Bicyclist runs red light, crashes into skateboarder

On Wednesday, July 17 at around 8:30 p.m. South Lake Tahoe Police officers responded to the intersection of US Highway 50 with Heavenly Village Way to investigate an injury traffic collision.

Steven Magelssen, 20, of South Lake Tahoe, was riding his bicycle southbound on US Highway 50 in the center left turn lane. He was approaching a red traffic signal at Heavenly Village Way. Pablo Bobadilla, 23, of South Lake Tahoe, was riding his skateboard, and in the company of other pedestrians, while attempting to cross Highway 50 in a marked crosswalk.

Bobadilla was crossing from the north side of US Highway 50 (at the corner of Tahoe Tom’s gas station) toward the south side of the intersection. The traffic signal was directing pedestrians to cross at that time.

Steven Magelssen failed to stop his bicycle at the red traffic signal holding westbound traffic and the left turn lane. He attempted to turn left against the red left turn arrow from Highway 50 to southbound Heavenly Village Way when he collided with Bobadilla in the crosswalk.

Both parties were injured in the collision. Bobadilla was taken to Barton Memorial Hospital for treatment of cuts and abrasions. Magelssen however, who was not wearing a helmet, was injured more severely. Magelssen was unconscious when police and medics arrived.

He was bleeding from the head. He regained and lost consciousness several times at the scene prior to being transported away. After being transported by ambulance to Barton Memorial Hospital, Magelssen was air lifted to the Renown Medical Center in Reno due to the nature and severity of his injuries.

Steven Magelssen has been found at fault in this collision for running the red light and violating the right of way of a pedestrian in marked crosswalk.