Goodyear Bike Accident: Arizona Driver Crashes Into Cyclists

Two cyclists were killed, and 11 others were injured in a bike accident in Goodyear, Arizona, on Saturday morning when a truck struck a group of cyclists, according to police.

Police said an arrest had been made on Sunday. Several charges, including two counts of manslaughter, have been filed against 26-year-old Pedro Quintana-Lujan, according to a Facebook post from the Goodyear Police Department, Fox News reported.

Quintana-Lujan also reportedly faces three counts of aggravated assault, two counts of causing serious injury or death by a moving violation, and 18 counts of endangerment.

Authorities said two cyclists were killed in the Goodyear bike accident, and the third is in critical condition, adding that several other people were also hurt quite badly.

The two bicyclists who died were a Goodyear resident, and an out-of-state visitor, according to police. Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the crash, including whether any impairment was involved.

Another collision also occurred nearby while officers were dealing with the first, sending a pregnant woman, a 7-year-old girl, and an older man to the hospital with minor injuries.

Goodyear Bike Accident Victims Were Members of a Prominent Cyclist Group

According to Brandon van Leuven, co-owner of the Trek Bicycle Store in West Phoenix, Arizona, a typical Saturday morning has turned from joy to sadness.

"The first thing I know is I've done that ride many times before," he said, adding that he was "very much concerned" because many of the victims were his clients.

Riders involved in the Goodyear bike accident belonged to the biggest cycling club in the Valley, which has been organizing rides for a decade or more, according to 12News.

Van Leuven told the outlet that he knew the woman who was killed because she was a regular customer of his store. Van Leuven said his friend, who also works at his store, was among those hurt and being treated in a hospital.

"I was very surprised," Van Leuven noted, adding that incidents do happen but hearing the number of people involved and the involvement of a vehicle shocked him.

The cyclists are always prepared when out for a ride and take additional safety precautions, according to Van Leuven, who is familiar with the group.

"I think most of us do what we can, especially road cyclists," he said. "We get a lot of comments about the clothes we wear; they're bright in color. I know my friend; he religiously uses those lights so cars can see him from a distance. When talking about the riders today, most of them use those lights."

Cycling Communities React to Goodyear Bike Accident in Arizona

The Goodyear bike accident has reverberated throughout Arizona's cycling communities, Arizona's Family reported.

"These individuals are finding a way to be healthy and be out there with friends. And now there are people that aren't coming home," John Hogen, vice president of the Rob Dollar Foundation, told the outlet.

The organization was founded after the death of cyclist Rob Dollar in Phoenix while preparing for his upcoming competition in 2017.

"Anytime this happens, it's a flashback. Our heart is going to those families because we know the pain they're feeling," said Hogen.

Dollar was talking about how to make cyclists safer and more aware a few days before he was killed, according to Hogen, who said that everyone has a role to perform in doing their best to view everyone as a human, and it is so much more than just a bike, it is about affecting someone's life.

He advised drivers to exercise care when driving. He added that riders should do the same and be patient and respectful to avoid casualties like in Goodyear.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: 2 Dead, 11 Injured a

After Truck Hits Group of Bicyclists in Goodyear - From FOX 10 Phoenix