Mpls. police urge caution after rash of accidents

Minneapolis police are urging everyone on the roads to use caution following four incidents involving pedestrians or bicyclists in the last week.

Minneapolis police Sgt. Steve McCarty said a female bicyclist was killed Thursday morning, after being struck by a large truck in Dinkytown.

A dump truck was turning west onto 4th Street when it collided with the cyclist, McCarty said, adding that she was dead when police arrived.

The Hennepin County Medical Examiner's office identified the bicyclist as Kimberly Yeong Sil Hull, 25, of St. Paul.

"Motorists need to be ready as more bicyclists join traffic, and bike riders need to help drivers by heeding traffic and road rules, and wearing bright, reflective gear and helmets," Nathan Bowie, a Department of Public Safety spokesman said in an email interview.

Last Friday, a University of Minnesota student was struck by a vehicle in Dinkytown. Benjamin Van Handel died of his injuries this afternoon according to a spokeswoman for Hennepin County Medical Center. Police said other incidents this week in Minneapolis include a pickup truck driver striking a pedestrian downtown. A woman hit by a taxi in Uptown last weekend has died.