NEW PALTZ, Ulster County, N.Y., Sept. 24, 2026 — A Westchester County woman was hurt Monday night, September 21, when a car turning onto state Route 299 struck her bicycle at the intersection with North Putt Corners Road, according to the New Paltz Police Department.
The 54 year old woman, of Purchase, was reportedly riding north through the intersection around 8:16 p.m. when a car driven by a 48 year old man, of Bushkill, Pennsylvania, made a left turn onto Route 299 and struck her, New Paltz Police Chief Matthew Sutton said in an email.
The woman suffered minor injuries to her arm, Sutton said. She was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
No further details on the crash have been released, and it was not clear whether any citations were issued. The case remains under investigation.
We hope those hurt make a full and speedy recovery.
Why Left-Turn Crashes Put Cyclists at Risk at Intersections
Intersections force drivers to judge the speed and distance of oncoming traffic in a few seconds, and a bicycle is harder to see and easier to misjudge than a car. A driver scanning for other vehicles may look past a cyclist entirely, a problem sometimes called "looked but failed to see." When a left turn is involved, the driver is also managing a gap in oncoming traffic, watching for pedestrians, and moving the wheel and pedals at the same time, which narrows attention even further.
Cyclists moving through an intersection on a green light or with the right of way often assume a turning driver has seen them and will yield. That assumption fails when the driver's attention is fixed on a gap in car traffic rather than on the bike lane or shoulder. Speed differences compound the problem: a driver completing a turn is often still accelerating, while a cyclist rarely has room to swerve away in the last second.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, pedalcyclist fatalities accounted for 2.9 percent of all traffic fatalities in 2023. Left-turn conflicts of the kind described in this crash are one of the recurring ways those collisions happen, particularly at dusk or after dark when visibility drops.
Frequently Asked Questions
What injuries are most common for cyclists in car-bike crashes?
Common injuries include fractures to the arms or legs, road rash, head and neck injuries, and injuries from being knocked off the bike onto pavement. Even a low-speed impact can cause a broken bone or a head injury if the cyclist isn't wearing a helmet.
What usually causes car-versus-bicycle collisions?
Frequent causes include drivers turning across a cyclist's path, failing to check blind spots or mirrors before a turn, distracted driving, and poor visibility at night or during rain. Cyclists riding against traffic flow or without lights also raise risk.
Where do most of these collisions happen?
Intersections are a common site for car-bike crashes, especially where a vehicle is turning left or right across a bike's path. Crashes also cluster at driveways and unmarked crossings where sightlines are limited.
What is "dooring" and why is it dangerous?
Dooring happens when someone in a parked car opens a door into the path of a passing cyclist, often with little or no warning. It can throw a cyclist into traffic and cause serious injury, and it's one reason cyclists are taught to ride a few feet clear of parked cars.
What to Do After a Bicycle Crash in New Paltz, NY
If you have been involved in a car-bike collision, make sure to call 911 right away, even if your injuries seem minor at first. Some injuries, especially to the head or joints, aren't obvious until hours later, so a medical evaluation is worth getting the same day.
Stay at the scene until police arrive and get a copy of the report once it's filed. If you're able, note the time, location, and direction of travel for both the car and the bike, and take photos of the intersection, the vehicles, and any visible injuries.
It also helps to get the names and contact information of any witnesses before they leave. Keep records of medical visits and any follow-up care, since injuries from these crashes can take time to fully resolve.
