Former Kissimmee mayor, state lawmaker and Osceola County commission chairman Frank Attkisson was struck and killed while riding his bicycle Thursday.
The Florida Highway Patrol said Attkisson, 61, was riding his bike on Kissimmee Park Road near Lake Tohopekaliga Road about 7 p.m. Thursday, when he was struck from behind by a Hyundai Elantra.
Attkisson was pronounced dead at an area hospital. The Hyundai’s driver was not injured.
The crash is under investigation.
After serving on the Kissimmee Planning Advisory Board, Attkisson was appointed to fill a vacancy on the City Commission in 1990 and elected mayor in 1996. He was credited with enhancing the municipal airport, creating a reading program for students and pioneering a community-sponsored charter school.
Attkisson was elected to the state House in 2000 and re-elected three times, prior to returning to local government when he won a seat on the Osceola County Commission in 2010. He was elected to chair the commission in 2012, but was one of two incumbents ousted by challengers in 2014.
Bicycling has always been a popular form of recreation for Florida residents. Because of the mostly warm year-round climate, many Florida residents turn to bikes as an alternative form of transportation outside of passenger vehicles. However, due to the design of Florida’s roadways, bicyclists are extremely vulnerable to cars and other vehicles. It is not uncommon for bicyclists to be involved in automotive collisions.
A bike is no match for a passenger vehicle, SUV or truck. If someone you care for was killed in a bicycle accident that was caused by a negligent driver, you may have grounds to file a wrongful death claim. A Florida Wrongful Death Lawyer at Whittel & Melton can help you explore your legal options.
Please do not hesitate to call us for a free consultation at 866-608-5529 or contact us online. We can begin helping you immediately.