Local competitive athlete critically injured in a hit-and-run cycling accident

FOUNTAIN, Colo. (KRDO) -- Neal Oseland was hit while cycling Saturday in Fountain. The car that hit him fled the scene and left Oseland to be discovered by other cyclists, lying injured on the pavement before being airlifted to Memorial Hospital.

Doctors there diagnosed Oseland with a broken scapula, five broken ribs, a bruised lung, road rash, a concussion, and mild amnesia. Beyond the injuries he physically sustained, Oseland's tri-bike was destroyed.

"July 24th, he did his 14th Ironman," said Kamiko Ritchey, Neal's family friend. "And to think that he just did a marathon after a long swim and a long, long bike, that the other day he's celebrating walking a hundred yards in the hallway of a hospital.”

Oseland was traveling the Fountain Loop, a route he has traveled countless times, and a route many cyclists travel to because it is known to be remote and safe.

At 7:55 a.m., Colorado State Patrol received the call that a cyclist had been hit.

The Hanover Fire Department was en route when they got the update that this was not a simple biking accident, but an altercation with a vehicle.

Neal says the car was going west, and he was going east, when he started to see the car drifting into the opposite lane toward him.

“All of a sudden, he wakes up on on the side of the road in a pretty bad situation," said Ritchey.

The driver of the black truck that hit him fled the scene after clipping Oseland's body. Though the truck never hit the bike, the accident left Oseland's bike inoperable.

"Not a lot of air to get out of a loud cry for help because he has bruised lungs," said Ritchey. "He had five broken ribs, his shoulder blade was broken, and just complete road rash on an entire side of his body.”

First responders made the decision to airlift Oseland to the hospital due to the severity of his injuries. The hospital discharged Oseland Tuesday night, but the family estimates Oseland will be spending at least the next twelve weeks recovering.

He wants the community to use his story as a reminder to avoid distracted driving and stay alert even on remote roads.

“No matter how careful you are, how much experience you have, it can still happen to anybody and that's terrifying," said Ritchey.

You can donate to help with Neal's medical expenses, injuries, and rehabilitation costs through this verified GoFundMe.