Boise bicyclist found unconscious after crash; police looking for witnesses

Boise police are looking for anyone who might have witnessed what caused a bicyclist to crash while he was riding on Capitol Bouelvard Monday morning.

Was a vehicle or other party involved? Police say they don’t know yet, though the bicyclist’s family has said in social media that he was struck by a hit-and-run driver.

At about 8:24 a.m., first responders were called to aid a male bicyclist, who was found unconscious in the bike lane on Capitol near the Boise Public Library.

The man was not wearing a helmet. He told officers the last thing he remembered was riding down the hill toward the Capitol.

A fundraising account was set up on YouCaring.com for the bicyclist, who was identified as Derrek Brent. On his Facebook page, Brent says he suffered a severe concussion, broken nose and cuts requiring 15 stitches.

Boise Police spokeswoman Haley Williams said police have not yet heard from any witnesses who were in the area — and the person who found Brent and reported it to police didn’t leave his name with paramedics.

Williams said it’s possible that the bicyclist was hit by a vehicle but investigators didn’t find any physical evidence of that at the scene, such as pieces of debris or yaw marks.

Anyone who witnessed what happened to the man is asked to call Ada County non-emergency dispatch, 208-377-6790 or Crime Stoppers at 208-343-2677 (COPS). Also, you can leave a tip at www.343COPS.com or use the “P3 tips” app on your phone.

This story was originally published October 5, 2017 at 5:18 PM with the headline "Boise bicyclist found unconscious after crash; police looking for witnesses."