Bicyclist critically hurt in crash on U.S. 441 near Micanopy

A bike rider from New Jersey was critically injured Monday afternoon after going through the windshield of a Honda Civic on U.S. 441. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Jayne Henry, 54, was apparently on her way back to Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park — where she had been earlier in the day — when she pulled in front of a Honda Civic on U.S. 441. Trooper Richard Crawford said Henry was headed south in the bike lane alongside U.S. 441. As Henry approached the left turn lane for the park entrance on Savannah Road, “She traveled across both southbound lanes directly in front [of the Honda], which caused the left side of the bicycle to collide with the right front of the [Honda],” Crawford wrote in a report on the accident. Following the impact, Henry became airborne and went through the windshield of the car, Crawford said. The car was being driven by April Ford, 19, of Summerfield. Ford and her passenger, Shaquita James, 18, were not physically injured, according to FHP, but were badly shaken by the accident. Henry was airlifted to Shands at the University of Florida in extremely critical condition with life-threatening injuries. The four-lane highway was closed briefly following the 3:45 p.m. accident to allow the Shands helicopter to land. Then one lane of the highway was opened in each direction to give troopers and others time and space to investigate the physical evidence at the scene. All four lanes of the highway had been reopened by sunset, troopers said. for more information please visit: http://www.ocala.com/article/20110411/articles/110419954