Robert Verhaaren, a 42-year-old cyclist from Mesa, Arizona died from injuries sustained during the 30th running of the 206 mile LOTOJA Classic on Saturday, September 8, 2012, after falling from a bridge over the Snake River, according to a story in the Deseret News.
Verhaaren . . . was approximately 8 miles south of the town of Jackson [Wyoming] on Highway 89 when he crossed a bridge over the Snake River and came upon a hazard in the roadway, believed to be a pothole, according to a press release by Sheriff Jim Whalen with Teton County. . . “Verhaaren swerved to miss the hazard, over-corrected, lost control of the bicycle and crashed into the guardrail,” Whalen said. He catapulted over the guardrail and fell approximately 35 feet into the river, in water about a foot deep, Whalen said.
Our thoughts are with Verharren’s friends and especially his wife and three children. According to the story, Verharren’s brother Michael is married to BMX racer Arielle Martin (the women’s BMXer who missed the London Olympics due to injury).
[Link: Deseret News]
