Car hits bicyclist; injuries critical

ALGOMA TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) - A bicyclist was critically injured after being hit by a car on Monday evening.

The bicyclist, 38-year-old Kenneth Alan Ring of Sparta, was struck near the intersection of 13 Mile Road and Algoma Avenue NE just after 7:45 p.m.

Ring and another professional bicyclist were on a training ride when the accident happened.

The vehicle, driven by 26-year-old Brian Craig Lindsey Jr., was westbound on 13 Mile Road, headed into the sunset and never saw the riders, police said.

The driver had a hard time keeping his emotions in check as he explained to 24 Hour News 8 that it was an accident that only took a second. He wanted to know how Ring is doing.

Ring was hit from behind and went sailing through the air over the other cyclist, 24 Hour News 8 was told.

The driver said Ring was not initially responsive, so he called 911.

It's not yet clear at this point what, if anything, will happen to the driver in this accident.   

"There are a lot of things to check out for here," said Kent County Undersheriff Jon Hess. "The driver indicated that the sun was a bright sun and that was in his eyes. He didn't see the bicyclist. Alcohol does not appear to be a factor and the its a very tragic accident and we're praying for the person that's seriously injured."

The driver's car was impounded. 

Aero Med was originally called to the scene but not needed as an ambulance took Ring to Spectrum Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids.

Thirteen Mile Road was shut down for more than an hour as police investigated the incident.

The investigation continues.

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24 Hour News 8's Dani Carlson contributed to this report.