Font ResizeThe motorist who caused five bicyclists to crash during a race in August in American Fork Canyon pleaded no contest to a traffic offense and will pay $143.
The 42-year-old entered his plea Tuesday in Utah County justice court, according to a court docket. He pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor count of failure to observe a no-passing zone. A judge sentenced him to pay the $143 fine.
On Aug. 22, a bicycle race had riders traveling down State Road 92 in American Fork Canyon. The driver from Herriman, who made the plea Tuesday, was in a black sports-utility vehicle when he suddenly stopped. At least two riders crashed into the rear of the car and three other bicyclists wrecked trying to avoid the obstacles, according to the Utah Highway Patrol. UHP said the driver may have been trying to avoid a truck and trailer that appeared to swerve in his lane.
The crash hurled one rider through the SUV's rear windshield and glass severed an artery. The other bicyclist who hit the SUV underwent several surgeries and was in a medically-induced coma for days after the accident.
