Two cyclists were hospitalised after being struck by a vehicle on Sunday during the 2nd Annual Bill Bone Olympic Triathlon at Okeeheelee Park in West Palm Beach, Florida — with one now fighting for her life.

Ashleigh Whitton, 45, of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, is in a medically induced coma, on a ventilator and paralysed from the neck down following the crash. A friend told reporters that Whitton was airlifted to hospital with severe spinal cord and brain injuries. Whitton’s family is raising money via GoFundMe to help pay for her long-term care, with over $44,000 raised so far. The second cyclist, Miguel Junior Gomez of Oakland Park, sustained minor injuries.

The collision occurred at 8:58 a.m. at the intersection of Forest Hill Boulevard and Pinehurst Drive. Driver Leonard Rosofsky, 74, of Boynton Beach, was travelling northbound attempting to enter the park when he struck the two cyclists, who were riding westbound in a lane closed to vehicular traffic for the event. Both were wearing helmets.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office said the driver ignored safety measures, but so far no charges have been filed. Race organiser Bill Bone told reporters that thousands of dollars were spent on more than 3,000 cones, signs, volunteers and sheriff’s deputies to keep athletes safe, adding that he was shaken to the core by the crash.

Whitton is a familiar name in Minnesota multisport circles. The marketing manager and fitness instructor turned heads at the 2025 Fairmont Triathlon, where she denied eight-time champion Stephanie Peterson another victory in a breakout performance driven by strong bike and run splits.

Bone, principal of Bill Bone Bike Law, also sponsors the statewide Bill Bone Pro-Am Race Series and has spent 30 years representing injured cyclists across Florida, securing more than one hundred million dollars in settlements and jury awards. The investigation by PBSO’s Traffic Division is ongoing.

Photo Credit: WPEC

© 2026 Copyright Gran Fondo Daily News – All Rights Reserved