Fatal Bike, Truck Crash In Porter Square: No Charges Says DA

CAMBRIDGE, MA — It took almost a year and a half, but the investigation into the 2016 fatal bike crash that involved a semi-truck on Mass Ave near Porter Square is over and no chargers will be filed.

"Based on the investigation and all available evidence, no criminal charges or civil motor vehicle infractions will be filed against the operator of the truck or the sedan," Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan announced.

On October 5 at approximately 8:08 a.m. Cambridge Police received several 911 calls reporting a collision involving a bicycle and a commercial tractor-trailer truck on Massachusetts Avenue at Porter Square. Bernard Lavins, 60, of Lexington, died at the scene.

The investigation, which included a reconstruction of the collision, a visibility study, a review of available surveillance footage and witness interviews, found that both the tractor-trailer truck and the cyclist were traveling southbound on Massachusetts Avenue at the time of the crash. The cyclist exited the bike lane, which continues along Massachusetts Avenue to the intersection for Somerville Avenue, with the intention to turn left approximately 36 feet prior to the crosswalk, according to the DA's office.

After analyzing crash debris and the resting place of the truck and bicycle, police said the reconstruction indicates that the actual collision happened in the center of the middle lane of Massachusetts Avenue.

The cyclist was fatally struck by the tractor-trailer, with the impact occurring in the center of the truck, and then struck by a car traveling in the same lane. The visibility study and witness statements concluded that the cause of the crash was the blind spot in front of the tractor-trailer and that it was very likely that the driver of the truck could not tell the cyclist was there as the cyclist got into the lane of the travel without signaling and based on the cyclist’s speed and location.

There is no indication that mechanical failure, conditions of the roadway or the roadway design contributed to this collision, according to the DA. The operator of the truck was not speeding, impaired or distracted by cell phone or other objects at the time of the crash.

PREVIOUSLY: Victim Identified in Fatal Porter Square Bicycle Crash

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Photo courtesy, DA