Bicyclist Killed on Juanita Drive Identified as Kirkland Man

A bicyclist killed after being hit by a small pickup truck on Juanita Drive Friday afternoon has been identified as 49-year-old John Przychodzen of Kirkland.

He was struck from behind by a vehicle driven by an 18-year-old man who has not been identified.

“Obviously with the driver, we’re still investigating the circumstances,” Kirkland Police Detective Allan O’Neill said Monday.

Przychodzen was wearing a helmet, but was severely injured and pronounced dead at the scene despite the efforts of emergency medical personnel.

O’Neill said there was no evidence alcohol or drugs played a role in the accident, which occurred in the 8600 block of Juanita Drive, less than a mile west of Juanita Beach.

Juanita Drive is a winding, wooded and busy arterial in a recently annexed area of Kirkland, also heavily used by bicyclists.

“Any time you get a winding, hilly road, you need to be alert,” advised O’Neill.