CHP Identifies Benicia Man Who Hit Turkey Flock While Riding a Bicycle

Update: October 22, 2012

The San Francisco Chronicle is reporting that the California Highway Patrol has identified the 51-year-old Benicia man as Craig Elstins.

Officer John Fransen said Elstins was traveling at about 40 mph on Alhambra Road when his path was suddenly blocked by a flock of wild turkeys.

Elstins is in critical condition.

October 21, 2012

By Bay City News Service

A Benicia man riding his bicycle in El Sobrante crashed and suffered major injuries Saturday after he collided with a flock of wild turkeys, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The victim, a 51-year-old Benicia resident, was riding west on Alhambra Road around 7:45 a.m. when a flock of turkeys ran in front of his path, CHP officials said.

He collided with the birds and was thrown from his bike into the road, causing head trauma, broken ribs and a broken jaw. The man was taken to John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek for treatment. He was wearing a bicycle helmet at the time of the crash, the CHP said.

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