Campus, News

BU student sustains injuries in motor vehicle accident

An SUV struck a female Boston University student Wednesday afternoon in East Campus.

The student was making a turn on her bicycle at the intersection of Commonwealth Avenue and Silber Way, said Boston Police Department spokesman David Estrada.

At around 12:44 p.m., officers responded to 602 Commonwealth Ave. for a report of a motor vehicle accident involving a bicyclist, Estrada said.

Estrada said the driver of the vehicle, a green sports utility vehicle, was traveling through a green traffic signal at the intersection when the student attempted to turn in front of his vehicle.

“The operator of the motor vehicle was traveling eastbound on Comm. Ave. in the left hand travel lane,” he said, “and it looks like as he went through the intersection with a green traffic signal, a bicyclist cut across his vehicle and attempted to make a left-hand turn in front of his vehicle.”

BU spokesman Colin Riley confirmed that the bicyclist was a female BU student.

Estrada said the vehicle collided with the bicycle. The student, who suffered knee, elbow and back injuries, was transported to St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center for treatment.

Estrada said the driver was interviewed by police following the accident and released.

The driver of the vehicle, who requested to remain anonymous, said he could not stop his SUV quickly enough when the cyclist cut in front of him.

“She was just driving … on her bike, I guess, I don’t know, but on the side of me, and then she just made a left right in front of my car — there’s nothing I could do to stop,” the driver, who asked to remain anonymous, said in an interview.

The driver said the student was not riding in the bicycle lane.

“She was on the side of my car, and I was in the left lane,” he said. “I have no idea what she was trying to do.”

The driver said he had no idea if the bicyclist looked behind her before she turned. This shows that filing a car crash report is crucial to know what exactly happened in the crash.

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One Comment

  1. Experienced Cyclist

    Sounds to me like this driver overcame the cyclist right as she was about to make a left turn. He was attempting to pass her rather than letting her finish her turn. Now, because she was too injured to speak, all we have is the driver’s obviously-biased account. I find this kind of journalism rather disgusting.

    This is why it’s so important to have witnesses. Alternatively, why all vehicles should come with a dashcam.