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6 Cyclists Hit On Fiesta Island

Posted by: on August, 13 2014

Found on NBC news San Diego and written by Omari FlemingChristina London and Monica Garske

One of the cyclists struck called Fiesta Island one of the safest places to ride in San Diego

A car plowed into a group of bicyclists on Fiesta Island Tuesday evening, sending at least six people to the hospital.

Brandon Ewers’ riding buddy was one of two cyclists who went flying into the car’s windshield.fiesta island

“He said he couldn’t feel his legs,” Ewers said. “That’s scary.”

Police said a woman was driving the wrong way along Fiesta Island Road around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday when her car drove into a group of about 30 bicyclists .

“I heard them screeching on wheels and then everybody hit,” said cyclist Joel Price. “I went over the handle bars and landed on top of the other guys.”

Two cyclists hit the windshield and were pinned in the glass, officers said.

The driver may have been under the influence, according to police.

Cyclist Juan Barrintos told NBC 7 that he looked the driver right in the eye before the collision.

“She was just acting really crazy,” Barrintos said.

The bandaged and bruised cyclist was at the head of the pack of riders who were out training as part of weekly gathering of cyclists on Fiesta Island.

Most are members of the San Diego Bicycle Club and they meet every Tuesday to ride about 30-miles. The group was just finishing their final laps when the collision happened.

Price called Fiesta Island one of the safest places to ride in San Diego.

“People need to be careful,” he said. “Someone making a poor judgment, driving on the wrong side of the road and this is what happens.”

Several of the cyclists said they won’t let the wreck discourage them.

“It’s the sport that we want and what we like. I’m going to keep pushing. I’m training for a triathlon that is coming in two weeks,” Barrintos said.

Investigators won’t say if the woman behind the wheel will face charges for DUI.