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WAKE COUNTY, N.C. — A deadly crash involving a group of cyclists in Wake County, North Carolina has left the cycling community heartbroken and angry, with one longtime cyclist saying the tragedy highlights growing dangers on the road.
Dileep Dadlani has been cycling for years and says he knows the Capital Cycling Club well. When he moved to the Triangle in 2008, it was the first cycling club he joined.
He describes its members as some of the most safety-conscious cyclists he’s ever ridden with.
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“Partially because they are incredibly safe, they look out for each other. They’re safe on the road,” Dadlani said.
On Saturday morning, a group of Capital Cycling Club members were riding along Optimist Farm Road near Talicud Trail when authorities say a driver struck the cyclists. Highway patrol says 63-year-old Patrick Turner was killed and several others were injured.
Investigators say the driver, identified as 76-year-old Donald Robert Morris-Jones of Apex, North Carolina left the scene before crashing into a ditch about a half mile away. Morris-Jones faces more than a dozen felony charges, including driving while impaired, felony hit-and-run involving serious injury or death, and one count of felony death by vehicle.
Dadlani said the news immediately sent shockwaves through the cycling community.
“The entire cycling community was affected. We heard, and we felt immediate anger and sorrow. And these types of things simply shouldn’t happen in this day and age,” he said.
Dadlani said he was particularly angry because he believes the crash could have been prevented.
“Yesterday’s tragedy completely could have been prevented. This gentleman was apparently drinking and driving, which is horrible. Now, we know we lost one life. We’ve got seven people in the hospital, and 30 people were affected by this tragedy,” Dadlani said.
Dadlani said the crash also brings back frightening memories of his own experience. Years ago, while training for a race, he was struck by a vehicle and broke his collarbone.
“I still smell the engine, and I could look up and see a belt spinning because I was almost under the vehicle. And I’ll never forget that experience for the rest of my life,” he said.
The experience made him more focused on cycling safety and choosing groups that take precautions seriously. But he said increasingly busy roads and distracted drivers have made him and his wife reconsider riding alongside traffic.
“It’s getting busier and busier. And that’s why my wife and I don’t ride on the road anymore,” he said.
Dadlani said drivers are paying more attention to their phones and technology, and less attention to the people sharing the road. He now trains on a stationary bike in his garage or sticks to mountain biking and gravel riding. He said cyclists also have a responsibility to follow traffic laws and be good stewards of the road.
“We want to be good stewards of the road and obey all the traffic laws. We hope that’s reciprocated by folks that are driving in their vehicles,” Dadlani said.
His message to drivers is simple: Slow down and pay attention.
“I just wish drivers out there would just pay attention; slow down,” he said. “The cycling community as a whole really do police themselves. They want to share the road. They want to be good stewards of the road and their space for all of us. We just have to make the time and energy to take it seriously.”
Dadlani said he didn’t know the victim personally, but the loss will have a lasting impact on the victim’s family and the broader cycling community.
“Now we know that there is a family that will forever be affected based on the negligence of the driver that shouldn’t have been behind the wheel,” he said.
The Capital Cycling Club board released a statement on the crash:
“On the morning of November 7th, our Saturday club ride experienced a horrible accident that resulted in severe injuries to multiple riders in our club.
“We want to first extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Patrick Turner on his tragic loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of sorrow and mourning. He was a strong, consistent, reliable and considerate rider.
“We are also thinking about and praying for our friends who were seriously injured yesterday. We want to respect everyone’s privacy, so we will not be releasing any update on anyone’s individual condition.
“Capital Cycling Club has been around for over 30 years. We run an annual charity bike ride, the Firecracker Ride, every July 4th out of Holly Springs in support of The MS Society/ BikeMS with over 500 participants. Our riders have years of experience and safety is the priority on every ride. Every Saturday we have 3 groups of riders, each riding at a designated pace. We ask that drivers respect the right of cyclists to use the road.
“We are all in shock by the senseless decision by the individual that caused the collision. This horrific event was -no accident-. As far as we know, the individual made a decision to drive in a way that put others in grave and mortal peril. We do not think there was any possible way the driver did not know that he had collided with the group. He chose at that moment to keep driving away from the scene leaving mass carnage in his wake. We are working closely with law enforcement on their investigation. We will continue to follow this case closely as it proceeds to see that justice is done for our friends.
“Finally, we want to thank all of the first responders who were on the scene for your care, dedication and rapid response. The rescue was there within minutes. As difficult as it was for those of us who were on the ride, it was some relief to know that our friends were getting the utmost care. Your professionalism and personal attention to each of the injured even while dealing with multiple serious injuries likely prevented even further loss of life. For this we are very grateful and thank you all.”
There is now a memorial at the crash site where Patrick Turner was killed, and a group of cyclists were struck by Morris-Jones on Saturday morning.
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