Hi Leslie,
I am so glad that you are okay and this wasn’t more serious than from I what witnessed. I was heading west to Falls Church from Chuxtr’s ride on Sunday with another when we came up onto the crash scene. Waiting at the light, I first noticed a crowd of people and several cyclists, a black truck/SUV in the middle of the road with no driver, a police SUV with flashing lights, and to my horror, a cyclist laying motionless on the road. There were no signs of paramedic at the scene, but I can hear the approaching sirens. It appears that someone had placed a jacket covering the cyclist (you), but I can see that you were wearing a dark colored helmet.
Seeing that authorities are already present and paramedic appears to be on their way, I did not want to be a gawker and decided to continue. As I rode closer, I did not notice any obvious damage to the front nor left side of the vehicle involved. However, I did noticed what appeared to be a thread of red yarn near your head that looked odd. But as I processed what I saw, I soon realized it was actually a small stream of blood running down the road. Recognizing this and based on the fact that no one was administering first-aid, I was thinking the worst. I mentioned what I witnessed to several fellow cyclists in Strava, and even scanned local news outlets for updates but did not find any.
I believe right turning vehicles pose the greatest danger to pedestrian/cyclists at this intersection. Law states that motorist must stop before making a right on red, I even believe there is a no right on red when pedestrians are present at this intersection, but is rarely observed. Given where the trail enters the intersection, I think it gives inadequate sight-line and a false impression to right turning motorists that they are free and clear. I have personally witnessed and experienced several close calls with drivers try to beat the light. This should be a No Right on Red intersection.
Wishing you to a speedy recovery!
