County, driver sued in cyclist’s death

The family of Chico doctor William Doherty—who was killed in a bicycling crash last year on Cohasset Road between Chico and Cohasset—has sued Butte County and the driver who struck him, according to court documents reviewed by the CN&R.

The wrongful death suit alleges the county failed to maintain a deteriorated portion of Cohasset Road near Sigler Lane, where Doherty, 75, was struck by a pickup on July 28, 2018, driven by Jim Voyles, 88, of Chico.

The suit, which alleges Doherty was hit as a result of the “dangerous condition” of the road, was filed last Wednesday (Aug. 14) in Butte County Superior Court. The family is seeking unspecified monetary damages.

Voyles also has been charged with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter in connection with Doherty’s death, and he is scheduled to stand trial Dec. 9.