Edward Eugene Proctor (6-5-2012)

Edward Eugene Proctor

(6-5-2012)

Avenue N at 29th Street

Galveston, Texas

Report from Chron.com

A tip from a wrecker driver led to the arrest of a motorist who allegedly hit and killed a bicyclist Saturday in Galveston, officials said.

Daryl Leslie Harris, 33, who was already in the Galveston County Jail after being arrested Sunday on a controlled-substance charge, was arrested Wednesday and charged with accident involving injury or death, a third-degree felony, said Lt. Michael Gray, spokesman at the Galveston Police Department.

Harris had begun serving a six-month jail sentence after pleading guilty to the controlled-substance possession and now is being held on $50,000 bond for the accident charge, Gray said.

Police tracked down Harris after a wrecker driver towed a Nissan Juke that appeared to have been involved in an auto-pedestrian accident, according to Gray.

The 70-year-old pedestrian, Edward Eugene Proctor, was riding his bicycle in the 2900 block of Avenue N when he was fatally struck by the motorist, who fled the scene, police said.

Harris, who was already in jail on unrelated charges, admitted his role in the fatal accident, Gray said.

Link: http://tinyurl.com/7dlmcfc

Report from Click2Houston.com

A man accused in a deadly hit-and-run accident in Galveston has been charged.

Galveston police said Daryl Leslie Harris was already in jail on unrelated charges when detectives served him with a warrant.

Investigators said Harris was driving an SUV around the 2900 block of Avenue N in Galveston on Saturday when he ran into and killed Edward Proctor as he rode a bicycle.

Officials said Harris then fled the scene.

Detectives said they were able to track Harris down after a wrecker driver reported towing a vehicle that may have been involved in the deadly accident.

Officials said a witness identified Harris as the driver of the SUV that killed Proctor.

Harris' bond for the hit-and-run was set at $50,000. He's been charged with accident involving injury or death, a third-degree felony.

Link: http://tinyurl.com/qdxtz83

Cruz Riojas (11-22-2011)

Cruz Riojas

(11-22-2011)

Sawyer St. at Summer St.

Houston, Texas

Mr.Riojas was trying to cross the intersection when hit by a motorist. Motorist said he had the green light. Cyclist was returning to work where he helped restore sculptures.

Bobby Brooks (10-15-2014)

Bobby Brooks

(10-15-2014)

Hansen Road at Airport Blvd.

Houston, Texas

Report from Chron.com

More details have been released after a 56-year-old bicyclist died Wednesday morning in a hit-and-run traffic collision when a school bus hit him as he crossed a street in southeast Houston.

The incident occurred about 6:30 a.m. at 9000 Airport near Hansen Road, said Kese Smith, a spokesman for the Houston Police Department.

Smith said the bicyclist was identified as Bobby Brooks.

Brooks was riding his bicycle southbound on Hansen and entered the pedestrian crosswalk. A yellow school bus that was traveling northbound on Hansen made a right turn onto West Airport and hit him.

The school bus, Smith added, had a green light. The driver did not stop after the collision.

Brooks died at the scene.

Smith said it is unclear what company or school district may operate the bus. 

A man who works in gasoline station/convenience store  near the site where the collision occurred said Brooks was a regular customer at the store. He was saddened by the death.

"He was a very good customer," said Phuong Dinh. "He was a nice man."

Link: http://tinyurl.com/p5a36ks

David Eric Rosenfeld (5-24-2015)

David Eric Rosenfeld

5-24-2015

Bissonnet St. and Newcastle St.

Bellaire, Texas

Report from Houston Chronicle:

If the unthinkable had to happen to a guy like David Rosenfeld, it would have played out this way.

On a bike. Doing good. Supporting people.

The 47-year-old husband, father of three, businessman and volunteer was fatally struck Saturday morning by a car while en route to a memorial bike ride for Jon Trevelise, a cyclist who also died after a driver ran over him last spring in Galveston.

