Thursday, May 31 - Bicyclist Dies After Route 50 Bridge Accident

OCEAN CITY - The bicyclist struck by an SUV on the Harry Kelley Memorial Bridge last Sunday night died this week from the injuries sustained in the collision, bringing to light more questions on the need for an overhaul to the old drawbridge leading into the south end of the resort.

A bicyclist, whose name has not yet been released, was struck on the eastbound side of the Route 50 Bridge not far from Hooper's Restaurant shortly after 10 p.m. on Sunday. According to police reports on the incident, the cyclist 'darted in front of an SUV' driven by a man from Ocean Ridge, Fla., whose name has also not been released. The cyclist was transported to Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury and originally listed in serious condition, but later died of injuries related to the collision.

The fatality was the first of the summer season in the resort area and ironically came just days before three public workshops on the future of the bridge. State Highway Administration (SHA) officials last night hosted the first of three scheduled public workshops to discuss the alternatives for rehabilitating or replacing the bridge, with two more workshops scheduled for today.