Midnight Ride on Dark Road with Unlighted Bicycle Fatal to Kevin Freese

Spread the love

  • The vehicle approached the bicycle from the rear and struck the bicycle’s rear tire which caused the victim to be ejected and come to rest on the grassy shoulder along the southbound lane. The dark sedan fled the scene in a southern direction.
Delaware State Police report bicyclist dead after being struck by unknown vehicle 050417

Midnight Ride on Dark Road with Unlighted Bicycle Fatal to Kevin Freese

Kevin Freese killed on bicycle in Dover Del by hit and run driver May 4, 2017

DOVER, DEL. — A bicyclist that police say wasn’t wearing any reflective gear or had his bike equipped with any lights was hit by an unknown vehicle and killed as he operated his bike on McKee Road in Dover on May 4, 2017.

That is the police summation of what ended the life of Kevin Freese. His family and friends will soon gather to consider the life of the man they knew and loved.

Kevin’s Facebook page is a view into how he died in that he posted in March of being able to latch onto a new bike that a customer had returned to the Walmart store where he worked. The bike’s fender was busted as was the chain guard. Kevin posted a photo of the bike on his Facebook page and noted that it was a welcome addition to his daily life, cutting the trip to work by twenty minutes. The photo of the bike reveals that it matches the description provided by Delaware State Police in every way with respect to the lack of safety equipment.

The bike that Kevin Freese posted on his Facebook page on March 27, 2017, noting that it cut his trip home from work by 20 minutes.

Kevin Freese posted this note on his Facebook page on March 27, 2017:

 “Brand new bike somebody returned to store. Not sure what they did. I Removed bent front fender and bent chain guard after I rode it home. Bike and lock $29.97. Cut my 30-minute walk to work to under 10 minutes”

The Facebook page of Freese provides a scant glimpse at his life that he chose to share with his friends and family. He was a simple man who formerly worked for the State of Delaware, was concerned about keeping up with his child support and loved his dogs. He was faithful to his employment at Walmart and passionate about the world around him, based on the photos he posted.  In explaining himself, he posted, “Father, son, brother, and friend, doing the best I can with what I have.”

The vehicle which struck Freese may have damage from the bike, even scrapings of paint or human materials.

The driver who failed to stop would likely never have been charged as police make it clear that Freese had done nothing to make himself visible or legal to operate on a roadway. However, if the driver of the vehicle was operating while impaired, that could have been a reason they didn’t stop as they then could have been charged with a crime.

The driver, even if not at fault, had an obligation to stop and render aid while seeking help. That driver simply fled.

The driver, even if not at fault, had an obligation to stop and render aid while seeking help. That driver simply fled.

Police report that the preliminary investigation has determined the incident occurred around 11:48 p.m. Thursday, May 4, 2017, as an unknown driver operating a dark sedan southbound on McKee Road approached Kevin S. Freese, 52, of Dover, who was riding his bicycle in the same direction.

The dark sedan fled the scene in a southern direction.

The vehicle approached the bicycle from the rear and struck the bicycle’s rear tire which caused the victim to be ejected and come to rest on the grassy shoulder along the southbound lane. The dark sedan fled the scene in a southern direction.

Kevin S. Freese, who was not wearing a bicycle helmet was transported to the Bayhealth Kent General Hospital Emergency Room where he succumbed to his injuries. Freese did not have on reflective clothing and his bicycle did not have a light on the front or rear. It is unknown if alcohol was a factor in this collision.

McKee Road in the area of the collision was closed for approximately three hours while the crash was investigated and cleared.

The Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing their investigation into this incident.  If anyone may have witnessed this crash or has any knowledge of the crash they are asked to contact Sergeant J. Wheatley of the Collision Reconstruction Unit at 302-697-4454. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, via the internet at www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com, or by sending an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword “DSP.”

 


Spread the love

Leave a Reply