Hours after a memorial bike ride was held in Pinellas County on Sunday to honor the victims of a Labor Day hit-and-run crash, a cyclist was killed in Polk County.
Authorities said 59-year-old Byers Levy of Lakeland was riding on Lake Hollingsworth Drive just before 5 p.m. when he was struck by a Toyota Camry and thrown from his bike. Levy was transported to Lakeland Regional Medical Center, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Witnesses told authorities that the Camry's driver, 74-year-old Ronald Akins of Lakeland, was traveling north on Lake Hollingsworth near Fairhaven Drive when he lost control of the vehicle. The car veered back onto the roadway and crossed into the opposite lane before hitting the bicyclist.
Akins also was taken to the hospital, where he was treated for minor injuries.
No charges have been filed, but troopers are still investigating.
The crash happened in the same general area as a crash in March 2012 in which a truck hit three bicyclists, leaving one with life-threatening injuries. Afterward, the Lakeland City Commission appointed a task force of cyclists, runners and others to recommend safety changes to the area, including stop signs and improvements to the bike lanes.
Sunday's memorial ride in north Pinellas County honored Robert Lemon and Hilary Michalek, who were struck by a hit-and-run driver while riding their tandem bike on the Clearwater Memorial Causeway on Labor Day. Lemon died, and Michalek was critically injured.