Wife of Fall River mayor in ICU after being hit by car while biking

Former Olympic runner Judi St. Hilaire, 62, wife of Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan, is in intensive care after being struck by a car during a long bike ride on Sunday.

Coogan posted on Facebook that, while on a 60-mile ride with the Narragansett Bay Wheelmen, his wife and two other cyclists were hit by a car who ran a stop sign in Mattapoisett. 

“Twelve broken ribs, two broken collarbones, punctured lungs and she is in the ICU at Saint Luke’s as I write this,” he wrote.

The Mattapoisett Police Department officer told WPRI the incident is under investigation.

The post received over 1,000 comments and reactions, including from Coogan’s opponent in Tuesday’s mayoral election. On Tuesday voters will choose between Coogan and City Council President and challenger Cliff Ponte.

“Judi is sorry she’s going to miss these last few days of the campaign, but that’s the least of our concerns,” Coogan wrote. “She still loves to bike and will be back to riding after plenty of recovery and rehab. Say a prayer for her if you can.”

St. Hilaire is a former Olympic athlete and decorated runner. She competed in the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, placing eighth in the 10K. She also competed in the 1991 World Championships where she placed seventh in the 3,000 meters.

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