Bicyclist at fault in fatal car collision

Karen Zekan

Thursday, March 26, 1998 | 10:27 a.m.

Metro Police have determined that a 16-year-old bicyclist was apparently under the influence of alcohol when he rode into traffic and was killed in one of two fatal auto accidents involving bicycles this week.

Navor Roydeen Valdez of Las Vegas died about 8:30 p.m. Tuesday on Cheyenne Avenue, west of Michael Way, when he was hit by a pickup while riding his low-rider style bicycle.

Investigators said Valdez was riding against traffic, heading west along Cheyenne in the right eastbound lane near the curb when for unknown reasons he turned right and attempted to cross the eastbound lanes.

Valdez's head hit the passenger side of an oncoming 1984 Nissan pickup, killing him, police said. The truck's driver, Eugene Richard Bigay, 45, of Doylestown, Pa., reported no injuries.

Police, who have learned that Valdez had been drinking alcohol prior to the accident, are blaming the bicyclist's error for the tragedy, according to a department statement. The accident remains under investigation.

Two hours earlier in Henderson, a 7-year-old girl also was hit by a car while riding her bike and died later at University Medical Center.

The youngster, whose name has been withheld until relatives are notified, was hit by an older model Ford passenger car while riding along Pacific Avenue near Montana Street about 6:20 p.m.

Details of the accident and the name of the Ford's driver were not available.

No charges have been filed in connection with the case, which remains under investigation.