Robert Hurd, 62, of Connecticut was riding in the panhandle of Texas on Thursday 21 August when he was hit by a pickup truck and killed, according to Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) reports.

After almost dying in 2015 when he was run over by a car on a group training ride, Hurd was in Texas on a cross-country ride from San Francisco to Connecticut to raise money to help amateur cyclists tragically injured in car crashes.

The driver of the pickup reported to DPS officers that Hurd was riding alone on the road shoulder to the right of the fog line (solid white line) near the city of Lorenzo, when the cyclist crossed into the highway traffic lane (60mph speed limit) occupied by the truck. Traveling at high speed, the truck hit Hurd, who died instantly. The pickup driver stayed on scene to cooperate with DPS officers, who did not to charge the driver with a crime at that time.

A long-time competitive cyclist who participated in the legendary Mt. Washington Auto Road Bicycle Hillclimb, New Britain Criterium and other events in the Northeastern USA, Hurd posted of his cross-country ride on GoFundMe.

“I will be riding my bike across the country starting in San Francisco back home to Connecticut. I would love to raise money for athletes who have been injured in car crashes My goal is to raise $10,000 to donate to “Be Kind to Cyclists”, an organization whose mission revolves around fostering understanding and respect between motorists and cyclists through education and awareness initiatives. They also provide vital support to those whose lives have been forever changed by crashes involving motor vehicles through their Cyclist Tragedy Assistance Program.”

At press time, Hurd’s GoFundMe campaign has raised $5275.

Photo Credit: Robert Hurd

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