The vice president of Unleaded Communications, a downtown Houston marketing and communications firm, was killed around 8 a.m. near the corner of Bissonnet and Newcastle.

Representatives from the Bellaire Police Department declined to release details or disclose whether there has been an arrest.

This weekend's loss - which adds another to the more than two dozen bicyclist deaths in Harris County in the last four years - shook the cycling community as well as the scores of people who loved and respected Rosenfeld.

'He was always cheery'

Danny Savitzky, co-owner of Planetary Cycles, a Meyerland bike shop, knew Rosenfeld from Houston's cycling universe and the local Jewish community.

"He was a good friend. He was always in a good mood. He was always cheery - even when he was under heavy deadlines and impossible chores. He always took it in good stride," said Savitzky, who also described Rosenfeld as a committed businessman and father as well as a cautious cyclist who valued safety. "I see some riders who are carefree and they do stupid things on the road. David was not that way. He was very aware of his surroundings. He was a very good cyclist and had very good bike handling skills and obeyed the laws of the road. That's what makes all of this even more unbelievable."

"He was a good friend. He was always in a good mood. He was always cheery - even when he was under heavy deadlines and impossible chores. He always took it in good stride," said Savitzky, who also described Rosenfeld as a committed businessman and father as well as a cautious cyclist who valued safety. "I see some riders who are carefree and they do stupid things on the road. David was not that way. He was very aware of his surroundings. He was a very good cyclist and had very good bike handling skills and obeyed the laws of the road. That's what makes all of this even more unbelievable."

Dylan Powell, Unleaded's creative director, raved about Rosenfeld's versatility.

"He was just such a balanced guy. He could talk about everything. He had these vast pockets of expertise from working for all of these clients over the years," he said. "Everyone at work loved him. He was really smart, really creative and good with people."

Powell also said Rosenfeld was never too busy to mentor him and many others at the firm.

"He did a good job helping clients and leading projects, but he helped everyone grow and do their best work. I appreciate that about him."

Founding member

Rosenfeld also was a founding member of Congregation Shma Koleinu, which began in late 2013 and meets in the fellowship hall of a Bellaire church.

Laura Max Rose, a spokeswoman for the congregation, said the members are "tremendously thankful to the number of people who have reached out to help the Rosenfeld family."

She said that Rosenfeld was a "light" in the group.

"He came up with our name - Shma Koleinu, which means 'Hear our Voice.' He came up with our logo and did all of our graphic design for us. He wanted to create a space where people's voices could be heard and people had integrity," Rose said. "He was a pillar of our community. To say that he will be missed in an understatement."

Rosenfeld is survived by his wife, two sons and one daughter.

His funeral is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Congregation Beth Yeshurun, 4525 Beechnut.

Those wishing to support the Rosenfeld family may send checks payable to the David Rosenfeld Family Memorial Fund, c/o Congregation Shma Koleinu, P.O. Box 1808, Bellaire, TX 77402.

Link: http://tinyurl.com/kwmh7by

Benjamin Mendez (9-27-2014)

Benjamin Mendez

9-27-2014

700 Block of Link Road

Houston, Texas

Original report from KTRK:

The search is on for a driver that hit a man and left him to die in the middle of the street. The hit-and-run happened around 11pm Saturday night in north Houston on Link near Airline. Police say the victim was riding his bicycle when he was hit by a pickup truck. The truck kept going and the cyclist died from his injuries. Right now police do not have a description of the truck involved.

Link: http://abc13.com/news/deadly-hit-and-run-pickup-driver-sought-after-cyclist-killed/327367/

Follow up report from AccidentDataCenter.com:

Officers said that days after the accident, Torres contacted investigators and said he was the driver who struck the bicyclist. Torres was arrested without incident and then charged. Police said Torres was driving along the 700 block of Link Road in the late-night hours Sept. 27 when he hit Jose Benjamin Mendez-Manzano, 63. According to Houston police, Eduardo Luna Torres, 30, has been charged with failure to stop and render aid involving death in connection with an incident Saturday night that left bicyclist Jose Benjamin Mendez-Manzano, 63, dead.

