According to the report, Sabini and the driver of a Honda Crosstour were headed west on the road when the cyclist turned left from the bike lane into the path of the Honda. Police concluded the turn was unsafe and caused the collision. The driver struck Sabini with the right front corner of the Honda, braked and came to rest in the westbound lane. Sabini was thrown off his bike during the crash and collided with the hood, windshield and roof of the Honda.<\/p>\n
Authorities said Sabini was pronounced dead after being taken by ambulance to Kaiser Permanente Vacaville Medical Center. Sabini\u2019s mother, Rucha Powers, and father, Keith Sabini, believe he died on impact, based on what Powers said on-site EMTs told them.<\/p>\n
\u201cDied later at the hospital sounds like he had a chance, and he really didn\u2019t,\u201d Powers told The Sacramento Bee in May.<\/p>\n
The Solano County Coroner\u2019s Office later determined Sabini died from a blunt-force head injury.<\/p>\n
Many items logged as physical evidence at the scene \u2014 outside of vehicle debris, a brown sweater, backpack, U-lock, keys and scuff marks \u2014 were blacked out in the report. Black over-the-ear headphones were also found at the site. UC Davis video cameras had captured Sabini riding while wearing similar black headphones near the intersection of Hutchison Drive and West Health Sciences Drive before the crash.<\/p>\n
Police determined the Honda driver was going about 35 to 40 mph before the collision, below the 45 mph speed limit. The driver told police she was going about 35 mph and was trying to pass Sabini before the crash happened, and said she was not using her cellphone. She called 911 after the collision several passersby stopped and performed CPR until medical personnel arrived, according to statements from the driver and other witnesses.<\/p>\n
A witness who told police he was traveling behind the Honda said Sabini\u2019s sudden turn \u201clooked like it may have been accidental, like the bicycle rider had lost his balance.\u201d<\/p>\n
Advocacy continues<\/p>\n
Cycling advocates and other community members rallied after his death and have been pushing for better bicycle infrastructure on the portion of Hutchison Drive west of Highway 113. The conclusion made by police does not change that mission, Sabini\u2019s parents said Thursday. If anything, they said, it further proves their point that safer routes are needed for cyclists.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just proof positive that there should be a separate bike lane for cyclists out there,\u201d said Sabini\u2019s mom Rucha Powers. \u201cA student was trying to get to where he was supposed to go, and he had no room for error.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a strong, confident cyclist. He would not have left the bike lane unless there was an obstacle,\u201d Keith Sabini said Thursday. Lincoln Sabini was a member of the UC Davis triathlon sports club, was involved with the Davis Bike Collective and cycled regularly.<\/p>\n
Police said in the report that the reason Sabini turned left was unknown. Investigators found the bicycle\u2019s steering and drivetrain components appeared to have been in working order before the collision.<\/p>\n
The section of Hutchison Drive where Sabini was struck \u2014 west of Highway 113 \u2014 was described by many cyclists as a dangerous spot that is only traveled when necessary.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the only place on campus where there\u2019s 45 mile an hour (speed limit) with no protection for cyclists who are students going to class,\u201d said Aaron Shaw, a cycling advocate.<\/p>\n
![\"Aaron](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/SAC_1819_262005_JV_Ride_Silence.JPG\" "\\"SAC_1819_262005_JV_Ride_Silence.JPG\\"")
Aaron Shaw highlights letters on the sign to remember Lincoln Sabini, a UC Davis student who was killed in a cycling crash, before a memorial ride in Davis on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. UC Davis police completed its investigation into the fatal crash and allowed the public to access a partially-redacted copy of the police report on Thursday. JOS\u00c9 LUIS VILLEGAS jvillegas@sacbee.com <\/p>\n
Shaw and other community members are working to convince university leaders that changes need to be made to prevent another death. The advocates want protected and separated bike lanes along Hutchison Drive<\/a>. Specifically, they are pushing for the construction of what they have dubbed the \u201cLincoln Loop\u201d \u2014 a connected loop of bike lanes along Road 98, Hopkins Road and Hutchison Drive.<\/p>\n Powers, Keith Sabini and others met with multiple stakeholders over the summer to discuss improvements. These meetings included representatives from UC Davis, the city of Davis, Yolo County Supervisor Lucas Frerichs, whose district includes Davis and southwest Yolo County, and Rep. Mike Thompson, who represents part of Yolo County.<\/p>\n Overall, Powers said it has been a \u201cfrustrating,\u201d \u201cdisappointing\u201d and \u201cmediocre\u201d process. The university, she said, told them it needed to wait for the police investigation to wrap up before any changes would be made.<\/p>\n A UC Davis spokesperson did not answer specific questions regarding the situation but said in a statement: \u201cUC Davis has a long-standing commitment to bicycle safety, with ongoing investments in training and campus infrastructure to better serve cyclists, scooter riders, and pedestrians. Building on that history, the university set aside $20 million in 2023 for improvements to campus roads and paths and training programs. Additional initiatives, including Moving Forward Together<\/a>, are in the planning stages.\u201d<\/p>\n Shaw said some parts of Hutchison Drive were restriped and some faded bike lane signs were replaced this summer after he and others brought up the issue. Outside of that, he has felt a lack of action from university leaders.<\/p>\n \u201cWe just want them to recognize that there\u2019s a problem,\u201d Shaw said, adding he plans to continue pushing for change.<\/p>\n This story was originally published September 17, 2026 at 3:25 PM.<\/p>\n Related Stories from Sacramento Bee<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/SAC_0327_262005_JV_Ride_Silence.JPG\" "\\"SAC_0327_262005_JV_Ride_Silence.JPG\\"")
A ghost bike is covered in flowers on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, to remember Lincoln Sabini, a UC Davis student who was killed while cycling, near the crash site on Hutchison Drive. UC Davis police completed its investigation into the fatal crash and allowed the public to access to a partially-redacted copy of the police report on Thursday. JOS\u00c9 LUIS VILLEGAS jvillegas@sacbee.com <\/p>\n
![\"Profile](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1789724547_753_Smalstig-Madison.jpg\")