VENTURA : Bicyclist Dies After Being Hit by Car

Ventura police are investigating a fatal traffic accident in which a 66-year-old county employee was struck from behind while riding his bicycle on Foothill Road.

Thomas Killian McGeachin of Ventura was thrown “a good distance” off his bike after being hit by a large, 1970s sedan driven by 17-year-old Jonathan Best of Ventura. The accident occurred about 6:50 p.m. Tuesday on a curve just east of Highpoint Drive.

Best told police he was momentarily blinded by the sun when he hit McGeachin who was riding in the westbound traffic lane.

Ventura Police Sgt. George Morris said it was too early in the investigation to say whether Best would face any criminal charges.

Morris said traffic investigators will try to reconstruct the collision to determine the cause.

McGeachin, who was not wearing a helmet, suffered a serious head injury and other internal injuries. He was pronounced dead at 8:24 p.m. after undergoing emergency surgery at Ventura County Medical Center, officials said.

Deputy Coroner Jim Wingate said McGeachin was conscious and talking when he arrived at the hospital, but lapsed into a coma a short time later.

McGeachin had worked for Ventura County since 1990 as a facilities engineer and as the county’s energy conservation manager.

“He was highly thought of and very well-liked by his fellow employees,” said Pete Pedroff, director of the county’s General Services Agency.