BUTTE – A multi-bike accident involving a motorist occurred on Hail Columbia Gulch Road on July 23.
According to authorities, Nikki Bettis of 32 Feet Up was biking with eight of her children when a vehicle sped past and clipped one child's bike, leading to a multi-bike crash. Several of the children sustained scrapes and bruises; however, no serious injuries were reported.
Bettis noted that one child's helmet was cracked during the incident. The motorist initially left the scene but returned to check on the riders. Bettis alleged that the driver and passenger appeared impaired, though she did not report the incident to law enforcement.
“Worst case scenario, worst nightmare come true, but everyone is alive. We might have a fracture, but it's not a compound fracture,” said Bettis. The family treated the injuries using their medkit and consulted with their physician via telehealth. All have been cleared to continue their 2,700-mile trek along the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route.
Emergency services were not called to the scene, and no further investigations are reported at this time.