SANTA BARBARA A 30-year-old bicyclist suffered major head injuries in a head-on collision with a vehicle Tuesday on Painted Cave Road just north of State Route 154, authorities said.
The collision occurred at approximately 6:25 p.m. Tuesday. Justin Scott Laforge, of Santa Barbara, was riding his bicycle south of Painted Cave Road while Jean Surilla Silva, 71, of Santa Barbara, was driving her Toyota Prius in the opposite direction, according to the California Highway Patrol.
“As Mr. Laforge was traveling through a curve in the roadway, he allowed his bicycle to veer directly into the path of Ms. Silva’s Toyota,” the CHP said.
Mr. Laforge was ejected from his bicycle and he struck the Toyota then the ground. He suffered major head injuries despite wearing a helmet when the collision occurred, authorities aid.
He was transported by ambulance to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital. Ms. Silva was not injured.
The roadway was closed for a time following the collision. Drugs or alcohol were not believed to be a factor in the collision, the CHP said.
