Bicyclist Dies After Being Struck by Vehicle 10-13-15

Complaint # 50-15-30250

Date/Time:  Monday, October 12th at 5:57PM

Location:   Hazletville Road, east of Wyoming Mill Road

Officer Releasing Information:   M/Cpl. Mark Hoffman, Public Information Officer

Narrative:

The Dover Police Department is investigating a fatal collision that occurred on Monday evening.  At approximately 5:57PM, a Jeep Compass was traveling westbound on Hazletville Road, approaching Wyoming Mill Road.  At the same time, Bernard Etapale (63), was riding a bicycle in the bike lane, traveling westbound as well.  As the Jeep Compass approached Etapale, he left the bike lane and entered the straight travel lane, directly in the path of the Jeep Compass.  The Jeep Compass struck the bicycle, causing Etapale to fall off the bicycle and strike the windshield of the Jeep.  Bystanders and arriving Dover police officers rendered first aid and CPR to Etapale, who was transported to Bayhealth Kent General a short time later.  Etapale was later flown to Chrisitana Hospital, where he was alter pronounced dead as a result of head trauma.  He was not wearing a helmet at the time of the collision.