Leland bicyclist suffers serious injuries after riding into the path of trash truck

LELAND, NC (WWAY) — Both lanes of Hwy. 17 north-bound in Leland are back open after a crash shut the road down earlier Friday morning. 

A spokesperson for the Town of Leland said the crash happened around 10 o’clock Friday morning on Hwy. 7 N. near Ploof Rd. and involved a trash truck and a cyclist. A 75-year-old man was riding his bicycle when he rode his bike into the path of the trash truck that was turning right onto Hwy. 17 off Ploof Rd.. 

The cyclist got trapped underneath the truck. Leland Police and Fire responded to the crash. Amazingly, the man survived and was taken to the hospital with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries. 

Debra Gill is a Leland resident. She was driving on Hwy. 17 heading towards Wilmington when she saw the crash happen. 

“I was afraid of ‘what is this bicycle going to do’ and he turned, he ran into the GFL truck. I am sure the people in that truck could not see him because he was sort of low to the ground,” Gill said. 

Gill said she was waiting to hear the cyclist was dead, due to the severity of the crash. 

“I screamed. I mean, it was really emotional to see it because I was wondering ‘is this guy going to survive,’” Gill said. 

She said she is glad the man survived, although the struck bicycle would suggest otherwise. 

“He was down, I was wondering if they were going to put a white sheet over his face. That’s what I was concerned about,” Gill said. 

According to a spokesperson with the Town of Leland, no charges have been laid in the crash. 

Leland Police said Friday’s crash serves as an important reminder to share the road. Both drivers and cyclists, be aware of your surroundings and those around you.