Prominent Ohio bicyclist injured in U.S. 2 crash
Two days after an Ohio bicyclist pedaling across the country was hit by a car at highway speed between Coram and West Glacier, the woman remains at Kalispell Regional Medical Center in critical condition.
Shelli Snyder suffered a fractured skull along with arm and leg injuries, Bike Cleveland Executive Director Jacob VanSickle told the Associated Press. Snyder, the co-founder of Bike Cleveland, set out on a journey in July to ride from Cleveland to Seattle, according to the group’s website.
“In true selfless Shelli fashion, she didn’t just take this journey from Cleveland to Seattle for herself, Shelli also rode to support Bike Cleveland and the Climate Ride,” a post on the website read.
Montana Highway Patrol Trooper John Underwood said Snyder was hit from behind by a passenger car around 4:30 p.m. He said she was struck at roughly 65 miles per hour roughly 2 miles outside Coram.
Underwood said it’s possible Snyder was using the left lane to turn onto Belton Stage Road when she was hit, however he said the case is still under investigation.
When the accident occurred, Snyder was wearing a helmet and safety gear, including an orange triangle attached to her bike, Underwood said.
Kalispell Regional officials said Snyder was listed as a confidential patient so they could not release information on her condition.
According to Bike Cleveland, Snyder was in a medically induced coma Monday morning as doctors waited for brain swelling to reduce.
On Tuesday morning, VanSickle announced that Snyder was breathing on her own and was scheduled for a CT scan and surgery to mend her arm.
Since news of the accident has spread, fellow cycling advocates and friends of Snyder have worked to raise money for her medical bills and recovery expenses. Roughly 24 hours after a gofundme page was created for Snyder, more than $27,000 had been raised.
Online:
www.gofundme.com/2ptgcefw
www.bikecleveland.org.
Reporter Katheryn Houghton may be reached at 758-4436 or by email at khoughton@dailyinterlake.com.