Cyclist Dies After Being Hit by Truck in West Loop: Police

A woman was fatally struck by a truck while riding a bicycle Thursday morning in the West Loop, authorities said.

About 7:10 a.m., the 39-year-old woman was riding the bike north on Halsted at Madison when she was hit by a dump truck making a right turn, according to Chicago police.

She was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where she was pronounced dead, police said.

The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office has not released information about the fatality.

"Unfortunately you just knew right away," said witness Mike Barabedian, who called 911. "I heard a couple of bystanders let out some screams and you just knew right away it was not good."

Residents in teh West Loop said the intersection is one of the most dangerous in the area.

Already congested and under construction, the space for bicyclists is smaller than ever. 

"It’s not a safe environment for anybody," said Kyle Whitehead, a spokesperson for Active Transportation Alliance. 

The group has been pushing for more city and state money to create safer streets. 

"We know that if we can provide, especially physical protection, not just lines on the street but a concrete barrier, using parking as a barrier, these things that show biking and people driving where they belong, will make streets safer for everybody," he said. 

Police said the crash remained under investigation Thursday. 

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