Injured Cyclist Transported to Mainland Hospital Following Collision With Truck

A Watertown man was listed in fair condition at Massachusetts General Hospital Wednesday after an accident where he became pinned under a garbage truck following a collision while he was riding his bike.

William Cress, who owns a home on Down Harbor Road in Katama, was transported to the Boston hospital by ambulance from the Martha's Vineyard Hospital Tuesday afternoon.

According to Edgartown police officer Michael Gazaille, a Bruno’s garbage truck was traveling on south on Katama Road when the driver made a left-hand turn onto a road across from Katama General Store.

The garbage truck and bike collided while Mr. Cress was riding a bike on the bike path, Officer Gazaille said. He was pinned under the truck for 15 to 20 minutes. The accident took place at about 12:45 p.m. Police later could not speak to the extent of injuries, but reports coming over the police scanner at the time of the accident indicated that Mr. Cress sustained serious injuries to his arms.

A spokesman for the Vineyard hospital later confirmed that the patient was being stabilized there. Medflight was grounded due to weather conditions and preparations were under way for a transfer by ambulance to a Boston hospital, spokesman Rachel Vanderhoop said.

The truck driver, Kevin O’Donnell from Oak Bluffs, was cited for failure to yield at an intersection, Officer Gazaille said. It appeared that Mr. O’Donnell did not see the biker coming up the bike path, he said, and the biker was likely cut off and went under the truck.

 

Comments

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 07/23/2013 - 17:25

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dennis new bedford

i did the same job on island for another company and you have to have eyes all around your head espec in the summertime lots of bike riders out there hope he is ok

Joe

You should really learn the facts before thinking you know what your are talking about. How is a back up camera going to help a truck diving forward. Think before you talk just saying

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 07/23/2013 - 18:57

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Susanne Rhode Island

Stupid comment by David..don't place judgement if you weren't even there. Driving on MV in the summer is crazy and it's not always the driver of the vehicle at fault. Pedestrians and bicyclists need to be responsible and just as cautious.

Amy Katama

You are joking, right? A biker on a bike path needs to be more responsible of a truck that turns into a bike path and plows him over. Seriously? It's a bike path. There are hundreds of bikes on that path all day long. The driver was totally negligent. I live in Katama and i know, as those who were there know. You are the one with the stupid shameful comment.

Joan

Were you there? Truck did not hit bike. Everyone is equally responsible and who are you to place judgement. This is a hard situation for both parties involved. Pray for those involved rather than casting stones.

Submitted by debbie.frio@gm… (not verified) on Tue, 07/23/2013 - 19:32

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Deb F Edgartown, Ma

As drivers on the island during the Summer we have to be mindful to look at the oncoming traffic as well as traffic on the bikepaths before making any turns. It takes a little extra thought, but could save a life.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 07/23/2013 - 19:42

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Frank

Back up cameras would not have helped in this situation as driver was in forward motion. Also maybe bicyclists should pay more attention to their surroundings. Placing blame doesn't help solve anything. Accidents are accidents ..this happens every year and both parties involved hurt over this. Too many people on the Island in the summer and everyone needs to take responsibility.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 07/23/2013 - 20:29

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Bobby

For many of you that may not know the papers info is wrong the truck did not hit the biker. Infact the biker hit the truck making the turn. Take it from me i was driving by as it happened. You people are always so quick to judge before you have the true facts leave the poor driver alone and just pray for a quick recovery of the biker. Thats why they are called accidents.

Mike

The truck turned across a heavily traveled bike lane. Since when do trucks have right of way? I wasn't there, but are you actually suggesting it is the bikers fault? That is beyond outrageous. Let's pray he is ok. A huge tragedy.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 07/23/2013 - 22:32

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Sonia MV

You all should think before you speak. One it should be up the the biker to look out for cars too. And think how do you think Kevin is feeling right now. Why can't you people be thoughtfull

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 07/23/2013 - 23:21

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islander VH

There's no such thing as an accident if you are properly trained as a truck driver. You must be aware of your surroundings at all times. Crossing a bike path is a very dangerous situation and you must be aware of your surroundings at all times. It would be very rare for this incident to be anything but driver error.

Native

Are you properly trained as a driver and saying an accident like this couldn't happen to you! If you are a true Islander, you know how conjested the Island gets each summer. Would everyone be so judgemental if it was a car involved in the accident rather than a truck. Never think that this unfortunate accident couldn't happen to anyone of us. Hence, this is why they are accidents.

dicky d

agree anyone I dont care how trained you are can make an error. I've been here 30 years and still go whew when I see a cyclist coming out of nowhere in my passenger side mirror and ih btw they the cyclists are usually not looking assuming that the driver sees all. more responsibility all around including the cyclist

Native

Are you properly trained as a driver and saying an accident like this couldn't happen to you! If you are a true Islander, you know how conjested the Island gets each summer. Would everyone be so judgemental if it was a car involved in the accident rather than a truck. Never think that this unfortunate accident couldn't happen to anyone of us. Hence, this is why they are accidents.

