Cambridge Cyclist Killed In Crash With Cement Truck

BOSTON, MA — A 69-year-old Cambridge woman cycling in Fenway died after a crash with a cement truck Friday afternoon.

Police have identified the woman as Paula Sharaga.>> Brookline Children's Librarian Died In Bicycle Crash.

The crash happened around 1:45 p.m. near the corner of Brookline Avenue and Park Drive. Police said the truck was stopped at a traffic light on Brookline Avenue and started to move forward when the light turned green. Sharaga, who was riding in the intersection, came into contact with the front end of the truck. Police said they are investigating "the sequence of events leading up the collision."

Sharaga was brought to Brigham and Women's Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

The driver of the truck, a 67-year-old Salem man, was transported to Beth Israel Hospital. No charges have been filed.

A photo taken by a photojournalist showed a white bike on its side in the rain next to a State Police cruiser shortly after the crash. A rear tire appeared crumpled, a bright yellow saddle bag still attached.

According to the Boston Cyclists Union 12 of the 18 cyclist-related deaths in the past seven years across Boston and Cambridge have been by large trucks.

"It does not make sense for these trucks to be on dense City streets without protected infrastructure for cyclists," the union posted to Facebook Friday afternoon.

Photo by Jenna Fisher/Patch Staff