Bicyclist dies in collision on Wisconsin Avenue

A Whitefish man died Thursday night after he was run over by a sport utility vehicle while riding his bicycle in Whitefish.

The accident occurred about 9:30 p.m. near the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue and Edgewood Place when the driver of a Hyundai Santa Fe struck 28-year-old Jared Frederick Kinney.

When police and emergency personnel arrived, Kinney was pinned under the vehicle in the Wilson Chiropractic parking lot. Airbags were used to raise the vehicle and extricate Kinney.

Kinney was pronounced dead at the scene. He recently moved to Whitefish from Wayland, N.Y. and was employed at Whitefish Mountain Resort.

Whitefish police identified the driver of the vehicle as Shauna Dillman of Redcliff, Alberta. Her husband was a passenger in the vehicle. Dillman told police she was attempting to turn into the parking lot to turn around when the collision occurred.

Police say evidence at the scene indicates Kinney may have been riding against traffic, traveling west in the eastbound lane. He had no headlight or taillight on his bike, and he wasn’t wearing a helmet.

An investigation into the accident is ongoing. Montana Highway Patrol will forward findings to Whitefish police and the Flathead County Attorney to determine if any charges will be filled.

The Flathead County Sheriff's Office, Montana Highway Patrol and Whitefish police and fire departments responded to the scene.

Whitefish Police Chief Bill Dial reminds bicyclist to follow the rules of the road for safe travel.

“Every law that pertains to a vehicle pertains to the operation of a bicycle,” Dial said.

Kinney’s death marks the second bicycle fatality this summer in Whitefish.

On July 27, part-time Whitefish resident Daniel Schoedinger died after he was thrown from his bicycle on Big Mountain Road north of Whitefish.

 Schoedinger, 69, was riding down Big Mountain Road near the one-mile marker when he had to brake because of a vehicle turning into a driveway ahead of him.

Schoedinger was thrown from his bicycle onto the pavement, striking his head. He was wearing a helmet.