Link: http://tinyurl.com/n5wvx4f

Barbara Buxton (7-11-2011)

Barbara Buxton

7-11-2011

S. Dairy Ashford at Bissonnet Street

Houston, Texas

Information from Houston Chronicle map:

Cyclist was hit crossing intersection. Motorist said he had the green light and the cyclist tried to cross in front of him. 

Link: http://www.houstonchronicle.com/local/dying-to-ride/

Armando Arana (8-7-2012)

Armando Arana

8-7-2012

Jensen Drive at Newhoff Street

Houston, Texas

Report from Houston Chronicle:

A man riding a bicycle was killed Tuesday afternoon in a traffic accident northeast of downtown Houston.

Police said the man was westbound on his bicycle at Newhoff at 1:55 p.m. and ran a stop sign at Jensen. The cyclist was struck by a northbound sedan in the 2700 block of Jensen.

No charges are expected to be filed against the driver, who remained at the scene, police said.

The impact knocked off one of the man's shoes and caused damage to the car windshield.

No further information was immediately available.

Link: http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Bicyclist-killed-in-NE-Houston-traffic-accident-3769452.php

Anthony Martin Kingsley (2-9-2013)

Anthony Martin Kingsley

Struck 2-9-2013 Died 2-25-2013

28th Street at Harborside Drive

Galveston, Texas

Report from Galveston County Daily News:

A bicyclist seriously injured in a Feb. 9 accident with a car died Monday at the hospital, an official said.

Anthony Martin Kingsley, 49, of Galveston was bicycling north on 28th Street on Feb. 9 when he was struck at 6:30 p.m. by a Hyundai traveling eastbound on Harborside Drive, said John Florence, a spokesman with the Galveston County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Link: http://www.galvnews.com/news/police/article_507dcb96-7fcb-11e2-9950-0019bb30f31a.html

Adam Cantu (Date Unknown)

Adam Cantu

(Date Unknown)

Kress Road at I-10

Houston, Texas

Little is known about Adam Cantu's death. Please contact us if you can add any details about this incident.

Richard Allen Reazin, Jr. (1-9-2015)

Richard Allen Reazin, Jr.

1-9-2015

Hwy 146 at 2nd Avenue

Texas City, Texas

Report from Houston Chronicle:

Police arrested a 76-year-old Texas City man Friday in the hit-and-run death of a bicyclist whose body was dragged for a city block.

Rene Sanchez Sanchez was charged with failure to report an accident and render assistance, a second-degree felony, in the death of Richard Alan Reazin Jr., 49, Texas City police Capt. Brian Goetschius said.

Investigators are examining a video from a surveillence camera that shows Sanchez's red 2007 Dodge Ram 3500 pickup slamming into Reazin at the intersection of Second Avenue South and 35th Street about 6 p.m. Friday.

Sanchez faced a stop sign at the intersection but Reazin did not, Goetschius said.

Sanchez was traveling west on Second Avenue South and Reazin north on 35th Street, but investigators were still trying to determine whether Sanchez stopped at the intersection.

Evidence shows that Reazin and his bicycle were stuck to the front of the pickup and he was dragged for a full block with parts of his body in contact with the pavement, Goetschius said.

The body and bicycle either fell off or were removed from the front of the pickup in the parking lot of a bar a block from the intersection, he said.

Both men live within three blocks of the intersection at Second and 35th and police believe Reazin was on his way home.

Police identified the truck from the video and interviewed Sanchez at home before taking him to the police station for an additional interview.

He was arrested and booked into the Texas City Jail at 12:30 p.m.

If convicted, he faces from two to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. His bail was set at $50,000.

Link: http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Man-76-arrested-in-Texas-City-hit-and-run-death-6006700.php

Giovanni Moreno (2-24-2011)

Giovanni Moreno

2-24-2011

Clay Road at Kinloch Drive

Houston, Texas

Report from FOX 26 Houston:

A 12-year-old boy has died after deputies say his bicycle was struck by a pickup truck in northwest Harris County.

