Police identify bicyclist killed in East Austin crash
AUSTIN, Texas — Police have identified the woman killed Thursday night after her bicycle collided with another vehicle.
It happened at around 9 p.m. on East MLK Jr. Blvd. just east of I-35.
Austin-Travis County EMS said an adult woman was transported with CPR in progress to Dell Seton Medical Center.
A spokesperson for the Austin Police Department said she died from her injuries at the hospital at around 9:30 p.m. She has been identified as 28-year-old Jessica Saathoff.
The driver of the vehicle that hit the woman stayed at the scene, APD said.
Many cyclists say this area of MLK is dangerous to ride on, and many people avoid it.
"People aren't paying attention half the time and they drift over," rider Jeff Hoskins said.
"It can be dodgy sometimes, buses are constantly passing you," rider Ivana Escobar said.
Escobar said she still rides MLK because it's the fastest way to get to and from class. The grad student said she's had several close calls and always has to look out for drivers on this street with no bike lane.
"They're either honking their horns or doing something funny, like u-turning in the middle of the road," Escobar said.
Both riders were appalled when they heard a cyclist had died.
"It's brutal, I mean it's one of those things that's always sad to hear because I can guarantee you she was probably safe, wearing a helmet and doing everything she was supposed to be doing," Escobar said.
She said she'll continue to ride on MLK, she'll just be a little more careful. She also said bike lanes are needed.
"If it gets implemented it would be so much safer, I mean, a lot of athletes travel through here and it would be great for even them to be able to bike ride between their classes and the facilities," Escobar said.
The city is currently studying the MLK corridor between N. Lamar and 183. In a fact sheet for the project, it says the plan will recommend improvements that may include separated and protected bike lanes.
There was a social bike riding group was in the middle of their ride when the crash occurred. One cyclist in the group said they're heartbroken and "realize it could have been one of us."
