2 Local Cyclists Killed by Truck on Trip in Utah

Two South County bicycle riders making a long-distance group tour of Utah were killed by a pickup truck near Richfield, Utah, the Utah Highway Patrol reported Sunday.

Patricia M. Harris, 67, and Clem R. Wilson, 69, of Lake Forest, were on separate bikes, riding in the emergency lane of Interstate 70 about 10 miles east of Richfield, officers said. The accident occurred about 1:20 p.m. Saturday.

The pickup driver, Shannon Heaps, 59, of Richfield, told officers he “just didn’t see them,” a UHP dispatcher said Sunday.

No charges were filed, but an investigation is continuing, he said.

Relatives of Harris said Sunday that she and Wilson were longtime friends and were part of a group of about a dozen persons, ages 40 to 70, on a two-week, 700-mile tour of Utah.

The group drove to Cedar City, Utah, about a week ago and had just completed the first week of the tour at the time of the accident, said Brad Harris of Mission Viejo, Patricia’s son.

“Clem Wilson was (Harris’) boyfriend, and they really enjoyed riding bikes together,” said Rose Harris, of Mission Viejo, Brad Harris’ wife. “They had been bike riding together for several years.”

Rose Harris said that Wilson had operated a bicycle shop for many years.

Patricia Harris was a retired elementary school teacher who formerly taught in Lakewood.

According to the UHP investigative report, the pickup struck Wilson first, throwing him under the moving vehicle. Then the truck hit Harris, tossing her into the air.

The Utah Highway Patrol said that at the time of the accident Harris and Wilson were separated from the other bike riders.

Police said Sunday that they had yet to locate the other members of the group.