A cyclist was airlifted to hospital in critical condition after being struck by a motorist on David Avenue between Lansdowne Avenue and Noons Creek Tuesday night.
Coquitlam RCMP Cpl. Jamie Chung said that the incident happened shortly after 8 p.m. when the male cyclist was crossing the street at the crosswalk.
The setting sun is believed to have blinded the driver of a Honda Civic, who was heading westbound on David when he struck the cyclist. He added that alcohol was not a contributing factor.
"When the sun is setting it is pretty much right in your eyes," Chung said. "It is very difficult to see."
The cyclist was taken to Royal Columbian Hospital, where doctors said he is in critical condition.
Chung said a similar incident happened a couple of months ago at the same location. He reminded pedestrians to make eye contact with drivers before stepping onto the road.
The RCMP's Integrated Collision Analyst and Reconstruction Services is on the scene and is trying to determine how fast the driver was going when the incident occurred.
Police are also looking to get in touch with a doctor who administered first aid to the victim. She is asked to call the Coquitlam detachment at 604-945-1550 and quote file number 2012-20949.
