Tragic news out of South Africa where amateur cyclist Idries Sheriff, 41, was killed early Tuesday morning by an alleged drunk driver in Cape Town.

Witnesses to the crash report the driver of a blue BMW performance sedan lost control of the vehicle, crossed the center line and crashed head-on into Sheriff, launching him directly into the vehicle’s windshield.

Emergency responders were called to the scene at 07:00, finding Sheriff laying on the ground unresponsive next to a BMW with heavy right-side front end/windshield damage. Despite administering life-saving measures, paramedics were unable to revive Sheriff, pronouncing him deceased.

Police then arrested the 27 year-old BMW driver. He was charged with Culpable Homicide, Reckless Driving and Driving Under the Influence with a magistrate setting bail at R15,000 (€762), according to cycling advocacy group Pedal Power Association SA.

The heart breaking loss is hitting the Cape Town cycling community hard. Sheriff, a category 3 racer, leaves behind a wife, 2 year-old son and many, many cycling friends who will always remember him as ‘One of the nicest people you’ll meet on and off the bike. He just loved riding…’

Photo Credit: Facebook/idries.sheriff, Facebook/TaurusMedicalFilmAndSportsMedics

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