Omaha, Nebraska – In a tragic incident in Omaha, a bicyclist lost his life after being struck by a pickup truck over the weekend. The unfortunate event took place at the intersection of 72nd and Pratt streets, at approximately 6:08 p.m. on Saturday.
The victim has been identified as John Turpen, 45. He was riding a unique, homemade motorized bicycle when the accident happened. According to police reports, Turpen proceeded through a stop sign at the aforementioned intersection when he was hit by the pickup truck. Emergency medical responders were swiftly on the scene, transporting Turpen to a nearby hospital. Sadly, despite their best efforts, Turpen succumbed to his injuries a few hours after the accident.
Preliminary investigations revealed that Turpen was not equipped with a helmet at the time of the collision. This may have exacerbated the severity of his injuries. Meanwhile, the pickup truck driver, whose identity remains undisclosed, was reportedly cooperative with the law enforcement officials present.
The investigation remains open. Omaha police are working to piece together the details of the incident to determine its exact cause. The community mourns the loss of Turpen, a tragic reminder of the importance of road safety measures for all users.