Cyclist struck and killed near Convention Center yesterday

[ny biker]

This is terrible.

Last night after work I drove from Arlington into DC (Foggy Bottom) -- I witnessed a near miss when a limo van forced the pickup truck in front of me off the road while changing lanes and then watched the same van accelerate to run a red light through a 3-street intersection (Pennsylvania, 25th and L Sts) along with 2 other limos it was traveling with. If this is how the official vehicles were driving, it's a miracle there weren't more accidents.

[tulip]

The cyclist was Constance Holden, 68 years old, who worked for the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Here's a link to the Washington Post, but you have to register to see it (free): link

[Kalidurga]

WTOP has also updated their article:

A veteran journalist who was bicycling five blocks from the Convention Center Monday was killed in a collision with a 5.5-ton military truck that was blocking an intersection so a motorcade could pass through.

Police identified the cyclist as Constance Holden, 68, of Northwest.

Holden had apparently just left the headquarters of the American Association for the Advancement of Science when the accident occurred, according to the web site for AAAS, where Holden worked for the journal, "Science."

The military truck was pulling forward to block New York Avenue at 12th Street when the accident occurred, says Maj. Gen. Erol Schwartz, commanding general for the D.C. National Guard.

U.S. Secret Service spokesman Max Milien says the accident happened about 6:05 p.m.

"Every time we move a vehicle, there is a ground guide," Schwartz said.

Schwartz says a video of what happened will be reviewed. The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating the fatality. Officials have not said who was being escorted in the motorcade connected to the Nuclear Security Summit.

Holden joined "Science" in 1970. She was known not only for her writing, but also for her oil paintings.

"This is a terrible loss both personally and professionally for so many on our staff who knew her well," said Alan I. Leshner, chief executive officer of AAAS, as he informed staffers.

Holden is survived by her husband John Butters of D.C.

I'm glad to know that it wasn't any of our gang, but still so very sad that it had to happen to anyone.

[7rider]

I'm glad to know that it wasn't any of our gang, but still so very sad that it had to happen to anyone.

I agree 100%

[Blueberry]

So very sad. I do hope they can get to the bottom of what happened and prevent it from happening in the future. We've had a few high profile folks taken from us in bicycle-fatalities. Some were (truly) the cyclist's fault and some weren't. Either way, they hurt and they always make me thing twice when I get on my bike and ride. Sad, but true.

[Kalidurga]

I don't usually think much of WTOP's reporting despite the fact that they're quick to get news out there, but this is a very nice, positive response to the recent accident: On the road, who rules? Cyclist or driver?, instructive videos included.

Though it could have been better if they'd emphasized the idea of "sharing" the road rather than "ruling" it.

[PamNY]

This is so tragic; my heart goes out to everyone involved. While I don't know what caused this accident, I do know from experience that situations like this can be a nightmare for cyclists.