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The driver who struck and killed a Menlo-Atherton High School athletic coach while he was riding his bicycle in Atherton on May 7 was operating a garbage truck, Atherton Police Chief Steven McCulley confirmed Friday.
The deadly collision occurred at the intersection of Middlefield Road and Prior Lane when the truck turned right and struck Coach Dylan Taylor, who was riding in the designated bicycle lane, McCulley said in his statement.
“On behalf of the entire Police Department team and the Town of Atherton, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of the victim,” McCulley said, adding that the department is “actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the collision.”
The Atherton Police Department is working with the regional Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) and traffic safety experts to thoroughly review the incident.
Taylor, a coach and paraeducator who worked with students at Menlo-Atherton High School, La Entrada Elementary and Hillview Middle schools, sustained life-threatening injuries and died shortly after being transported to the hospital, authorities said.
Police said the driver of the garbage truck remained at the scene and is cooperating with investigators.
“At this time, there is no indication that alcohol or drugs were contributing factors in the collision,” officials said.
“We must all work together — Town departments, private partners, and residents — to help ensure that such a preventable loss does not happen again,” McCulley said.
Police will increase enforcement along the Middlefield Road corridor and expand community education efforts to promote bicycle, pedestrian and driver safety, McCulley said.
Taylor’s death marks Atherton’s first fatal traffic collision of the year.
If you have information about the incident or concerns you wish to express, McCulley asks that you contact him directly at SMcCulley@ci.atherton.ca.us or by calling the police dispatch center at 650-655-6800.
