Cyclist killed by truck in Cambridge, Massachusetts – identified as MIT student

CAMBRIDGE – The cyclist who was struck and killed by a truck in Cambridge on Friday has been identified, as her death reignites debate about cyclist safety.

MIT student hit and killed by truck

Police said the victim, identified by family as 24-year-old Minh-Thi Nguyen, was riding through the intersection of Hampshire and Portland streets Friday morning when a truck turning right onto Portland Street collided with her bicycle. She was taken to Mass General Hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries. The truck driver remained at the scene.

Nguyen was a student at MIT. Flowers were laid at the intersection where Nguyen died. Her death has devastated cyclists in Cambridge and prompted calls for the city to do more to protect cyclists.

“Sometimes it feels unsafe, I bike really slowly,” said Zack Facco, a Cambridge resident. “People are cycling in and out all the time and that’s why we have all these bike lanes which are great, but people park on them all the time and ride in all the time which can be tough. I feel for them, you can’t say anything for them but it’s awful.”

Implementation of Vision Zero

Cambridge’s Vision Zero aims to reduce road deaths by introducing 20 mph speed limits, banning right turns on red lights and improving cycle lanes, including a project along Hampshire Street that was completed in recent months.

“It’s just heartbreaking,” said Cambridge Deputy Mayor Marc McGovern. He said car ownership in the city was declining while cycling was becoming more popular by the day and that infrastructure changes might not be enough to make a difference.

“Many people use our roads in many different ways, and our roads are not really designed for that kind of use,” McGovern said. “We need to slow down and be more careful.”

“Knowing that it’s a 24-year-old graduate student at MIT with her whole life ahead of her is just heartbreaking,” said Christopher Cassa, a volunteer with the Cambridge bicycle safety group. He suggested installing pedestrian islands to slow drivers’ speeds and improve visibility at intersections. “Drivers usually go a little too fast on the curves and can’t see people. I couldn’t believe this happened again, it’s really a tragic, heartbreaking incident.”

The police said that the investigation into the accident is not yet complete. It is unclear whether charges will be brought against the truck driver.

Vigil and call to action

On Monday, bicycles lined the sidewalk in front of Cambridge City Hall. The public gathered for a ceremony that was part vigil, part call to action. Earlier this month, Kim Stanley was killed while cycling. The mother of two was on vacation from Florida.

Nguyen was on a bike lane on Hampshire Street that was constructed over the past six months.

“I think the support of all of you here is a perfect reflection of the deep community she wanted to build,” said Nguyen’s friend Nick Krasnow.

Nguyen has been ranked as one of the top students in the country, and her friends and family feel like she is just getting started.

“The streets don’t belong to cars. The streets are for everyone,” McGovern said. “We have to understand that transportation is changing.”