Cycling Partner Recalls Horrifying Moment of Friend's Hit-and-Run Fatality

Lubbock, TX, Avalanche-Journal | 02-10-04 | Lunsford, D. Lance

[Theodore R.]

Cycling partner recalls horrifying moment of friend's hit-and-run fatality BY d. LANCE LUNSFORD AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

Kedric C. Hobbs, 20, spoke several times about the agony of possibly getting struck by a car while cycling.

He and cycling partner Luke Thornton, 20, had been riding together for about a week until Monday night when a red pickup - allegedly driven by 32-year-old Jason D. McInroe - struck Hobbs, killing him.

On the side of the road, in the 7800 block of Fourth Street's dusty shoulder, Thornton held Hobbs in his arms, having unsuccessfully felt for a pulse in the moments after the accident.

He could do little but yell Hobbs' name until ambulances arrived on the scene.

The two were pedaling - about four miles into an 11-mile bike ride - when at approximately 6:30 p.m., the red pickup came barrelling through, striking Hobbs. Thornton had just been talking with Hobbs about Valentine's Day weekend and efforts to snag a date.

"He flew about 10 feet before he hit and just started rolling ... for about another 5 feet," said Thornton. "It was just completely shocking. I was just talking to the guy."

Thornton shrugged off concerns that perhaps it was impossible to see Hobbs pedaling on the road. According to the National Weather Service, the sun set at 6:25 p.m. Monday. A NWS official also reported light midlevel clouds and high-level scattered clouds.

The two were gearing up for a triathlon race - a three-tiered event involving biking, running and swimming. For Hobbs, it was normal, said Thornton, to be outside all the time, enjoying athletics.

He never jogged inside. And he never used an indoor stationary bike.

Hobbs, who moved from his home in Roswell, N.M., to study landscape architecture at Texas Tech, was known as a good student focused on graduating and managing a business of his own.

Thornton met Hobbs in Tech's Campus Crusade for Christ. The two also taught a Bible study group for male students where, Thornton said, Hobbs had a special knack for taking something too serious or tragic and making a joke out of it to lighten the mood.

"He could just read people really well and always knew when something was wrong," said Thornton.

A little of Hobbs' attitude has rubbed off a bit on Thornton and Hobbs' other friends, adding to their settling attitude even in the face of severe tragedy.

Other witnesses to the accident have not fared as well.

Without the assistance of a good Samaritan, the man who allegedly struck and killed Hobbs on Monday could still be on the run.

The 28-year-old witness was driving in the 7800 block of Fourth Street when he passed the bicycling pair. As he passed, he told police, he glanced in his rear-view mirror over surmounting suspicion of a fast approaching pickup from behind. Just as he did, he saw the pickup strike Hobbs, launching him from his bike and into the air.

Now, it's a vision the witness has not been able to lose since the accident.

"Every time I tried to sleep, I just saw him flying and the truck," said the witness in an interview Wednesday.

He wished not to use his name in fear of retribution.

In the moments after the accident, the Samaritan managed to focus.

"As soon as I saw him get hit, I instantly called 911," said the witness, who said he then stepped on the accelerator.

Reaching speeds up to 80 mph, he followed the pickup allegedly driven by McInroe, a construction worker who was assigned to a company vehicle matching the description of the one that crashed into Hobbs.

"I just did it without thinking," said the witness.

McInroe was arrested at about 11 p.m. Monday at his home, the truck parked outside with damage to its front right area.

McInroe, according to Lubbock County Jail records, was in custody Wednesday on charges of failure to stop and render aid. Bond was set at $100,000.

Thornton said the Samaritan, once back on the scene, was visibly shaken and upset over what he had witnessed. The man's 1-year-old son and pregnant wife were in the vehicle at the time of the accident.

Police reports indicate witnesses said Thornton was riding along the shoulder of the road, traveling west. Reports also indicate Hobbs was riding to Thornton's left inside the westbound lane.

[af_vet_1981]

"As soon as I saw him get hit, I instantly called 911," said the witness, who said he then stepped on the accelerator. Reaching speeds up to 80 mph, he followed the pickup allegedly driven by McInroe, a construction worker who was assigned to a company vehicle matching the description of the one that crashed into Hobbs. "I just did it without thinking," said the witness. McInroe was arrested at about 11 p.m. Monday at his home, the truck parked outside with damage to its front right area. McInroe, according to Lubbock County Jail records, was in custody Wednesday on charges of failure to stop and render aid. Bond was set at $100,000.

Give him a fair trial and a fast hanging.

I think it is unwise to ride bikes on the road with killers and without bike lanes.

[deport]

the sun set at 6:25 p.m. Monday.

---

Not the smartest thing to be doing at that time even though they may have been legal otherwise. Texas law requires a red reflector and many use a red blinking light also. Even with pedal reflectors and the other relectors it is still hard to see someone on a bike until you are upon them at night.

[ScottFromSpokane]

I have no patience for whackjobs who try to prove their manhood by threatening to kill people, but personally, I think a motorist who honks at a cyclist who is riding legally should be fined a thousand bucks.

