Man dies after losing control of bicycle in west Phoenix

PHOENIX — A male bicyclist died Saturday evening in west Phoenix after losing control of his bike and being struck by a large vehicle.

Phoenix Officer James Holmes said 57-year-old Rubin Pina Herrera was traveling westbound on the north sidewalk of Buckeye Road near 24th Avenue around 4 p.m. when he swerved to avoid hitting a telephone pole. Holmes said Herrera lost control of his bike, fell into the roadway and struck the side of a semi-truck that was traveling west on Buckeye Road in the curb lane.

Herrera suffered serious head trauma, Holmes said, and he was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. The Phoenix Police Vehicular Crimes Unit was called to the scene Saturday evening, Holmes said.

Holmes added that the driver of the truck remained at the scene and was evaluated, but officers found no indications of impairment.