Deaf bicyclist injured in suspected hit and run

NBC Bay Area news reported that a deaf bicyclist, Rickey Fogle, was seriously injured by a suspected hit-and-run driver on Friday in the San Jose, California area.

Rickey was riding with a group of 20 cyclists, but before he was hit, he was separated from the group and riding alone with the expectation that they would all meet up for a breakfast meal.

The group found out that Rickey was rushed to a hospital with severe injuries to his neck, spine, ribs, pelvis, arm and leg.

His bicycle frameset was ripped apart at the seat area.

According to a friend of Rickey named Ashley, the incident was not immediately reported as a crime because first responders thought Rickey fell in an accident. But when Rickey’s friends and fellow cyclists saw the damage to Rickey’s bicycle and the extent of his injuries, they knew it was a crime. She said Rickey is lucky that there was a good samaritan who stopped to help him because he was “left for dead.”

Here is a clip from NBC Bay Area’s news coverage.

[NBC Bay Area News Clip]

Ashely said police are now investigating the incident as a hit and run investigation.

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Ashley said Rickey is starting physical therapy and learning what his body can and can not do, such as learning how to sit in a chair with his braces.

There is a GoFundMe set up for Rickey that has raised twice the goal of $10,000. The GoFundMe was organized by a co-owner of a bike shop where Rickey works at.

Fellow bicyclists said they hope police will catch whoever is responsible. There are many posts on social media asking anyone in the area of the incident to contact the San Jose Police Department if they have any information.

NBC Bay Area: https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/south-bay/san-jose-hit-and-run-friend-says-bicyclist-was-left-for-dead/2587780/

GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-rickey-recover-from-a-hitandrun