Islander VH

Yes I am trained and train drivers on proper safety techniques. Unavoidable accidents are very rare. I have never seen one in my 30 yrs of experience. If you are traveling at a safe speed, looking at your mirrors every 5 seconds, coming to a complete stop before turning and looking left, right , left again you will not be involved in a preventable accident. How could a driver look in both directions before crossing this bike path and not see the oncoming bicyclist? He didn't look and he is to blame.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 07/23/2013 - 23:41

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Rob

accidents are inevitable...just the way it is and its obviously always the biker/pedestrian that gets the brunt of it. chance you take when you get on the bike

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 07/24/2013 - 00:26

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Andy Down Harbor

Instead of finger pointing and trying to figure out who is to blame, people should be placing their energies wishing a speedy and full recovery for Bill Cress. That is all that matters at this point. He is a great guy, and a terrific friend, with an extraordinary heart and goodness to him. Lets focus all the light towards his well being.

Joan

I totally agree with you Andy. I wish everyone had your sense of being. Life is too short to blame and everyone should send their wishes for a full and speedy recovery to Bill.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 07/24/2013 - 07:21

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Katama1

This has nothing to do with the accident, but have you ever witnessed the speed Bruno's trash trucks travel around this island? It will make the hair on the back of your neck stand up. Not to mention the taxi drivers. SLOW DOWN!! I don't give a bleep about how many trash pickups you have to do, or how many travelers need to be at the ferry on time for thier departure.
This tragedy is awful and most likely could have been prevented if we all just SLOW DOWN!!!!

Bobby

O ok so its only Brunos and taxi's that drive fast? There has been a number of accidents this summer where the taxi was not a fault and the speeding car was so maybe think about that. Also speed wasnt even a factor in this accident so maybe you should just keep your coments to yourself there are people hurting from this and dont need that kind of negitive feedback

John

I find it unfair for you to call out other drivers for speeding when I from a general perspective doubt that you have never broken the speed limits on the island. Also more often than not, speaking from experience, big trucks will appear to be going faster than they are do to their size. Many people will tell you to slow down when in fact you are only doing the speed limit.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 07/24/2013 - 11:07

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EL7 Katama

Also not related to this particular accident, but check out the speeding nearby on Herring Creek Road along the bike path. Posted limit is 35 mph, average in either direction is probably 50 on the straightaway, rushing to or from Right Fork. Runners, bikers, walkers, lots of children a few feet to the side of the speed demons and no rail. It is going to happen........... PS I am here year round and this is not simply a summer visitor issue, in fact it is worse off season. Katama1 is correct about Bruno's but they are not the only commercial trucks flying around.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 07/24/2013 - 14:39

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Joan

As previously stated, let's all stop the bashing on the driver and Bruno's. There is not one person that can honestly say they have never gone over the speed limit. Drop all this harrassing and stick to praying for the people involved in this tragic accident.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 07/24/2013 - 15:53

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Teri

10 days ago, I was riding my bike on bike path @ triangle, and a car pulled across the bike path without pausing - I hit my brakes - landed in the ER with broken ribs and sprained arm. I was being careful. As a driver, I always pause at bike path crossings and never trust that cyclists ride defensively - we all have to ride and drive defensively!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 07/24/2013 - 17:52

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Tom Piner

This was truly an horrific accident. I was there, I took my shirt off to help Bill's bleeding. My prayers go to his speedy recovery. I also pray that Kevin's anguish will go away as well. Both men will have scars that will be there for a life time.
Trying to navigate the Island is very hazardous and sometimes a small misjudgment can have catastrophic results.
We all need to slow down and be much more courteous to all others that occupy the roads, bike paths and cross walks.
I'm still shaking from the events that I witnessed yesterday, please stop pointing fingers and reach out a helping hand.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 07/24/2013 - 18:23

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ONVACAMV

Unless you were there and witnessed this accident first hand, you should keep your comments at bay regarding the driver of this truck. I witnessed this accident first hand, it was horrific and the driver of the truck was NOT at fault! I wish peace upon the driver Kevin, your reaction to what happened I will never forget. Mr. Cress I wish you a quick recovery, I prayed so hard after seeing this accident and truly believe God heard my prayers!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 07/24/2013 - 18:48

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dan vh

Bicyclists on this Island are a problem for motor vehicle traffic. From riding the wrong way down one way roads, to their arrogance of thinking they own the roads. A bicyclist must obey all traffic rules. That includes stopping at stop signs. I hope the bicyclist is OK but I also hope other bicyclist take a lesson from this incident; you are human beings responsible for your own safety.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 07/24/2013 - 22:22

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Katherine OB

Please, those of you who have commented in a negative way, remember that this is a trauma for two families. I only pray that the physical and emotional injury heals for all involved. Support Kevin and his family, and Mr. Cress and his family with prayer and positive thoughts, not with harsh judgement. "There, but for the grace of God, go I".

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 07/25/2013 - 08:49

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Joan

In response to Islanders latest bashing on the driver. Unless you were sitting in the truck with him, you have no idea. Why don't you use your time for something more productive and hope that something like this never happens to you. Let's end your negative attitude and let these families move on.

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