Zdeno Chara, who played under head coach Claude Julien in Boston, has been cleared by police after a cycling collision in Slovakia.
The incident occurred around midday on Wednesday, July 29, while Chara was training on a cycling path near Beluša in the Púchov district.
According to police in the Trenčin region, a 56-year-old runner moved into the path of the 49-year-old cyclist. Chara couldn't avoid the collision, and the runner fell onto the roadway.
Chara immediately stopped and provided first aid. Emergency medical services and police were called to the scene, with an ambulance transporting the runner to a hospital for examination.
That response became the defining part of the story. Chara stayed at the scene, helped the injured man and cooperated with officers while they established what had happened.
Reports indicated that the runner changed direction unexpectedly. Police determined Chara wasn't responsible for causing the incident, removing the possibility of further action against the former NHL defenceman.
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Police investigation ends without further action for Zdeno Chara
"Police cleared Chara of fault, as the runner changed direction without warning. "
The runner's condition wasn't detailed by authorities beyond the hospital examination. Some local reports said he remained hospitalized, but no official diagnosis was released.
Chara's actions after the impact drew attention across Slovakia. Rather than leaving the response to bystanders, he took control of the scene and made sure medical assistance was requested.
The former Boston Bruins captain has remained committed to endurance sports since retiring from the NHL. Cycling and running have become major parts of his post-hockey training routine.
This incident could have created serious legal questions had investigators found reckless conduct. Instead, the police account placed the runner's sudden movement at the centre of the collision.
For Chara, the matter now appears closed. The ambulance was called, the runner received medical attention, and police found no reason to pursue the case further.
Did Zdeno Chara handle the cycling incident perfectly?
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