Bicyclist critically injured in collision with minivan

A 47-year-old bicyclist suffered critical injuries Friday night after a minivan struck him on Northeast Highway 99, police and fire officials said.

The southbound minivan struck the man around 8:32 p.m. on the highway near Northeast 102nd Street, said Dawn Johnson, spokeswoman for Clark County Fire District 6.

The unidentified bicyclist was transported to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center in critical condition, said Sgt. Fred Neiman with Clark County Sheriff’s Office.

The bicyclist was not wearing a helmet when emergency responders found him, Johnson said, but investigators were uncertain whether he had no helmet or if it was removed by a bystander following the collision.

The minivan’s driver was cooperating with Clark County sheriff’s deputies investigating the collision, Johnson said. The cause of the collision was not immediately known, Neiman said, but neither speed nor alcohol was believed to be involved. The name of the minivan’s driver was not immediately released.

Southbound and northbound lanes of the highway between Northeast 99th and Northeast 104th were closed following the wreck. Northbound lanes were reopened within 30 minutes of the collision. Southbound lanes remained closed longer.

The Clark County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Homicide Unit was dispatched to investigate, Neiman said.