Manchester Police-Bicycle Accident

PUBLIC INFORMATION RELEASE

On May 30th, 2025, at approximately 21:02 hours, a Manchester Police Officer was traveling northbound on South 9th Street in an unmarked police unit. The officer stopped at the intersection after witnessing a juvenile riding a bicycle enter and leave the intersection without stopping. As the officer began to slowly accelerate after the first bicyclist was clear, he came into contact with another juvenile riding a bicycle. The officer immediately activated his warning signals and aided the juvenile bicyclist, calling for other units and medical aid. The Iowa State Patrol was called to officially investigate the accident. After reviewing several videos and physical evidence, Iowa State Patrol has determined the officer was not at fault for the incident, citing the juvenile bicyclist failed to yield at the intersection. Iowa State Patrol also outlined that the bicycle was without a light during hours required for darkness by state law and local ordinances, the juvenile was wearing dark clothing, and the intersection was not illuminated enough to see the juvenile traveling towards the intersection. The Manchester Police Department officer has been cleared of any wrongdoing or negligence in the incident.

In any accident involving Manchester Police Department vehicles or employees, the Police Department will reach out to another agency to investigate the incident, to ensure an unbiased investigation is completed. This is standard operating procedure for many police departments, and the Manchester Police Department followed that procedure with this incident.

As a reminder, if walking or using a bicycle in hours of darkness, please ensure you have a light affixed to your equipment or person, wear bright colored clothing to ensure you can be seen, and utilize caution at any intersection during your travel. This makes it easier for any vehicle to identify you and your method of travel. This is outlined in Manchester Code of Ordinances:

76.12 EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS.

Every person riding a bicycle shall be responsible for providing and using the equipment as provided herein:

1. Lamps Required. Every bicycle when in use at nighttime shall be equipped with a lamp on the front which shall emit a white light visible from a distance of at least three hundred (300) feet to the front and with a lamp on the rear exhibiting a red light visible from a distance of 300 feet to the rear except that a red reflector on the rear, of a type which shall be visible from all distances from fifty (50) feet to 300 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful upper beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle, may be used instead of a rear light.

Any questions regarding the investigation of this incident can be directed to the Iowa State Patrol.

- Released by Chief Benjamin Davis