Cyclist struck by Metro Transit bus in Mpls. dies days later

A man hit by a Metro Transit bus while on his bike earlier this week died from his injuries Friday, friends and family members confirmed Saturday.

Michael Williams of Minneapolis was struck by a Route 19 bus near the intersection of Hwy. 55 and Morgan Avenue N. around 6 p.m. Monday.

The bus was headed east on Hwy. 55 toward downtown Minneapolis and slowed down as it approached a bus stop at the Morgan Avenue N. intersection, according to witness Trent Watkins, who was on the bus.

Williams, meanwhile, was biking south on Morgan Avenue N. toward the intersection to turn left.

No one got on the bus at the stop, so the driver accelerated to cross Morgan on a green light, Watkins said. Williams crossed the highway, cut in front of the bus and collided with its front right side.

Watkins said Williams was not wearing a helmet.

Metro Transit provided an accident report Saturday, which did not elaborate on the details of the collision.

Metro Transit spokesman Howie Padilla had not been informed of Williams' death, he said Saturday afternoon. Metro Transit police are investigating the collision.

The driver of the bus was temporarily pulled out of service, a standard procedure, Padilla said.

A GoFundMe account set up for Williams' family had raised more than $9,000 as of 1:30 p.m. Saturday. Friends and family held an informal memorial for Williams at Powderhorn Park Saturday afternoon.