Police talk to witnesses after collision on Bernard Avenue that killed a cyclist. Photographer: John McDonald

Kelowna cyclist dies after collision with car door

KELOWNA – A local cyclist has succumbed to injuries she suffered when someone opened a car door in front of her bike.

Patricia Keenan, 38, was cycling behind a friend on Bernard Avenue Tuesday evening, July 14, just past Ethel Street when the incident happened.

Police say Keenan was wearing a helmet but the force of the collision caused a serious head injury. She was rushed to Kelowna General Hospital and died two days later.

RCMP spokesman Const. Steve Holmes says the investigation continues and he advises motorists to be wary of cyclists approaching from behind.

“When you park parallel to roadway, please take the time to check in your side view mirror for approaching vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists before you exit your vehicle," he says in a media release.

To contact the reporter for this story, email John McDonald at jmcdonald@infonews.ca or call 250-808-0143. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.

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2 responses

  1. Rob Reid

    cyclists should be very aware of people opening their doors. Like perhaps slow down would be a good start. Way to many cyclists don’t seem to know the rules or follow them as I witness daily as they ride side by side of Naramata road……just saying. This incident is very sad indeed so perhaps cyclist with little protection should be extra vigilant with their own safety.

  2. Judy Dingman

    very sad but my god how fast was she going.

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John McDonald

John began life as a journalist through the Other Press, the independent student newspaper for Douglas College in New Westminster. The fluid nature of student journalism meant he was soon running the place, learning on the fly how to publish a newspaper.

It wasn’t until he moved to Kelowna he broke into the mainstream media, working for Okanagan Sunday, then the Kelowna Daily Courier and Okanagan Saturday doing news graphics and page layout. He carried on with the Kelowna Capital News, covering health and education while also working on special projects, including the design and launch of a mass market daily newspaper. After 12 years there, John rejoined the Kelowna Daily Courier as editor of the Westside Weekly, directing news coverage as the Westside became West Kelowna.

But digital media beckoned and John joined Kelowna.com as assistant editor and reporter, riding the start-up as it at first soared then went down in flames. Now John is turning dirt as city hall reporter for iNFOnews.ca where he brings his long experience to bear on the civic issues of the day.

If you have a story you think people should know about, email John at jmcdonald@infonews.ca

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