Motorist Faces Charges after Fatal Hit-and-run Bicycle Crash
According to WPLG, a man faces charges after causing fatal injuries to a bicyclist in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Wednesday night.
Details of Fatal Bicycle Accident
Alkiva Douglas, 19, was riding his bike in the 6700 block of Northwest 9th Avenue when the bicycle accident occurred. Douglas was hit by a car from behind at around 8:40 p.m. local time – the driver leaving him in the street to die.
Douglas was taken to Broward Health North in critical condition and would be declared brain dead a few days later, reports WPLG. He was placed on life support until his siblings from Jamaica arrived to say goodbye to their brother. Douglas died on Wednesday at the hospital.
The driver, 28-year-old Philip Varsam, was originally charged with leaving the scene of a crash resulting in injury. The charge has been upgraded to leaving the scene of a crash resulting in death.
Bicycle Accident Statistics
The following information regarding bicycle, or pedalcycle, crashes is provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):
- 743 pedalcyclists died in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2013.
- An estimated 48,000 pedalcyclists were injured in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2013.
- Sixty-eight percent of all pedalcyclists who died in motor vehicle crashes in 2013 died in urban area crashes.
- Most pedalcyclist fatalities occurred at non-intersections (57%) in 2013.
