New Milford Cyclist Killed on 8/23/2014

Dwight Hipp, 57, of New Milford, CT, died of his injuries Saturday, 8/23/2014, after a collision with a pick up truck driven by John Kimberly, 22, of New Milford.  The accident took place in the vicinity of 415 Chestnut Land Rd, which happens to be the address of the Kimberly Farm.

While there are no indications to the cause of the accident, according to the New Milford Spectrum, it was reported that his bike collided with the pick up truck which.  I am merely speculating here but I could see what could have happened here.  If you go to Google Maps to 415 Chestnut Land Rd, go to Street View, move west or two mouse clicks by the silver blue Jagwire and then turn around you will see something like this (364 - 368 Chestnut Land Rd):

From this perspective I think you can figure out what could have happened.  The cyclist was probably riding down Rt 109 from the hill in the back and going fast and I bet it's hard to see around that telephone pole right now at the height of summer with the way road side vegetation gets, so the driver was probably pulling out of a blind driveway and there was a collision.  Something to think about the next time you get some speed and on a descent and the potential for someone to come out of a drive way that you don't see.

What ever the cause, it's a tragedy for both families; the Hipp family and the loss of their loved one and the Kimberly family and the impact this event will have on the driver for the rest of his life.

My condolences go out to the Hipp family.