Craig A. Prather, 48, of Bradenton, Florida, USA, died in the early morning on 16 May 2026 when a BMW entered the bike lane on 53rd Avenue West near 66th Street West in Bradenton at approximately 04:30 and struck him from behind, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. He died at the scene.
Prather worked as head mechanic at Village Bikes in Bradenton and was a respected figure in the national ultracycling community. His passion for cycling began at age 15 after watching competitors race through the Mid-Ohio Valley during the Race Across America (RAAM). He went on to compete nationwide for 26 years, including a qualifying ride for RAAM in November 2013—just eight months after undergoing double-bypass surgery.
The circumstances of his death drew immediate anger from fellow cyclists. According to training partner and friend Richard Traugott, Prather was fully illuminated with head and tail lights while riding legally in the bike lane when the driver veered onto the shoulder and struck him from behind.
“How can FHP complete an on-scene investigation determine that Craig was in the bike lane, that the vehicle left the roadway, and a fatality occurred,” Traugott posted on Facebook, “and not complete a blood draw or field sobriety test? Or at a minimum, issue a citation for failure to maintain lane.”
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, no citations have been issued and no arrests have been made, but the Traffic Homicide Unit continues to investigate the incident.
What made Prather’s story extraordinary extended far beyond cycling. He survived eleven heart attacks, multiple stent procedures, and a double-bypass operation. Most recently, he suffered a cardiac arrest while riding the same route on 08 December 2025—less than six months before his death. Bystanders performed CPR, firefighters from a nearby station responded with an AED, and he was transported to hospital, where he recovered. Each time, according to friends and family, a genetic condition that caused serious heart problems never stopped him from returning to the thing he loved—riding his bike.
Photo Credit: Facebook
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