Deputies arrived around 8 p.m. Thursday to find the boy's body on Clay Road near Kinloch Drive. He was pronounced dead at the accident site.

The boy was trying to ride his bicycle across Clay Road when deputies say he moved in front of two vehicles. The driver of a car in the right lane slammed on the brakes and avoided crashing into the bicycle, but deputies say the driver of a truck in the left lane was not able to stop the vehicle in time and the boy was knocked off the bicycle.

The impact of the crash sent the boy across the median and he landed on the other side of Clay Road. The bicycle was found by deputies pinned below the truck.

Deputies say the driver of the truck was not speeding and was not impaired, so no charges are expected to filed in the boy's death.

Link: http://www.myfoxhouston.com/story/18177226/boy-killed-in-bicycle-truck-accident

Jospeh Farley (8-5-2014)

Joseph Farley

8-5-2014

Sens Road at North 12th Street

La Porte, Texas

Mr. Farley was a well-known fixture in the La Porte/Kemah area. He could be seen riding his unicycle throughout the area at all hours bringing a smile to many faces.

Report from KPRC: 

La Porte police are investigating after a man riding a unicycle was hit and killed Wednesday morning.

Officers say the unicyclist was riding near the intersection of Sens Road and North L Street when he was hit by an SUV and died at the scene.

Police say the unicyclist was wearing dark clothing.

The driver of the SUV told police he didn't see the victim, and will not face charges. 

The victim has been identified as 48-year-old Joseph Farley.

Link (& Video): http://www.click2houston.com/news/unicyclist-hit-killed-in-la-porte/27329622 

Lorenzo Salas Guerra (9-8-2014)

Lorenzo Salas Guerra

9-8-2014

7 Mile Lane at Hopper Road

Houston, Texas

Mr. Guerra was well known in his neighborhood for collecting cans on his bike. This bike was placed soon after his death and the memorial placed by his family can be seen in the background.

Report from KHOU:

A 79-year-old man riding his bicycle was struck and killed by a driver Monday night in northeast Houston.

"He'd give you the shirt off his back and the money out of his pocket," said Theresa Guerra, the victim's daughter-in-law. "He was the best man. He's been my father-in-law for 27 years. My kids loved him. Everybody."

Family members said Lorenzo only recently started riding his bike after he was hit by another car back in December but survived. Police have not said if charges will be filed against the driver.

Link (Text & Video): http://www.khou.com/story/news/local/2014/09/09/cyclist-struck-killed-in-ne-houston/15319645/

Anthony Dwight (4-14-2005)

Anthony Dwight

4-14-2015

Oak Forest Dr. at W. 43rd St.

Houston, Texas

Anthony Dwight's bike has been adopted by many in the Oak Forest neighborhood. The photo shown here was taken soon after the 10 year anniversary of his death.

Report from Houston Police Department:

Houston police are investigating a fatal traffic accident in the 4300 block of Oak Forest about 2:50 p.m. on Thursday (Apr. 14).

The victim is identified as Anthony Dwight, 10, of 1235 Curtin. The child was pronounced dead at the scene.

HPD Traffic Division Sergeant R. Gonzales and Officer D. Erton reported:

Witnesses said the driver of a 1997 Chevrolet Suburban, Marcella Mendez, 43, was attempting to travel south on Oak Forest from a parking lot. The driver paused at the street long enough to check for traffic and did not see the child riding the bicycle toward her. As she turned onto the street, she struck the bicycle.

The investigation is ongoing.

JFC/RMM 4-15-05

Inc #057030305

Link: http://www.houstontx.gov/police/nr/2005/apr/nr041505-3.htm

Nabor Rosas-Inclan (1-12-2014)

Nabor Rosas-Inclan

1-12-2014

8200 Harrisburg Blvd

Houston, Texas

A social bike ride was scheduled to meet at the site for the placement of the Ghost Bike.

