Fatal Bike Accident May Have Been a Case of Drowsy Driving

A fatal accident on Saturday could have been caused by a driver who fell asleep at the wheel.

According to reports from the Muskego Police Department, the 20-year-old man who struck bicyclist Robert Gunderson was driving down Woods Road on Saturday afternoon around 3:30 p.m. when he "began feeling drowsy," and "did not recall the moments just prior to striking the pole."

Gunderson, a Muskego resident, was riding his bike eastbound on the eastbound side of the road when the Toyota Scion, traveling westbound, crossed over to strike Gunderson, according to witness statements, and crashed into a utility pole, causing it to lean. As a result, Woods Road was closed for several hours to secure the pole.

Gunderson was pronounced dead at the scene by the county medical examiner, but he had no identification. His family was notified after they contacted police around 7:30 p.m., saying he was missing and provided a description that matched police information on the victim. Photos taken at the scene of the accident confirmed his identity.

The driver lives in Milwaukee, and was on his way to work in Muskego when the crash occurred. He submitted to field sobriety tests, which indicated no alcohol in his system. 

Muskego police sent blood samples to the state's Crime Lab in Milwaukee, and have forwarded their report to the Waukesha County district attorney for further review. The results from the toxicology tests, as well as the Wisconsin State Patrol accident reconstruction report, could take up to several months to be completed.