SUNSET HILLS • St. Louis County police are taking over the investigation of a traffic incident here in which a man claims the mayor intentionally knocked him off his bicycle with a car. The mayor denies it.

Randy Murdick, of Fenton, called for an outside investigation of the circumstances. He said Mayor Mark E. Furrer swore at him and then intentionally swerved into his bike Tuesday afternoon. Furrer insists that he did not hit Murdick and that the rider had been the one yelling profanities.

Sunset Hills police were called to the scene.

Police Chief William LaGrand said Thursday he was confident his department could do a proper investigation but realized that perception is important, too. “I want the people in the community of Sunset Hills and in the larger community to know how we are committed to an honest and full investigation, and to further that purpose, we’ve asked the county police to step in,” LaGrand said.