Bicyclist Struck by Car in Portsmouth in Stable Condition

PORTSMOUTH, RI—A 19-year-old Portsmouth man suffered traumatic injuries after being struck by a car while riding a bike shortly after midnight Wednesday.

Portsmouth Fire Department Dep. Chief Michael P. O’Brien said that firefighters responded to East Main Road near Town Hall after a 911 call at around 12:19 a.m. The victim was lying in the roadway suffering from serious injuries and was transported directly to Rhode Island Hospital’s Trauma Center.

O’Brien said that the severity of the man’s injuries are unclear “but appeared to be significant.”

Conditions were foggy at the time of the accident and that slowed transport time to the hospital. The ambulance crew reported zero visibility during portions of the trip to Providence, O’Brien said.

Police said when the driver came upon the bicyclist, he was “unable to avoid the bicyclist which resulted in the vehicle striking the bicycle from behind.”

The bicycle operator was ejected from the bike and onto the roadway.

Police said the inside of the driver’s car smelled like marijuana and police found a small amount inside the car.

The driver passed a field sobriety test.

The 20-year-old driver is from Portsmouth and was cited for possession of less than an ounce of marijuana.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the victim’s condition is listed as stable.

More information will be posted as it becomes available.