Cyclist dead after being struck by pickup truck in Villeray

A 67-year-old man has died after he was struck by a pickup truck while he was riding his bikenorth on Lajeunesse Boulevardin Montreal's Villerayneighbourhood.

The collision happened at around 5:30 a.m. Thursday and comes following reportsthat the city's number of pedestrian fatalities so far this year, at 14, isthe highest of any year-to-date statistic in recordedhistory.

The cyclist was taken to hospital in critical condition, but died hours later. He becomes the third cyclist to die on the road in Montreal this year.

Montreal police said the driver, a 64-year-old man, was driving west onCrmazieBoulevard.

Montreal police spokespersonConst.BenoitBoissellesaid witnesses told investigators the pickup truck had been crossing Lajeunesseon a green light.

"So we don't know if the cyclist passed on red light. Was he already on the floor? We don't know the exact cause of the collision right now," he said.

The driver remained at the intersection and collaborated with police, Boisselle said, adding alcohol was determined not to have been a factor in the crash.

Crmazieis closed between St-Hubert and St-Denis streets, and Lajeunesse Boulevard is closed to the south ofCrmazie.