Texas Cycling Community Reacts to Viral Video of Cyclist Crushed Near DFW Airport – NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

The cycling community is still in shock after a suspected drunk driver slammed into two cyclists and ran over one of them near the DFW Airport on Monday.

In a video posted on social media, a white SUV is seen approaching two cyclists from behind around 6:30 p.m. on June 17, hitting them both and knocking them off their bikes. The SUV then ran over 69-year-old Tom Geppert.

“Watching the video, I am so angry. It looked like he could have stopped before he rolled over me, but then he accelerated and ran over me,” said Geppert who suffered a concussion, fractured rib, scrapes and bruises.

Police arrested Benjamin Hylander after cyclists caught up with him and told him to return to the scene. He faces several charges, including driving while intoxicated.

Everyone is happy that the two cyclists are doing well, but the video shocked more than one.

“Heartbreaking” is how Heather McNair, president of Bike DFW, described the video when she and her husband, Micahel, watched it.

“To see something so striking and unexpected happen was just devastating,” McNair said. “Everyone is devastated and incredibly, incredibly grateful that the injuries aren't any worse than they were. Very grateful that they're OK and getting on their bikes again.”

She said in a situation like this, it's a good opportunity to remind everyone using the roads to be vigilant and careful.

“Education is an important part of reminding cyclists how to be safe. Obviously, in this case, there's nothing the cyclists could have done differently to be safer. And then to remind drivers that cyclists are humans and people, they're not just an obstacle in your way,” McNair said. “So please be careful, know that we're out there and we're on our bikes and we're. let's just get from point 'A' to 'B' like you are and if you work with us, we will work with you and try to be safe and share the road.

What happened earlier in the week was reminiscent of what happened to McNair's husband more than a decade ago when he was hit by a car.

“I was in a coma for a month. Everything broke from here to here,” Michael said, pointing from his head to his waist.

He said that in 2012, he was at an intersection near his home waiting for the light to turn green. While he had the right of way, he said a car ran a red light and hit him.

“The gentleman going down Ferguson was trying to get around the yellow light. He absolutely admitted that he didn't make it. “The light turned red on me and I hit the cyclist,” and so my bike disappeared in the car, I went out the windshield So I'm telling you all this from what we can understand, I don't remember any of this,” said Michael who has had problems with memory loss. for some time after the accident.

Six months after being struck, Michael was back on horseback. He said a doctor initially assumed he wouldn't ride again given the severity of his injuries. Michael said his wife told the doctor she knew he was stubborn and that she would start riding bikes again, which she wanted so her husband would know about her passion for riding.

“He (the doctor) said, 'You're going to let him get back on the road, see what happened?' And she adds: “In the intensive care unit, how many patients are here because of a car accident? Are you going to tell them not to get back in a car? “He couldn't argue? Michael.

The McNairs said they know it's a very personal choice to ride again for those who have suffered an accident, but said they offer support to help people navigate.

“We're going to support you in whatever direction you're going. At the same time, we're here and we're going to ride with you and we're going to put you in the middle and we're going to protect you and give you the opportunity to get your confidence back on the road. We will do whatever is convenient for you and as quickly as is convenient for you,” McNair said.

2023 data from the Texas Department of Transportation indicates that 105 pedal cyclists, meaning cyclists or non-motorized vehicles with two wheels, were killed. This is a 15.38% increase from 2022 according to TxDOT.

For comparison, 4,283 people were killed in Texas as a result of a car crash.

“In reality, you're more likely to have an accident in your car than you are on a bike, so it's safer in many ways to cycle to and from work and he's better off physically for it, mentally and everything else having that time on the bike every day,” McNair said of her husband biking from Garland to Irving for work.

Monday's hit-and-run was the main topic of conversation at bike shops.

At Playtri Colleyville, general manager Todd Gordon said he felt “anger” after watching the viral video showing the cyclists being hit.

Many in the cycling community are still in shock after a viral video showed a car running over a cyclist near the Dallas airport. Those who ride say this as a reminder to share the roads.

“This impact is more than just physical trauma, it stays with you,” Gordon described.

He became emotional since on Memorial Day weekend two of his athletes were affected.

“It makes me a little emotional, mainly because you know, we get a lot of good vibes, good feelings when we go out and ride, especially when we ride together. It's a camaraderie, it's a community, it's is spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically good for us,” Gordon said.

He said he had ridden his bike on the DFW Airport loop where the accident occurred and said it was a popular route for cyclists because of the long stretch of road.

Aside from cars, he added, because their wheels are so thin, even a small crack in the road could have major consequences and lead to an accident.

Traveling in a group is a way to stay safe and look out for each other. Gordon said they use safety measures such as lights, different technology and cameras to do their best to stay safe. Ultimately, he said it's a group effort for everyone traveling the road.

“The community comes together. There's no reason we can't share the road. There's no reason cars can't be bike-friendly, and bikers can't be traffic light-friendly. traffic and other things like that, but there's no reason why I understand why we can't share the road,” Gordon said.