Crime & Safety

Law Firm Seeks Witnesses to Accident That Killed Kirkland Bicyclist

John Przychodzen, 49, was killed last Friday when struck from behind by a pickup truck apparently driven by an 18-year-old Kenmore man.

A Seattle law firm hired by the family of a Kirkland bicyclist killed last week on Juanita Drive is seeking witnesses to the accident who might have information missed by police.

John Przychodzen, 49, was killed on the afternoon of July 22 when he was hit from behind by a pickup truck driven by an 18-year-old man about a mile west of Juanita Beach. He had been riding westbound at about the 8600 block of Juanita Drive and was wearing a helmet.

The Davis Law Group has been hired to represent the family and said the driver was Nicholas N. Natale of Kenmore. He was driving a truck belonging to "B G Property Maintenance," according to the law firm, although it is not clear whether he was working for BG at the time.

Bryan Boe, an owner of B&G Property Maintenance in Kirkland, declined comment Thursday. "It's still an on-going investigation, so we wouldn't have any comment at this time," he said.

No charges have been filed in the accident, and the Kirkland Police Department has not released the name of the driver. Detective Allan O'Neill said Thursday the accident is still under investigation and that he could not release any further details.

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But the Davis Law Group is urging anyone with information about the crash to come forward.

“Because it is a heavily traveled road...there may be people who saw the accident, or the behavior of the bicyclist or the driver before the accident,” said Mischelle Davis of the firm, which specializes in personal injury claims.

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“We’re trying to find anything the police may have missed. We would love for (witnesses) to contact us so we and the police can learn more about the accident.”

Przychodzen had moved to Kirkland from Glastonbury, Conn., about eight months ago, was a regular rider and bicycle commuter and was near his home when the accident occurred.

KIRO-TV quoted his brother, Ed Hodzen, as saying, “Something like this is not an accident. There is no such thing as just an accident. These things happen because people make decisions in the way they operate motor vehicles, whether or not they have regard for people outside their vehicle."

KIRO also reported that the family plans to come to Kirkland after services for Przychodzen, scheduled for Friday in Glastonbury, to talk to the city of Kirkland about bicycle safety on Juanita Drive.

The Davis Law Group can be contacted at 206-727-4000; info@davislawgroupseattle.com.  


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