[Revelation 911]

My brother was hit and killed on his bike along a very wide road in Georgia. Nothing was done to the guy who hit him, who did stop and call the police. The guy driving the car was shaky as far as his driving history and some other facts in his background, but there were no witnesses, other than the driver.

headed home from Superbowl halftime, my wife and I came up behind a weaving car doing about 20 (in a 45) - weaving / crossing the lines etc - I felt bad about calling 911 and having the slob pulled over until I just read your letter

My sincere condolences

[cyclotic]

I carry sometimes when I ride, but I also ride a lot at night in some fairly remote areas. I can't think of a reasonable scenario where it would be possible to stop, draw, aim and fire at an already passed car.

I got mirror tagged by a car once and even then, there was no opportunity to do anything but yell.

[Max Combined]

A light honk on the horn gives them a heads up that a car is coming and so to be careful not to swerve into the lane and maybe into the car's path.

[cyclotic]

I disagree. A light honk is beyond annoying to a cyclist and the driver is often distracted by trying to find his horn and may drift into the cyclist.

Personally, I have a mirror attached to my helmet. I see clearly all oncoming vehicles. I also use my ears as much as my eyes.

This cyclist, as he was training for a triathlon had probably protected himself as much as possible with colors, helmet etc.

As a member of the college Campus Crusade for Christ ministry, his family can take comfort in his eternity with the Lord.

[nothingnew]

Then yell/curse at me to get off the road!

Well, I guess you know what I'm talking about. The problem here is that the entire city is like that. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of intelligent "bikers" here, but way too many "spandex-pedalers" who think the entire earth was built for them and them only.

I can't begin to tell you how many "bike trails" are built every year for the spandex crowd and what the cost is. The recent tax hike on cigs passed by the weenies in Durango is partly for more "bike trails"......time for me to seriously start looking for a different location.

FMCDH(BITS)

[Max Combined]

"A light honk is beyond annoying to a cyclist"

Maybe to you, but not to me, when I was cycling.

Now that I know you don't like it, I will be sure to honk my horn at every cyclist who rides along the road. Thanks for the information.

[cyclotic]

Since most of us serious riders have steel clips on the bottom of our shoes, don't be surprised to see some marks on the right side of your car.

(Sarcasm)

I'll look for you next time I'm participating in a 1,000 rider 100 mile ride. Actually, I'll just listen for you honking every 50 feet.

[ScottFromSpokane]

No, a light honk on the horn distracts them and makes it more likely that they will swerve into your path. Trust me.

It's even worse if they don't have a rear-view mirror and they think they have to turn suddenly and see why the hell someone's honking at them.

Just slow slightly, move to the left until you can clear them by at least three feet (at city speeds; more if you're going faster), then drive past them in a nice straight line.

[nothingnew]

I'll look for you next time I'm participating in a 1,000 rider 100 mile ride.

So...you've been to Durango CO?

I have no problem with organized competitions. The "Ironhorse Race" here, from Durango to Silverton is such an event. Well organized and well advertised. The "natives" understand that US 160 N will be impossible to drive on until the race is over. Fine.

I'm talking about everyday travel here in town and the outskirts (outskirts, where I live, but not far enough out).

If you're a competition rider, you might look into the "Ironhorse".

FReegards,

FMCDH(BITS)

[ScottFromSpokane]

Now that I know you don't like it, I will be sure to honk my horn at every cyclist who rides along the road.

I'm sorry I tried to explain things to you in a civil manner. If I'd known you were a dickhead, I wouldn't have bothered.

[Max Combined]

"No, a light honk on the horn distracts them and makes it more likely that they will swerve into your path. Trust me."

I don't trust you and I don't agree. I have been a cyclist and I am a driver and my opinion on this matter is every bit as informed as your own.

[Free Vulcan]

I don't ride anymore either. People just don't pay attention anymore, and I have to admit after a long day with too little sleep and lots of stress, it's easy to zone and space off that rider you are approaching from behind.

[Lady Heron]

I lived in an area that had a very busy road that cyclist used daily. It was very dangerous place for them to come to ride, two lane road with no shoulder, but they did in great numbers. My fear was that I might hit one of these stupid people and ruin my life(I saw several others hit some of these guys during the years I lived there or at least the aftermath of the hit, bicycle crumpled and guy lying on the ground with emergency workers standing over him). I can't stand stupidity nor cyclist that use these type of roads any longer.

The thing that really pissed me off about the whole situation was that this area had 2 large parks and a small one within 5 miles that they could have ridden in. This is not about riding but how much they can take over and show they own the road. Though I am sorry for him, I have long since lost my tolerance for the situation, cars and bikes do not mix. Not only is he dead but an other guys life is ruined, when finding a good park to ride in was an easy choice.

[USMA83]

It is usually unsafe for others using the park or trails when a cyclist is moving
at 20 to 22 mph. That's why they are on the roads. However, they need to
be smart about which roads they choose.