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A 55-year-old Eagle man who was hit Tuesday by a ValleyRide van while riding a bicycle on Orchard Street south of Interstate 84 has died, according to the Ada County coroner.
Jim Lee Chu died at 9:02 p.m. Thursday at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center as a result of blunt force trauma, the coroner's report says. Chu, who was wearing a helmet, was hit from behind at about 12:52 p.m. Tuesday.
The van driver is on administrative leave with pay pending the outcome of an investigation. The only passenger in the vehicle, also a van driver, was back to work after being given some time off.
The ValleyRide van drivers were on their way to Downtown Boise from the ValleyRide bus yard on Gowen Road to relieve two drivers when the crash occurred, a ValleyRide spokesman said. The van was a support vehicle used by the staff, not one that carried commuters.
It was the first of two serious crashes this week involving cyclists.
A 62-year-old Boise cyclist died from injuries he suffered in a collision Thursday night with a vehicle on Milwaukee Street at the intersection with Emerald Street. The crash was reported at 7:45 p.m.
Thomas D. Bettger died at 9:56 p.m. at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center, according to the Ada County coroner. Bettger, who was wearing a helmet, died of blunt force trauma to the head, the coroner's report says.
Boise police are investigating the crash. The 21-year-old driver of the Dodge Neon that struck Bettger has not been charged or cited.
Witnesses told police that the Dodge Neon was traveling west on Emerald, into the afternoon sun. Bettger was riding south on Milwaukee, crossing the west side of the intersection when he collided with the car.
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