Evening Bike Ride Turns Deadly

A man out for an evening ride on his bicycle lost his life last week in Largo.

According to the Largo police department, the bicyclist, 55-year-old Gregory Gancarz, was heading north on Starkey Road when he was struck from behind by a GMC truck. Police spoke with the driver of the vehicle, Lonnie Baumbach, 62, who stated that since Gancarz had no reflectors or taillights on his bicycle, he did not see the man. At this time police do not believe that speed was a contributing factor in this bicycle accident.

Baumbach was delivering newspapers for the St. Petersburg Times when the accident happened. When officers spoke with one of his managers, Jim Thompson, he reported that Baumbach had had no other driving infractions during the eight years he has worked as an independent contractor for the paper. Although this was tragic news for Gancarz's family, it was not surprising for Largo police, who have investigated 20 bicycle accidents since last July on local roads.

Were you harmed during a bicycle accident?  Contact our legal team to discuss your options with an understanding Broward County personal injury attorney today.