Report from Houston Police Department:

Fatal Traffic Accident at 8200 Harrisburg

January 14, 2014 - Houston police are investigating a fatal traffic accident at 8200 Harrisburg about 12 a.m. on Monday (Jan. 13).  

The male victim, 40, was pronounced dead at the scene.  His identity is pending verification by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.  

HPD Vehicular Crimes Division Sergeant J. Roberts and Senior Police Officer S. Gaona reported:  

About 7:45 p.m. on Monday, the victim's body was found in Brays Bayou at the above location.    

Further investigation and evidence from the scene determined the victim was possibly struck by an unknown vehicle while riding his bicycle northbound on Harrisburg and, as a result of the crash, landed in the bayou.  

Anyone with information in this case is urged to contact the HPD Hit and Run Unit at 713-247-4065 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.  

VHS/JFC  1-14-14

Inc. #005496014-K

Link: http://www.houstontx.gov/police/nr/2014/jan/nr01142014-1.htm

Article from houston.culturemap.com:

Houston police are asking the public for information about an apparent hit-and-run that left a cyclist dead in Brays Bayou — potentially the third fatal bicycle-vehicle collision in less than two months.

The body of 40-year-old Nabor Rosas-Inclan was discovered Monday at 7:45 p.m. by a pair of men fishing in the bayou just west of the Houston Ship Channel and near the eastern end of the Brays Bayou Bike Trail.

Evidence gathered at the scene has led investigators to believe the victim was riding north on Broadway as it turns into Harrisburg when he was struck by an unknown vehicle. The alleged crash — which occurred where the boulevard crosses the bayou — landed Rosas-Inclan in the water.

Spokesperson John Cannon with the Houston Police Department tells CultureMap that the man was last heard from late Sunday evening when he spoke with his roommate on his ride home from work. Police believe the accident happened shortly thereafter.

An investigation is ongoing, although no known witnesses have come forward as of Wednesday afternoon. Official autopsy results from the Harris County Forensics Institute are pending.

Community concerns

Though the exact circumstances surrounding Rosas-Inclan's death remain unknown, the sheer thought of yet another recent hit-and-run death has Houston's cycling community on edge.

Twenty-four-year-old Chelsea Norman was killed by a motorist along Waugh on Dec. 1, and Stephen Belle was fatally struck on Dec. 20 as he crossed Normandy near I-10 East. Neither case has been solved.

Bicycle advocate Fred Zapalac, who co-owns the popular Blue Line Bike Lab shops, feels that wide roads and flat geography make Houston an ideal city for cyclists. However, continual and often deadly collisions between bikes and vehicles prove that the city government can do more to protect vulnerable road users.

"City council passed a landmark safety measure in May that made driving closer that three feet to a cyclist a ticketable offense," he tells CultureMap. "But so far HPD hasn't enforced it at all . . . and few drivers even know about the law."

As of December, police had yet to write a single ticket for violating the new rule, according to the Houston Chronicle.

"Houston isn't any more or any less bike-friendly than other cities," Zapalac says. "But there's a prevailing attitude towards cyclists that still makes the city unsafe.

"The three-foot ordinance has the potential to save lives. Without enforcement though, its just a toothless law no one respects."

Link: http://houston.culturemap.com/news/city-life/01-15-14-another-high-and-run-death-has-cyclists-wondering-if-theyre-safe-on-houston-streets/

Larry Lott (3-30-2009)

Larry Lott

3-30-2009

S. Fry Rd. and Shillington Dr.

Katy, Texas

Report from blog.chron.com:

This has not been a very good week for Katy-area teens.

News of a 61-year-old Katy man, who has died from injuries he suffered after being hit by a car at the intersection of South Fry Road and Shillington earlier this week continues to unfold.

According to police reports, Larry Lott was riding his pedal cycle Sunday when Katy teen Kara Schuberth hit him. She is an 18-year-old senior at Taylor High School.

Lott, a former engineer with Exxon Mobil, was traveling westbound through the intersection of South Fry and Shillington on a pedal cycle at about 3:50 p.m., according to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. As he attempted to turn south onto Fry Road, a white 2003 BMW 325i hit him.

