By Roger Lanse

Sunday, April 17, at about 3:45 p.m., a crash between a car and a bicyclist occurred at W. Highway 180 and Pope Street.

The driver of the car, a white VW pickup, according to a Silver City Police Department crash report, was Tamera Ahner, of Silver City. The bicyclist was Dezarae Turner, also of Silver City.

According to the crash report, Turner was traveling at a high rate of speed south through the intersection when she collided with the left rear fender of Ahner's VW, which was headed east on Hwy 180. A witness stated he believed Turner lost control of her bike because her brakes didn't work and struck Ahner's vehicle.

Turner was not wearing a helmet and was ejected from her bike, the report stated. Ahner was not injured and moved her vehicle off the roadway and went to check on Turner.

Turner was taken by EMS to Gila Regional Medical Center for her open lacerations, the report said, and then was airlifted to University Medical Hospital in El Paso. The bicycle, which sustained a damaged front tire and bent handlebars and frame was taken to SCPD headquarters and logged into evidence.

Turner was cited for failure to yield, faulty brakes, and riding on roadways.