Woman Dies After Collision with E-Bike in Santa Cruz County
An 82-year-old woman has died in the hospital after being struck by a man on an electric bicycle Friday morning, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
The collision occurred around 5:50 a.m. on Opal Cliff Drive, east of Court Drive. An 80-year-old man from Santa Cruz was riding his e-bike on the right shoulder of the road at an unknown speed when he collided with the woman, who was also from Santa Cruz. The reasons for the crash remain unclear.
The woman, identified as Helen “Pookie” Hines by her daughter, Cindy Diola, suffered major injuries and was airlifted to Valley Medical Center, where she later succumbed to her injuries.
Diola described her mother as the matriarch of their family—a “vibrant, active, fun-loving lady” who was a loving mom, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, wife, and crafter. “Not a mean bone in her body. Very giving, had a lot of grace, and a huge family,” she said, adding that her mother had walked Opal Cliff Drive for 25 years.
The man involved in the incident also sustained injuries and was transported to Dominican Hospital by ground ambulance. The CHP is currently investigating the cause of the crash, stating that drugs and alcohol are not suspected factors at this time.
