QCOSTARICA – They had just gotten off, in less than a kilometre, a taxi driver making an illegal left turn after apparently disobeying traffic officials, cause the group of cyclists unable to evade the vehicle, many colliding with it while others fell.
The accident occurred Monday in La Trinidad de Alajuela, the road through the area known as Barrio San Jose, where the Vuelta Internacional a Costa Rica (International Tour of Costa Rica) event began.
The taxi driver now faces a fine of ¢280,000 colones for the traffic violation and possible legal action by the Federación Costarricense de Ciclismo (Fecoci) – Costa Rican Cycling Federation.
The video and image of the accident went viral on the social media, in particular the part where a number of the fallen cyclists began kicking the vehicle.
The deputy head of the Región Metropolitana de la Policía de Tránsito, Jimmy Salazar, explained that passage of vehicles had been restricted in the presence of the cyclists. The taxi driver said he did not see them (the cyclists).
After the accident, the race continued to its end in Liberia, Guanacaste.
