A triathlete who was nearly killed in a Lake County hit-and-run is now back competing — and using her recovery to push for safer roads.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office says there were 97 bicycle crashes in Lake County last year, 6 of those resulting in deaths.
Survivor Gabrielle Suver said she was sideswiped while riding along County Road 455 and left fighting for her life.
“I wasn’t sure if I was going to be paralyzed or if I was going to make it,” Suver said.
Suver said the crash left her with a broken back in three places, nine broken ribs, a broken leg and other serious injuries.
“They had to put some screws in my ankle and also my knee,” Suver said. “They also had to insert rods through my knee.”
Despite the injuries, Suver is now back racing. Since May, she said she has completed two triathlons.“I’m blessed that I’m still here, and I believe there’s a reason,” Suver said.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is also using “Best Foot Forward Month” to spotlight what it says is a growing number of pedestrian and bicycle crashes across the county.
The post also knows that there was 140 pedestrian crashes last year, 11 of which resulted in death.
Suver and her attorney have launched a petition calling for tougher laws to better protect cyclists and pedestrians.
“The petition is supposed to help increase the penalties for reckless driving,” Suver said.
She also says The proposal would increase the minimum passing distance on roads with speed limits of 65 mph or higher and create a vulnerable road user compensation fund to help victims of hit-and-run crashes.