Bicyclist, 21, Hurt After Hitting Vehicle

A bicyclist trying to ride in between two vehicles Saturday morning crashed into the back of a Ford Explorer in downtown Ventura, injuring himself and shattering the vehicle’s rear window, police said.

Benny Hernandez, 21, of Ventura smashed the glass with his head and flew onto the pavement, causing him to briefly lose consciousness, authorities said. He was taken to Ventura County Medical Center, where he was treated for minor injuries, including a laceration on his head.

Sandy Zatz, 47, driver of the Explorer, was waiting to turn left in the intersection at Main and Chestnut streets about 10 a.m. A SCAT bus was behind her heading along Main Street.

“I thought it was the bus hitting us,” Zatz said. “The glass exploded and the door was dented. I couldn’t believe it was a person.”

Authorities said the bicyclist was trying to go between the two vehicles and misjudged the distance.

“It really jolted the car when it happened,” said Zatz’s 14-year-old son, Eric, who was in the vehicle.

Ventura Police Sgt. Brock Avery said bicycle accidents are common. “But it’s rarely the bicyclist that runs into the car,” he said.