Cyclist in accident is an MU student
Published Oct. 31, 2006
Sophomore Nathan Halbach was driving home from Wal-Mart Sunday night when his vehicle collided with a passing bicyclist at William and Anthony streets.
The bicyclist was identified as junior Aurora Chamberlain in a news release from the Columbia Police Department.
"I was in shock when it happened," Halbach said.
Halbach said the bicyclist was propelled onto the windshield of his car.
Columbia police Sgt. Timothy Moriarity said he checked the bicycle rider for identification at the time of the accident but that she had none on her.
Halbach said paramedics arrived shortly after the accident at 9:24 p.m. and transported her to University Hospital.
According to a Columbia Police Department news release, Chamberlain was in critical condition and was unable to talk to medical personnel, though her condition had improved by Monday afternoon.
Halbach, who was traveling south on William Street, said he did not see Chamberlain coming. She was traveling east on Anthony Street.
Halbach said he believes she came down a hill and ran through the stop sign. Halbach did not have a stop sign to obey.
"When you have a cyclist, they need to act like a motorist and stop at stop signs," Moriarity said.
Halbach said both he and the paramedics tried communicating with Chamberlain, but she couldn't speak. He said she was screaming at one point but could not communicate with anyone.
Moriarity said officers questioned Halbach at the scene and performed a field-sobriety test. Moriarity said that though the results of the test had not come in at press time, he does not think alcohol was a factor.
Halbach said he had not been drinking that night.
University Hospital officials were unable to comment on Chamberlain's condition because when they were contacted Monday afternoon, she had yet to be identified.
Moriarity said that the intersection of William and Anthony streets is dark, but that the lack of lighting at any intersection can cause accidents.
The accident is pending further investigation, and there have been no charges filed against Halbach.