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6 cyclists injured by pickup truck in Texas

WALLER, Texas — Six cyclists from Texas were hospitalized Saturday after being hit by a pickup truck northwest of Houston, authorities said.

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According to the Waller County Sheriff’s Office, the cyclists, from the Houston area, were hit by the pickup approximately two miles west of Waller, KRIV reported. Four of the cyclists had to be transported to an area hospital, with two flown by helicopter, the television station reported.

One of the cyclists was treated for head trauma, KTRK reported.

The other two cyclists declined emergency transport, according to the Houston Chronicle.

“There was no reason for this to happen,” one rider, Chase Ferrell, told the newspaper.

Ferrell said he was riding with the cyclists as part of a training ride for an upcoming Ironman Texas event, KRIV reported. Approximately 75 miles into their ride, Ferrell said a black diesel pickup truck slowed down near him and accelerated to blow smoke in his lane.

“The reason he couldn’t stop is because he was accelerating to blow more diesel fuel on these cyclists,” Ferrell told the television station. “He ended up hitting 3 people before his brakes even started.”

Ferrell said the driver, identified as a 16-year-old male, stayed at the scene and met with police.

The cyclist said the experience was scary.

“I thought someone was dead,” Ferrell told KRIV. “I heard a lot of crunching. I heard brakes. Tires screeching. People screaming.

“It wasn’t like he was on his phone. (He) definitely meant to try and scare these people (or) intimidate them in some way. (Maybe he then) made a mistake and ran them over.”