Ashleigh Whitton Injured in West Palm Beach Bicycle Accident
The collision occurred during the BillBone Olympic Triathlon at Forest Hill Boulevard and Pinehurst Drive, PBSO says
Ashleigh Whitton, 45, of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, was seriously injured Sunday when a 2025 Hyundai Tucson hit her in West Palm Beach, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office said.
The crash happened at about 8:58 a.m. at Forest Hill Boulevard and Pinehurst Drive. A 74-year-old man from Boynton Beach was driving the Hyundai, deputies said.
The Hyundai struck two bicyclists riding westbound in an outside lane closed for the BillBone Olympic Triathlon. Both bicyclists wore helmets.
Whitton was taken to a local hospital with serious injuries. A second bicyclist, Miguel Junior Gomez of Oakland Park, suffered minor injuries. The driver of the Hyundai also reported minor injuries, according to the sheriff's office.
In bicycle accidents such as this, the design and safety of intersections often play a critical role in preventing collisions, especially when a vehicle enters a closed lane, creating a dangerous situation for cyclists.
According to the National Safety Council, more than 1,000 bicyclists died and more than 71,000 were injured in motor-vehicle crashes in 2020.
National Legal Analyst Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal, noted that "It is imperative to come to a determination of the exact cause of these types of accidents. An attorney has the resources to review applicable insurance coverage, hire expert witnesses, run background checks, and locate witnesses. We carefully guide the family of the victim through the process."
National Legal Analyst Stefano G. Stefano Formica, also a Managing Partner at Bond Legal, added, "motor vehicle drivers must be extra careful and vigilant when sharing the road with bicyclists. The consequences of a collision can be devastating for a cyclist."
The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office will examine all factors surrounding the collision, including road conditions, visibility, and the actions of both the driver and the bicyclists, reviewing available surveillance footage and witness statements. The fact that the lane was closed to vehicular traffic for the triathlon will be a key aspect of their inquiry.
The presence of a closed lane for cyclists introduces specific considerations for liability, underscoring the importance of clear signage and driver awareness in areas with special event road closures.
Florida follows a modified comparative fault (51% bar) system, effective 2023. The statute of limitations was reduced from 4 years to 2 years in 2023. Damages include economic losses (medical expenses, lost wages) and non-economic losses (pain, suffering). Florida's PIP no-fault insurance covers initial medical costs up to $10,000 regardless of fault.