Bicyclist killed in hit-and-run crash in West Philadelphia
The crash occurred just after 9:50 a.m. at the intersection of Belmont Avenue and Avenue of the Republic in Fairmount Park, police said.
A bicyclist was killed in a hit-and-run crash Tuesday morning in Fairmount Park near the city’s Parkside section, police said.
The crash occurred just after 9:50 a.m. at the intersection of Belmont Avenue and Avenue of the Republic, police said. The victim was transported by medics to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 10:24 a.m.
NBC10 reported that the daughter of the victim confirmed his identity as 67-year-old Harry Fenton.
The Washington Square resident was a member of Philly Bike Action, a board member of the organization, Jessie Amadio, said in an email to the Inquirer on Tuesday.
Amadio said Fenton was a “diligent advocate” for better enforcement of restrictions on bike-lanes parking.
“I met him and his wife at one of our citywide meetings — he told me he rode frequently and enjoyed riding with his wife [who found our streets too unsafe to bike on alone],” Amadio said.
“Our thoughts are with his family. This is truly the worst nightmare of anyone who rides a bike or loves someone who does,” Amadio said.
According to the preliminary investigation, a black Dodge Charger and a black Chrysler were heading north on Belmont Avenue at a high speed as they approached Avenue of the Republic, police said.
The bicyclist was traveling east on Avenue of the Republic when the driver of one of the vehicles struck him, police said.
Crash investigators were on their way to the scene when they spotted a black Dodge Charger parked at a different location with several individuals appearing to inspect the front of the vehicle, police said.
The investigators seized the vehicle for further investigation.
No arrests were reported.
Prior to Fenton’s death, there had been at least three others involving a bicyclist in Philadelphia, according to the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia.
Among the deaths: In May, Jeffrey Ishibashi, 50, was killed in West Philadelphia. In January, Michael Buie, 51, was killed in North Philadelphia.