CHP: Driver Cited for Southern Marin Collision with Bicyclist in Crosswalk

The driver of a BMW that struck and injured a 13-year-old bicyclist who was on his way to school in Tam Valley on Sept. 20 has been cited for causing the accident by failing to yield as required, according to the California Highway Patrol. Prior to the accident, the intersection was due to get a new street-level flashing beacon this year after public outcry to make it safer for kids to get to school.

Anne Rothmann, a 30-year-old resident of San Francisco, was cited for failing to yield to a bicyclist or pedestrian who had stopped and proceeded onto a crosswalk, according to CHP Officer David Muhic. The driver also failed to heed the instructions of a volunteer crossing guard at the crosswalk, but that is not a violation of the California Vehicle Code, Muhic said.

Rothmann's case proceeds to the traffic court division of Marin County Superior Court.

The incident occurred at 7:50 a.m. on Sept. 20 when the boy was riding his bicycle to school and was in the crosswalk with another boy who was not on a bicycle, with a crossing guard watching over the scene, CHP Officer Andrew Barclay said.

According to witness reports, the guard was standing in the middle of the intersection with a hand-held stop sign, and all northbound traffic had stopped to let the boys cross. The guard then noticed that a 2002 BMW 325 heading southbound was not slowing down as it approached.

The crossing guard shouted for the children to watch out but was unable to stop them all before the BMW being driven by Rothmann hit the bicyclist, Barclay said. Rothmann declined to provide a statement to CHP officers at that time, Barclay said.

The boy was treated at the scene by paramedics for minor injuries and released to the custody of the CHP, who stayed with him until a parent picked him up.

The intersection where the incident occurred is due to have a street-level flashing beacon installed in the coming months to allow pedestrians and bicyclist to cross Shoreline at Pine Hill more safely.

According to Bob Goralka, the county's traffic and transportation planning division manager, the project will likely be finished in November. The project has a $130,000 budget, $85,000 of which is coming from the Transportation Authority of Marin and $45,000 from the county.

The Marin Board of Supervisors gave the project the green light on Sept. 10.