A UC Santa Cruz library worker and alumnus was killed in a bike accident while traveling along Highway 1 on Nov. 2.
Joshua Alper, 40, was traveling northbound in the bike lane when he was struck by a car who drifted into the southbound traffic lane and then into the bike lane. The car and bike collided head on and Alper was pronounced dead at the scene, according to a California Highway Patrol (CHP) report.
The crash occurred around 11:17 a.m. while Alper traveled with three other cyclists. According to several news sources, the cyclists were not there to witness the crash.
The driver was suspected of using his phone during the collision, but this was dispelled when CHP reported the driver had fallen asleep at the wheel. The 63-year-old driver did not sustain any injuries.
This collision is one of many cycling-related accidents to occur within the last decade. A report conducted in 2013 by an internship program at UCSC revealed there have been 669 documented bicycle collisions with motor vehicles in Santa Cruz from 2003 to 2012.
