Woodland, CA (March 26, 2025) – A 52-year-old man was killed Wednesday morning when a tractor collided with his bicycle on a rural road west of Woodland, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Accident Details: The crash occurred around 8:15 a.m. as Michael Casper Lewis was riding eastbound in the bike lane on County Road 29, just west of Highway 113. A tractor traveling in the same direction struck Lewis from behind. CHP reports that the 60-year-old driver, also from Woodland, did not see the cyclist before the impact.
Emergency crews arrived on scene and pronounced Lewis dead. The tractor driver was not injured. Authorities say impairment is not suspected in the incident.
Legal Considerations: Collisions involving bicycles and farm equipment often raise questions about visibility and driver awareness. CHP will likely assess whether the tractor operator was maintaining a safe lookout and whether the equipment was suitable for use on public roads.
If evidence confirms that the driver failed to observe the cyclist in time or drifted into the bike lane, Lewis’s family could pursue a civil claim for wrongful death based on negligent operation of a vehicle.
Ongoing Investigation: CHP’s Woodland office is continuing to investigate the incident. Officers have asked anyone with information to contact them at 530-702-6250. No charges or citations have been announced as of Thursday.
I send my deepest condolences to the loved ones of Michael Casper Lewis as they mourn his loss.
Source: The Davis Enterprise