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Bicyclist Hospitalized After Crossing Into Car's Path

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By TONY HOLT wholt@hernandotoday.com

Published: October 7, 2007

SPRING HILL – A couple driving home from Walgreens watched in shock as a bicyclist appeared to intentionally swerve into them as they traveled 45 mph eastbound along Spring Hill Drive Sunday.

Thomas Cherry, 26, of Spring Hill, was writhing in pain along the road shortly before 5:30 p.m. when an eyewitness ran to him and told him to remain calm.

"He was riding down the road and then all of a sudden he turned right in front of the car," said Edwin Ortiz, shaking his head. "I ran up to him and yelled, 'Don't (expletive) move."

Ortiz, who lives at the house located at the corner of Spring Hill and Airmont Drive, told his sister to call 911. Seconds later, a deputy arrived and pulled over, he said.

Cherry was airlifted to a Tampa-area hospital. His condition was not available. Witnesses said his leg was "mangled" and blood was pouring out of his head, but he was conscious and able to speak.

"He looked back at us and rode right in front of us," said R.C. Washburn, who was driving the Buick Le Sabre that hit Cherry.

Washburn's wife, Phyllis, said a car occupied by two women pulled up shortly thereafter and one of them got out and shouted at the man lying on the road.

"She said, 'What are you trying to do, you stupid (expletive)?'" she recalled. "'Are you trying to kill yourself?'"

Washburn said the woman apparently knew Cherry and the two may have been in an argument minutes before the accident.

Cherry was riding a Swimano Next mountain bike that was loaned to him by a friend. The owner of the bike pulled up in his truck, loaded the bike into the back and drove away. He hadn't spoken to Cherry for weeks, but said he had a history of mental illness.

Trooper E. Hellstrom, of the Florida Highway Patrol, would not confirm whether it was a suicide attempt, but said it appeared the bicyclist "knew what he was doing" when he pulled in front of the car.
The accident occurred in front of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, where several teenagers were participating in a pumpkin patch fundraiser.

Some of the people at the church knew Cherry and witnessed the accident, but no one wanted to comment.

Reporter Tony Holt can be contacted at 352-544-5283.

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