Five amateur cyclists in the 1000 Warriors race were injured when a black sport utility vehicle riding in front of them slammed on its brakes causing a chain reaction crash Saturday morning.
Riders were winding along state Route 92 near Timpanogos Cave about 9:30 a.m. when the SUV stopped. Two participants struck the rear of the vehicle and three others crashed trying to avoid it, according to a release from the Utah Department of Public Safety.
One participant was knocked unconscious and flown by helicopter from the scene in critical condition. Two others were taken to local hospitals in poor condition, and the remaining two sustained minor injuries that were treated at the scene.
The release states that witness reports vary but acknowledge that a red SUV traveling in front of the black SUV may have contributed to the accident. No charges or citations were issued, but the incident likely will be screened by the county attorney.
The 1000 Warriors race was held to raise money for injured veterans, and the course followed Saturday's Tour of Utah route, but the two events were unrelated, said Patrick Commiskey, an organizer for the event.
S.R. 92 was closed to traffic for about an hour following the crash.