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VIDEO: Pickup plows into group of cyclists in Florida

Two bicyclists were seriously injured this morning when, witnesses said, a white pickup plowed into their cycling group on East Voorhis Avenue, Deeland, Florida

VIDEO: Pickup plows into group of cyclists in Florida

According to one of the cyclists who was riding with the group, the cyclists were off on a typical Saturday morning ride and were eastbound on East Voorhis Avenue when the westbound pickup drifted into their path.
 
The cyclists were riding in pairs, in two rows of seven, Francisco Salinas said.
 
According to City of DeLand sources, two of the cyclists had serious injuries and were airlifted to Central Florida hospitals. A third, reported to be JC’s Bikes and Boards Manager Ryan Flesch, was taken by ambulance to a DeLand hospital, Salinas said.
 
Salinas said four or six cyclists in the front of the pack could see the pickup headed toward the group and were able to avoid the crash by veering off the road. The pickup collided with those in the back of the group, he said.
 
All the cyclists were wearing helmets and had lights on their bicycles, Salinas said “We all understand these risks, but you don’t want it to happen to anybody,” said Pete Shelton, who often cycles with the group but didn’t join this morning’s ride.
 
A witness said the pickup driver stayed on the scene. Both the City of DeLand and Volusia County confirmed that the white pickup was neither a vehicle belonging to their agencies, nor a contractor working for their agencies.
 
The Florida Highway Patrol is in charge of the investigation, a Volusia Sheriff’s Office representative said.