Sally Meyerhoff, star runner, dies in bike crash

MARICOPA, Ariz. - Runner Sally Meyerhoff, the winner of the women's 2011 P.F. Chang's Rock 'n Roll Marathon, has been killed in a traffic accident.

City of Maricopa spokeswoman LaTricia Woods says in a news release that Meyerhoff was struck by a pickup truck Tuesday afternoon while riding her bicycle in Maricopa, south of Phoenix. She was killed instantly.

Meyerhoff, 27, earned her first marathon victory in the P.F. Chang's marathon in Phoenix in January and qualified for the 2012 Olympic Marathon Trials.

Maricopa police are investigating the accident.

CBS affiliate KPHO reports that a preliminary investigation indicates Meyerhoff failed to yield at the intersection when she collided with the pick-up, according to police.

KPHO: Sally Meyerhoff killed in traffic accident

Meyerhoff's fatal bike crash one of hundreds each year

There were no indications of impairment of the driver, police said.

Meyerhoff was currently training for the 2012 Olympic Marathon Trials and the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii, according to RunningAdvice.com. In college, Meyerhoff ran for Duke University where she won several ECAC titles, including the 5000-meters outdoors in 2004, and the 3000-meters indoors in 2005.

[illcountryboy]

amulette: try you are or you're. Dang illegals ought to learn the language

[documemts]

Not surprised. Couple of years ago a husband and wife ultra-marathoners were both made invalids in Maricopa County by a car hitting them. I was at the scene when a bicyclist was sideswiped by a car. "Sheriff" Arpaio doesn't do anything about anything unless it will get his name in the paper.

[Sandra_4677]

The judgemental comments here make me sad. Go ahead and blame the person that died if you THINK you are superior *sigh* It could happen to any one of us. Go ahead and say dumb things like "Shouldn've stuck with running..." and make a joke. I hope you sleep well at night & never ever make a mistake.

[atomant59]

When I was a child, I was always taught "Not to Play In The Street". Now cities are passing laws alowing grown-ups to essentially ride their 30 Lbs toys along side of 3000 Lbs vehicles. There should be no surprise when these accidents occur and bicyclist are die!!!

[leftfreedomring]

RIP.

[amerilatino]

Should've stuck with running...