Bend cyclist injured, cited in Third Street crash

A 43-year-old bicyclist was taken to the hospital with serious injuries and also cited Monday after he crossed in front of a pickup truck between intersections on NE Third Street, going fast and without a helmet, police and witnesses said.

Michael Keener was cited for failure to use a bike lane after he was taken to St. Charles-Bend for treatment of serious but non-life-threatening injuries to his left leg and possibly his upper torso, said police Lt. Chris Carney.

A nursing supervisor said Keener was listed in serious condition Monday night.

Witnesses to the crash, which occurred around 11:20 a.m., told police a full-sized Chevy pickup driven by David Wiersema, 58, of Bend, was heading north on Third Street in the left-hand lane, approaching Marshall Avenue, when Kenner crossed from east to west in front of the pickup.

An investigation found that “Keener was crossing at a fast rate of speed and in between intersections,” Carney said in a news release.

“Keener caused the crash when he carelessly rode his bicycle in front of Wiersema’s vehicle and (failed) to yield the right of way,” the lieutenant added.