Woman on bicycle struck, killed by car

Jen Lawson

Thursday, May 20, 2004 | 11:01 a.m.

A woman was struck by a car and killed Wednesday night while riding a bicycle in a crosswalk at the intersection of U.S. 95 and Boulder Highway but the motorist will not be charged, the Nevada Highway Patrol said.

The victim has been identified by the coroner's office as 45-year-old Donna J. Kline of Las Vegas.

The collision happened shortly before 11 p.m. Trooper John Cunag said the driver was making a right turn from Boulder Highway onto 95 north when Kline crossed Boulder Highway in front of the car. There are no traffic lights and no stop signs at the intersection.

Troopers this morning were unable to say whether Kline was wearing reflective clothing or a helmet.

But Cunag said the driver will not be prosecuted in connection with the collision.

Kline was in a marked crosswalk but she is considered at fault because bicycles are considered vehicles under state law and must be walked in crosswalks, he said.

"All bicyclists have to obey the same laws as cars," he said, adding that it would be like a car driving across an intersection in front of oncoming traffic or a car driving onto a sidewalk.

Metro Police encountered a similar case in March when a 13-year-old boy riding his bike in a crosswalk was struck and injured by a car.

Police initially determined the boy was partially at fault for the collision for riding in the crosswalk and said the driver probably wouldn't be charged.

Police later cited the driver for not paying attention while driving because she allegedly was answering a ringing cell phone when the collision occurred.