In the heart of the Loop, in the teeth of the evening rush the driver of a Nissan SUV attempted a u-turn in front of a Chicago bicycle messenger causing a crash. The incident took place just after 6:00 p.m. near 70 South Franklin on May 8th. The driver had parked or stopped his 2002 Nissan XTerra SUV along the curb of northbound Franklin before attempting to swing the vehicle to the left in an apparent effort to get into the southbound lane. At the same time a 26 year old female bike messenger who had just finished her 11 hour shift was making her way back home in the right lane of Franklin. Despite being an experienced city cyclist, the abrupt absurdity of the Nissan's maneuver surprised her and she was unable to avoid striking the truck.
The impact was hard and left the cyclist laying in the street, rush hour traffic cruising past her. Shocked, she quickly became aware of a sticky wetness on her face. The impact had opened a large gash on her forehead and she was bleeding. Nearby pedestrians urged her out of the street. Someone called 911. An ambulance arrived and took her to Northwestern Memorial Hospital nearby. Police cited the driver for "negligent driving," pursuant to Chicago Municipal Ordinance 9-40-140.
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