Actor Gene Hackman on Friday was taken to Ryder Trauma Center in Miami after a
pickup struck the bicycle he was riding in Islamorada, according to the
Florida Highway Patrol.
But Hackman's publicist, Susan Madore, told The Associated Press that
Hackman, 81, sustained bumps and bruises, enabling him to be released from the
hospital several hours later.
Hackman was heading southbound near the 88 mile marker on the Old Highway
around 3 p.m. when struck from behind by the right front fender of a 2007
Toyota Tundra driven by Kathryn Rodriguez, 60, of Islamorada, FHP Sgt. Thomas
E. Pikul said.
"We're not sure who was at fault yet because that's still under
investigation but the vehicle hit the bicycle and he was ejected off the bike
and airlifted to Ryder Trauma with leg and bodily injuries," Pikul said.
Hackman was said to be awake and alert and in good condition as he was
being transported to the hospital in Miami, according to Pikul.
Hackman won Oscars as best actor in The French Connection and best
supporting actor in Unforgiven. He was nominated five times. The veteran
actor's first big movie role was in Bonnie and Clyde in 1967.
The 2007 Tundra model was among 4 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles
recalled in 2009-2010 to repair accelerator pedal problems.
