John H. Corcoran Obituary, Death; – A man from Newton tragically lost his life after being struck by an SUV while riding his bicycle on Memorial Drive on Monday evening. This incident marks the third cyclist fatality in Cambridge due to collisions since June.
Responding to the accident, Massachusetts State Police and Cambridge Police arrived at the scene near Boston University’s DeWolfe Boathouse at 5:45 PM. The cyclist, identified by authorities as John H. Corcoran, a member of the class of 1984, was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
The Massachusetts State Police have stated that the investigation into the crash is ongoing, although no charges have been filed as of yet.
According to State Police trooper James D. DeAngelis, preliminary findings indicate that a man in his twenties lost control of his vehicle, resulting in the collision with the bicyclist. The cyclist suffered severe injuries and was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Corcoran, aged 62, graduated cum laude from Harvard College with a degree in English and American Literature and Language, and resided in Winthrop House.
This incident adds to a troubling trend of fatal accidents involving cyclists. Earlier this summer, a truck fatally struck a woman from Florida while she was cycling through Harvard Square, followed by another cyclist being killed by a truck in Kendall Square just two weeks later.
The recent deaths of cyclists have prompted many residents and local officials in Cambridge to advocate for stricter regulations on trucks and enhanced safety measures for cyclists and pedestrians in the area.
In a communication to its members, the advocacy group Cambridge Bicycle Safety expressed that local activists have been urging the Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation to tackle safety concerns at the intersection where the incident occurred. The group emphasized that this marks the third cyclist fatality in Cambridge in recent months, underscoring the current dangers present on the streets.
