Bicycling and pedestrians have become frequent targets for police officers in recent years, and the number of people killed in collisions with vehicles has increased dramatically in recent decades.
This year, at least 18 people died in collisions, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
In 2013, there were more than 2,500 collisions and more than 4,500 injuries, according a study published by the National Bureau of Economic Research.
The number of fatalities has remained roughly the same since 1999, with an average of 10 people killed each year, according the National Safety Council.
The latest deaths occurred on Wednesday when a 21-year-old bicyclist was killed in a collision with a pickup truck on a rural road in eastern North Carolina.
The crash happened just before 4 p.m. on the Hixon County Road 4 east of Easley, North Carolina, according WNCN-TV.
The driver of the truck, a 20-year old man from North Carolina who also had a history of mental health issues, was taken to an area hospital and later died, according with WNCNT-TV, which said he was in critical condition.
The state Bureau of Public Safety did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
According to the study, bicycle riders are five times more likely to be injured than motorists, and that there were two other people killed and 19 seriously injured in crashes with vehicles between 2012 and 2014.
The National Highway Safety Administration reported that in 2015, more than 1.7 million people were killed in traffic crashes.
In 2014, there was an average death toll of 4.7 people per 100,000 people, according an Associated Press analysis.
Last year, the number was 1.6, according.
A woman who lives in the community of Wiesbaden was on her way home from work when she was struck by a pickup, according WBTV-TV of Wausau, Wisconsin, which reported that the woman had been struck by the driver of a pickup who fled the scene.
The victim’s husband, who was riding with her, was seriously injured.
“We were all very shaken up, it was a really scary situation,” said her husband, John.
“I have no idea how we got through it.
It’s really scary, it’s just so tragic.”
According to WBTV, the driver was arrested on charges of driving while intoxicated and failing to stop.
A state law that went into effect in December 2017 requires that drivers of pickup trucks, buses, tractors, and other vehicles be licensed and registered and wear helmets.
That law has been criticized for allowing more people to ride their bicycles, which is not recommended, as it is unsafe for cyclists.
The law also says people must have a seat belt on and that anyone riding a bicycle must wear a helmet.
The Wiesbaubenon-Hixon County Sheriff’s Office told WBTV that the truck driver was taken into custody without incident.
The cause of the crash was not immediately available.
WNCNN-TV reported that police responded to the crash scene and that the driver had been taken to the hospital.
“The investigation is ongoing,” the WNCNCNT reported.