Pedestrian hit by cyclist last month dies from injuries

Struck in DC and TBD have the sad news that one of the two pedestrian hit by a cyclist on Nov 26 died from their injuries.  Police are still looking for the cyclist who fled the scene.

Police describe the cyclist as a Hispanic male with black hair wearing a gray hoodie and dark pants, and they say he was riding a "BMX-style" bicycle. He was riding east in the 600 block of Massachusetts and turned south into an alley. The two pedestrians were walking north through the alley towards Mass. The cyclist was last seen scooting into an alley off of H Street after the crash.

Anyone who saw or knows anything is asked to call Detective Scott Earhardt at (202) 698-0681 or the Command Information Center at (202) 727-9099.

I worry that hit-and-run suspects are a bit like missing persons, the chances of finding them after 48 hours are probably astronomically low. But I hope someone knows or hears something that can give the MPD a lead.

This is the first fatal bike-pedestrian crash in the region since 2007 when a pedestrian stepped out from between parked cars and was hit by a cyclist.

It's so rare that I only know of six in the region. The other four were:

In 1979 a cyclist hit a pedestrian at 10th and Penn, NW in DC and the pedestrian died

In 1983 a cyclist hit a pedestrian on 14th street, NW in downtown DC and the pedestrian died

In 1998 a cyclist hit a pedestrian in DC and the pedestrian died

On 6/4/2006 Paul Rossmeissl fell from his bike on the W&OD trail just east of Hunter Mill Road in VA and died from his injuries. It is believed he clipped a pedestrian, but that the pedestrian left the scene. This has never been confirmed despite an investigation.

Comments

[Geof Gee]

Given the popular -- and wildly biased -- statistic regarding pedestrian fatality as a function of vehicle velocity, the low number of pedestrian/cyclist fatalities is expected.

I'm referencing the study that says the likelihood of a fatality at 20, 30, and 40 mph is 5, 40, and 85%.

Since velocity is really the important factor here -- that is, unless the vehicle is on top of you -- and bicycles travel slower, they will naturally be much safer.

Of course, exposure could be an issue too.

[Chris]

This is really, really horrible news!