Miami, Florida — The driver who struck a prominent orthopedic surgeon while he was riding his bicycle on the Rickenbacker Causeway has received a traffic citation following a police investigation, while the injured doctor remains in critical condition in a hospital intensive care unit.
The Miami Police Department confirmed that the driver was issued a summons for improper lane change on Wednesday. Investigators determined that there was no criminal intent involved in the crash that seriously injured 63-year-old Dr. Gilbert Beauperthuy-Rojas.
The decision followed an extensive investigation and consultations with assistant state attorneys, according to information provided by police to Local 10 News on Thursday.
Driver Cited After Investigation Into Miami Cycling Crash
The citation follows a crash that left Beauperthuy-Rojas with extensive injuries while he was cycling along the Rickenbacker Causeway in Virginia Key.
According to the Miami Police Department, investigators found no criminal intent in the collision. Instead, the driver received a traffic summons for an improper lane change.
Police initially reported that the driver was cooperating with investigators. The department’s latest update confirms that the investigation did not establish criminal intent.
The citation represents the outcome described by authorities following their review of the incident. The available information does not indicate whether the driver has paid a fine or contested the summons.
How the Crash Left the Miami Surgeon Seriously Injured
Beauperthuy-Rojas was struck by an SUV on the morning of August 29 while riding his bicycle on the Rickenbacker Causeway. Miami Fire Rescue crews transported him to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center after the collision.
His brother-in-law, Carlos G. Mendia, previously described the severity of the doctor’s injuries. According to Mendia, Beauperthuy-Rojas suffered damage to his liver and kidneys, cuts across his body and a spinal cord injury.
“He has some liver and kidney lacerations. He had cuts all over his body. He has a spinal cord injury. So far, the indications are that he has no movement or ability to move from the waist down,” Mendia said at the time.
The injuries have raised serious concerns about the surgeon’s recovery. Relatives confirmed Thursday that Beauperthuy-Rojas remains in the intensive care unit in critical condition.
The family has not provided further details about his current neurological condition or long-term prognosis in the information available.
Family Raises Concerns About Cyclist Safety
Following the collision, Mendia called attention to the dangers cyclists face on the Rickenbacker Causeway and urged public officials to take steps to improve safety along the busy roadway.
“It’s extremely dangerous. I plead with the officials, public officials, to find a solution to this,” Mendia said. “This is senseless.”
Mendia also explained that Beauperthuy-Rojas was an avid cyclist and had introduced him to cycling in 2010. According to Mendia, the surgeon had been riding alone in the designated bicycle lane when the SUV struck him.
The crash has renewed attention on the risks cyclists can face when sharing roads with motor vehicles, particularly along routes used by both recreational riders and regular traffic.
The family’s concerns center on finding ways to reduce the possibility of similar collisions and make cycling safer.
Who Is Dr. Gilbert Beauperthuy-Rojas?
Beauperthuy-Rojas is an orthopedic surgeon affiliated with HCA Florida Mercy Hospital. He has spent decades treating patients with sports-related injuries and degenerative conditions and previously served as president of the Miami Orthopaedic Society.
Following the crash, colleagues at HCA Florida Mercy Hospital expressed support for the injured physician and described him as a valued member of the medical community.
“They not only describe him as a great physician, but a great person,” hospital spokesman Henry Garcia previously told.
His serious injuries have been a concern for relatives, colleagues and members of the local medical community as he continues receiving intensive care.
What Happens Next in the Case?
The latest police update establishes that the driver received a traffic summons for improper lane change and that investigators did not establish criminal intent.
The available information does not provide a detailed timeline for any further legal proceedings related to the citation.
Meanwhile, Beauperthuy-Rojas remains in critical condition, according to his relatives. His recovery and the family’s calls for improved cycling safety remain central concerns following the collision.
The incident has also prompted renewed discussion about the dangers cyclists face on the Rickenbacker Causeway and whether additional safety measures could help prevent similar crashes.
Do you think more safety measures are needed to protect cyclists on busy roads like the Rickenbacker Causeway? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
