Alex Marietta, 40, of Geneseo, IL, was riding his bicycle southbound on Davenport Avenue at 3:02 p.m.on June 3rd, 2021 when he was struck by a red Chevrolet Tahoe that failed to stop for a red light while traveling westbound on Kimberly Road.
The Tahoe fled the scene. Police were able to identify the driver of the Tahoe as Bobby Fitzgerald Hunt Jr., 33, of Davenport. Hunt is charged with one count each of homicide by vehicle, reckless driving, leaving the scene of a fatality crash, and interference with official acts.
We are sad and angry about the violent nature of this crash. Our thoughts are with the family of Alex Marietta at this trying time.
We are continuing our efforts for safer bicycling in Iowa. {{Constituent First Name}}, if you can give to help our bike safety work, please do so at the following link. https://ibc.z2systems.com/donation.jsp?campaign=160&
We demand an end to fatal bike crashes in Iowa.
Iowa needs a safe passing distance law requiring vehicles to change lanes to pass. We need to end unsafe driving with increased penalties and appropriate reckless driving charges. We need trails, bike lanes, and paved shoulders.
SAFE PASSING LAW
We remain focused on lobbying the Legislature to pass a bill that will require motorists to change lanes to pass bicyclists. This bill failed to pass the last session, but we haven’t given up because the problem of unsafe passing still exists. It is time to require safe operations around bicyclists, stop motorists from buzzing you on the road, teach student drivers how to safely pass, and ultimately, stop motorists from running over bicyclists.
MORE TRAILS, BIKE LANES, & SHOULDERS
The Iowa DOT has taken a big step forward by completing the Iowa Bike & Pedestrian Plan. Implementation and funding are the next big steps. The legislature needs to fund the Conservation Trust Fund to fund trails, water quality, and land conservation. The Conservation Trust Fund could provide safe places to ride all over Iowa.
TIME FOR ACTION
It is past the time needed to take action. Iowa can spare no more lives to unsafe passing, distracted driving, and reckless operations. Iowa needs to end fatal crashes involving bicyclists now!
