CEO of Connect Injured In Bicycle Accident

On July 21, Duane Roth, CEO of Connect, suffered a head injury in a bicycle accident, according to the Daily Transcript. Roth, 63, is an experienced rider and was wearing a bicycle helmet, according to reports. The cause of the accident is unknown.

“He was on a bicycle ride with several other people. He headed off the road and got a head injury,” said Ted Roth, Duane’s brother.

Whatever caused Roth’s accident, it ended with him hitting a rock embankment near Lake Cuyamaca. The force of the impact was so great that it caused his helmet to break. Roth was taken to UCSD Medical Center by helicopter, where he underwent surgery to relieve pressure on his brain by removing a piece of his skull. After his surgery, Roth was placed in the ICU in a medically induced coma.

“He will probably be in the ICU for four or five days,” said David Hale, a close friend of Roth’s and Connect board member.

While Roth recovers, the Connect executive committee has appointed former Connect chief operating officer Tyler Orion as interim president.

“My heart goes out to Duane Roth and the Roth family,” said Orion. “And I will do my best to work with the Connect board and team to ensure that there is strong continuity in maintaining Connect’s programs and services while we await Duane’s recovery.”

Although there are many bicycle safety laws and protections in place, more needs to be done. What happened to Roth is tragic regardless of what led to it. We wish the best to Duane Roth and his family during this difficult time.

Please visit our site for more information on bicycle accidents, and contact our firm today at (858) 261-5454 for a free consultation if you or a loved one has been injured because of someone else’s negligence.

Did you know?: Seventy percent of bicyclists killed in 2010 were not wearing a helmet.

Bonnici Law Group, APC—San Diego bicycle accident lawyer