Ray Lail Jr Obituary, Death; – On Friday afternoon, the coroner of York County confirmed the identity of the bicyclist who was struck and killed by a motorist on S.C. Highway 55 early Thursday morning as 57-year-old Ray Lail Jr. According to the South Carolina Highway Patrol, the cyclist had taken precautions to ensure his safety.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing, with safety advocates emphasizing the need for drivers to exercise caution around cyclists. Corbin Smith, a member of the bicycle safety organization Charlotte Urbanists, expressed his views on the matter.
Residing in south Charlotte, Smith finds it relatively easy to navigate the area on his bicycle, thanks to the availability of bike lanes and greenways. “For most of my trips, such as grocery shopping, I prefer to use my bike,” stated Corbin Smith. This situation contrasts sharply with that of Andrew Smith, who lives along Highway 55 in York County.
“I make an effort to utilize the developed sidewalks near the school rather than riding on the road. The traffic moves at such a high speed here that it feels nearly impossible to avoid danger,” remarked Andrew Smith.
According to troopers, around 6:30 a.m. on Thursday, while it was still dark, Lail was cycling along Highway 55 near Soaring Eagles Road when he was struck from behind by a driver, resulting in his death.
“That is, without a doubt, one of the most frightening scenarios I can imagine as a cyclist. If I am on a road and someone approaches from behind, I may not be aware of their presence. In such a situation, if I were on this road and someone collided with me from behind, it seems clear that the cyclist was following all safety protocols,” Corbin Smith commented.
There are no designated bicycle lanes on the section of Highway 55 where the accident occurred. “If a bicycle is your only means of transportation, there is never a safe time to ride here; traffic is constant throughout the day,” Andrew Smith added.
The Highway Patrol noted that Lail had equipped his bicycle with lights. “Much of the discussion tends to focus on what the cyclist could have done differently, but we must also consider the responsibilities of drivers in these situations.”
