Cyclist critically injured after collision with mail truck

BELLEAIR BEACH — A bicyclist was in critical condition Thursday night after running into a parked U.S. Postal Service delivery truck.

Authorities said a medical helicopter took Marcus W. Gray, 55, of Clearwater, to Bayfront Medical Center after the incident, which occurred just before 3:30 p.m.

Gray was riding his bicycle south on Gulf Boulevard when, for an unknown reason, he crashed into the back of the mail truck, parked in front of a home at 1720 Gulf Blvd.

The truck's lights were on and flashing, according to a news release from the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.

Gray sustained possible life-threatening injuries to his neck and head, officials said. Witnesses said he was wearing a helmet.

The mail delivery driver, 58-year-old John Howard Myers of Clearwater, was not injured. He had been delivering mail at the time of the accident.

The sheriff's Major Accident Investigation Team is investigating.