Saturday evening collision happened along Burns Road
ELYRIA, OH, (October 12, 2024) - A tragic accident occurred on Saturday evening in Elyria, resulting in the death of a 9-year-old boy and critically injuring a 10-year-old boy. The Elyria Police Department reported that the accident happened just before 6 p.m.
GoFundMeBryant 'Tide' Bartlett tragically lost his life on Saturday after he and a friend were struck on bicycle by a motorist in Elyria.
The 9-year-old boy, identified as Bryant Tide Bartlett, known as Tide, and a 10-year-old boy were riding their bikes on Burns Road when a 2001 Jeep SUV, traveling east, attempted to drive around them. However, the boys changed direction, and the Jeep struck them.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene to provide medical aid.
Despite their efforts, the 9-year-old boy succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead on the scene. The 10-year-old boy was transported by Life Care Ambulance to University Hospitals and was later airlifted to UH Rainbows and Babies Children's Hospital.
Authorities stated that the driver of the Jeep was uninjured and did not require medical attention.
The crash remains under investigation, and no charges have been filed at this time.
A fundraiser has been set up to assist the family during this difficult time.
BICYCLE CRASH INVESTIGATION
Our roads pose a unique danger for bicycle riders. According to the National Safety Council, 932 bicyclists were killed in motor-vehicle traffic crashes in 2020, an 8.9% increase from the year before.
Candice Bond, an experienced bicycle accident attorney, noted that it is imperative to have an independent probe conducted as soon as possible to preserve evidence in cases such as this.
“Having the proper resources is extremely important when investigating a bicycle accident case and demonstrating that there was negligence on the part of another party,” said Bond, Managing Partner of Bond Legal.
“In addition to the diligent work of law enforcement, an attorney has the resources to interview expert witnesses, conduct defendant background checks, and review applicable insurance coverage,” added Bond, who is also a National Legal Analyst for Newsline.
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the results of any investigations, the family of the young victim may pursue a wrongful death claim. Survivors often seek damages for loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress following a tragic or catastrophic accident.
Bond said, “Grieving families of victims are sometimes overwhelmed by the legal processes that are in place to protect their rights. An attorney can be a valuable and compassionate resource to help guide a family during this difficult time and ensure that those left behind receive the restitution they are entitled to.”
Newsline's national legal analyst Candice Bond is experienced in fatal bicycle accidents, and if you or a family member need help she's available for a free consultation to guide you.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).