The Bradenton Herald: Bicyclist dies after Lakewood Ranch traffic accident
By SARA KENNEDY
April 8, 2014
LAKEWOOD RANCH — A bicyclist has died after he was hit by a red-light runner last week in Lakewood Ranch, officials said Monday.
Donald Mader, 83, suffered serious injuries and died Saturday, according to Lt. Greg Bueno, a spokesman for the Florida Highway Patrol. His wife, Joyce Mader, 81, suffered minor injuries in the collision.
A traffic homicide investigation will now be conducted to determine if any criminal violations occurred, said Bueno.
The accident occurred at 10:20 a.m. Friday at Lakewood Ranch Boulevard at Parkside Place. The Maders were riding their bikes eastbound on Parkside Place, getting ready to turn left onto Lakewood Ranch Boulevard when a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu driven by Lindsay Damery, 22, of Bradenton, ran a red light at the intersection.
The car, heading south, collided with Donald Mader’s bicycle on the front left side. Mader’s bicycle then collided with his wife’s bicycle. Damery’s car continued southbound through the intersection, and collided with the rear of a 2005 Land Rover. The couple’s bicycles ended up in the middle of the intersection.
Both Donald and Joyce Mader were taken to Blake Medical Center; Joyce Mader was treated and released, said Bueno.
Damery, who was issued a citation for disregarding a traffic signal, suffered minor injuries. The driver of the Land Rover was not injured.
The couple were avid bicyclists and walkers, and were only a couple of blocks from their home when the accident occurred, a friend told the Herald on Monday.
“We saw them out there all the time, every day,” said Norman Kurtz, who served as an elder with Donald Mader at their church, Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, 7451 Prospect Road, Sarasota.
The two were both energetic participants in the church’s activities, Kurtz said.
“He was just a very strong, loving Christian, who, if there was a function at church, Don was there,” said Kurtz. “He knew everybody.
“He was an awesome man, and he’s going to be sorely missed,” Kurtz said.
Read more here: https://www.bradenton.com/2014/04/08/5090199/bicyclist-dies-after-lakewood.html#storylink=cpy
