves.

I was even thanked once by a motorist coming down Tunitas as I was coming up!

As a last resort I may get a air horn--although way too big but I would save my voice!

His insurance should cover your bike. They generally just pay you MSRP of your bike, or one similarly equipped. They mainly want to avoid the medical payouts, since they are the most costly. Bikes, they pay for without a fuss.

If you don't have his insurance, call you car insurance, they can usually figure that stuff out for you.

the other cyclist didn't catch the description of the vehicle? I find it hard to believe that the police can't block off both the north and south gate before the driver can get away.

I find it hard to believe that the police would even care - I mean, it's "just a cyclist" and we're "road hazards", right? More often I keep seeing reports like this in which the police will do the bare minimum if anything in situations like this.

hope the bruise goes away quickly and insurance replaces your ride. here's to healing!