PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Police say they are looking for a driver who struck and killed a bicyclist who was crossing Roosevelt Boulevard Tuesday night in Philadelphia.
Police say someone who was driving a white-and-blue Ford F-150 pickup truck, hit the victim, who was in his 20s or 30s, and kept going.
At about 7:30 p.m., investigators say, the bicyclist was westbound on Adams Avenue, crossing the boulevard. While in the northbound lane of the boulevard, he was hit by that pickup truck. Police say the driver of the truck did not stop and continued north on Roosevelt Boulevard.
The victim, who has not been publicly identified, was rushed to Temple University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
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Roosevelt Boulevard has long been considered one of the most dangerous roads in the city — and the entire country. In a typical year, officials say, 1 in every 12 crashes resulting in death or serious injury in Philadelphia takes place on the boulevard.
Randy LoBasso, policy director at the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, says this horrible incident is another reminder that changes are needed.
"I can't imagine what it's like for the family, for this person's friends, to know that this happened and to know that it was another hit-and-run in the city as well," LoBasso said.
"If you look at Roosevelt Boulevard, it is a gigantic — basically, a highway through residential neighborhoods, and it's not set up the way for people to be safe crossing it. It's not set up safe for drivers. It's not set up safe for pedestrians walking across it. And it's not set up safe for bicyclists crossing it."
The city released a report called "Route for Change" earlier this year that lists ways the boulevard can be made safer in the near term, through 2025, and down the road through 2040.
Some of the ideas include adding bus-only and protected bike lanes, and realigning crosswalks so pedestrians can cross safely. One long-range option would be to cap part of the boulevard and send four lanes underground.
Reports from the Philadelphia Parking Authority show that speed cameras installed along the boulevard last year have made a difference in driving habits, and people are slowing down.
That change was not enough to save the man who was killed Tuesday night.
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