David Hart

this time, driver fatigue??? This wasn't a commuter, racer or a kid. It was a 'retiree' on vacation...

Newport driver drifts off road, kills cyclist on Ore. Coast Hwy

04:46 PM PDT on Sunday, September 17, 2006

By FRANK MUNGEAM, kgw.com Staff

A Montana-area man riding a bicycle was killed Sunday morning when he was struck by a motorist on the shoulder of Highway 101 near the north end of Newport.

At about 8 a.m. Sunday, Jere L. Quinn, 69, from Roberts, Montana, was bicycling northbound on the southbound highway shoulder when he was struck by a Honda CRV driven by Barbara J. Gill, 58, of Newport.

The Honda was near milepost 136 when it reportedly drifted onto the highway shoulder, struck a mailbox and then collided head-on with the bicyclist.

Quinn was pronounced deceased at the scene. He was not wearing a bicycle helmet. Investigators reported that he was vacationing in the area with his wife and staying at Beverly Beach State Park.

The Honda struck an embankment and rolled onto its top. Gill was using safety restraints and received only minor injuries. She was transported by ambulance to Pacific Communities Hospital in Newport where she was treated and released.

A preliminary investigation indicates driver fatigue may have been a contributing factor.

Highway 101 was closed for about 2-1/2 hours with a detour in place during the investigation.

Oregon State Police troopers from the Newport Area Command office are continuing the investigation.