Lott was transported by LifeFlight to Memorial Hermann Hospital in critical condition and was pronounced dead Monday at 12:05 p.m., authorities said.

According to a statement from the sheriff’s office, Schuberth “failed to yield the right of way while turning left and struck a pedalcyclist attempting to travel eastbound through the intersection.”

It’s unclear if Schuberth will be charged in the incident, which is being investigated, but Harris County Sherriff’s Office spokeswoman Susan Card said Wednesday no charges have been filed so far.

There is an obituary in Thursday’s Chronicle. In remembering Lott, his family said:

We feel blessed that Larry was enjoying one of his favorite activities, bike riding, when he was taken home.

Lott’s family requests that in lieu of flowers, people make donations to Rebuilding Together Houston, Star of Hope Mission. A service was held Thursday for him at Kingsland Baptist Church.

It’s heartbreaking to report on sad incidents like this and that of Cinco Ranch High student Spencer Vogt who was found dead yesterday after being missing for nearly a week in our Katy community. I always wonder what we as a community can do to protect and teach our kids better.

Link: http://blog.chron.com/insidekaty/2009/04/service-held-for-katy-cyclist/

Miguel Mejia (9-13-2013)

Miguel Mejia

9-13-2013

2700 Fountainview

Houston, Texas

Cyclist hit by 18 wheeler at intersection as truck turned right. Driver said he never saw cyclist. No charges filed.

Chelsea Norman (12/1/2013)

Chelsea Norman

12-1-2013
1500 Waugh
Houston, Texas

Chelsea's death was one of the galvanizing forces behind the Houston Ghost Bike project and I felt it was appropriate that she should be the first post.

Original report taken from Houston Press:

Houston police are investigating a hit-and-run that sadly became a fatality Wednesday, when a 24-year-old woman died three days after being struck while riding her bicycle in Montrose.

There were no witnesses to the accident, which occurred on Waugh near West Gray the evening of Dec. 1, according to an HPD spokesman.

The victim, whose name was not released, suffered broken bones and head trauma and was taken to Memorial Hermann Hospital, where she had remained in critical condition.

Link: http://blogs.houstonpress.com/news/2013/12/hpd_bicyclist_dies_three_days.php

Follow up report taken from Channel 2:

A jury returned a guilty verdict Wednesday in the trial of a Houston woman accused in the hit-and-run death of a bicyclist a year ago. 

Margaret Mayer was convicted of hitting 24-year-old Chelsea Norman with her truck and failing to stop and render aid in December 2013. Norman was riding home on her bicycle after she finished work at Whole Foods. 

Four witnesses took the stand Wednesday, including an assistant medical examiner. Some of Norman's family left the courtroom before the testimony began. Others left in tears after it started.

Norman's friends and family members hugged and cried outside the courtroom after the verdict came in.

Her father, Randy Norman, says he doesn't care what sentence Mayer receives, all he has ever wanted is for her to accept responsibility for his daughter's death.

"Chelsea's family is happy with the outcome," said Randy Norman, after the verdict was read.  "Chelsea's extended family - that's the people at Whole Foods, of Montrose itself - are happy with the verdict."

Chelsea's death prompted Houston's cycling community to rally for justice.

"The cycling community in Houston is ecstatic with the verdict because this actually puts forward, once again, the idea that cycling safety is something that needs to be taken seriously in this community," Randy Norman said.  "We're talking about ending a human life.  It happens to be my daughter but it's up to society here, it's up to these jurors here, to figure out what my daughter's life is worth when it comes to somebody's inconvenience for the next two to 20 years."

Mayer could face up to 20 years in prison after being convicted of the second-degree felony.

Mayer's defense attorney has said that there is no evidence that ties her to the crime.  But a Houston police officer testified that the damage on Mayer's truck is consistent with the accident.

Link: http://www.click2houston.com/news/closing-arguments-underway-in-deadly-hitandrun-trial/30163664