DOTS truck strikes cyclist

A university student sustained life-threatening injuries last night after a DOTS vehicle struck the student, who was biking along downtown roads, University Police said.

The 21-year-old male, whose name could not be released last night because his family had not yet been notified, was riding his bike on the sidewalk along Route 1 when he was struck crossing over Rossborough Lane, University Police spokesman Marc Limansky said.

The biker was traveling in the northbound direction on the north side when he was struck near Ritchie Coliseum around about 8:40 p.m., Limansky said.

The student was severely injured and taken to Washington Hospital Center last night, Limansky said. The driver of the Department of Transportations truck was not injured, he noted.

State police are investigating why the accident occurred and which party is at fault, according to Limansky.

The student's bike broke in half, and police are unsure if the DOTS vehicle sustained any damages, Limansky said.

Because of the accident, Route 1 was closed last night between Paint Branch Parkway and College Avenue, according to an information alert sent to students last night.

DOTS Director David Allen went to the scene last night but declined to comment on the specifics of the accident.

"We have our best wishes for [the student]," he said.

egan at umdbk dot com