The Colony, TX - A manhunt is currently underway for the driver of a small white or silver car who struck a bicyclist and fled the scene yesterday in Plano.
Debbie McGregor, 42, of Plano was riding her bike westbound on Windhaven Parkway near the intersection of Plano Parkway when she was struck from behind by a car, this according to an unidentified eye-witness. Along with the witness, an off-duty nurse stopped to aid Ms. McGregor who was lying motionless and bleeding in the street. She was taken to Plano Presbyterian Hospital by ambulance in critical condition. The extent of her injuries is currently confidential.
According to the eye-witness, at about 8:00 PM she was following the suspect's car uphill on the route popular with cyclists when it struck Ms. McGregor at about 40-mph. The car continued without stopping.
Bike was in a hundred pieces
Ms. McGregor's white carbon fiber triathlon bicycle was shattered with the rear wheel - several feet in front of what was the frame - folded in half and gears strewn across two lanes of road. She was thrown over 30 feet ahead of her bike and landed in the street in the right lane near the curb. Her sunglasses were found in the grass about 10 feet from where she landed and a water bottle was found nearly 50 feet uphill from where she was struck. She was wearing a helmet and a Road ID on an ankle at the time of the incident.
She is a finisher of Ironman Wisconsin and training for an upcoming triathlon.
Help catch a criminal
Anyone with information about the suspect is urged to call Officer Derrick Hodges of The Colony Police Department at (972) 625-1887. The car is likely damaged on its hood and-or passenger-side front fender area from the impact.
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Comments
It's Plano Parkway, not Road. She was coming down that big hill by Austin Square.
Thanks for pointing out the street name. I have made the correction. Also, the accident happend on the west side of the intersection halway between Plano Parkway and Trinity Drive, not the east side of Windhaven Parkway with the steep hill near the Austin Ranch apartments.
Debbie is a close friend of a friend. Saying a prayer for her and her family.
its a shame that no matter how well you prepare to enjoy a bike ride, some fool (that needs to be prosecuted to the fullest degree when found) runs you over. its not safe to be riding in a road anymore since everyone seems its ok to be on the phone and playing with there ipod's while driving.
i will pray for Debbie to get well and for justice in this negligence. GET WELL DEBBIE!
Brian,
Putting out the word. And printing this and taking it a few establishments in Plano I frequent.
Praying for Debbie!!
It's a little confusing, article says she was following the car, then it hit her?
@bob: The witness was following the car that struck the cyclist
@Bob, the witness was following the car that hit the cyclist. Sickening to read about hit and runs. Hope they catch the coward and throw the book at them.
This is horrible news....hope the person is found and prosecuted. It's one thing to have an accident, but fleeing the scene is really criminal behavior! Hoping that Debbie heals fast.
All the best to Debbie and hoping for a quick recovery. I echo scott from illinois' remarks - people complain about texting while driving being illegal in some states but drivers are WAY too distracted on the roads these days!
Since moving down to Texas from the upper Midwest I have been appalled by the ineptitude of drivers down here to Runners and Bikers. I am sick of having to fear for my life every time I go for a run even though I am running on sidewalks and bike paths. I have sent countless letters to my state representative asking for tougher laws to be put into place, but I have never received anything back…what a shock! I pray for a quick and speedy recovery for Debbie
Everyone, thanks for the comments and interest for Debbie. Let's keep the story circulating as it will help find the driver. I will follow with information on her condition as permitted.
Prayers to Debbie and her family from a Michigan Cyclist.
sorry to read this and dympathies to her family. I will keep my eye out for this vehicle. as I ride in that area too. As a cyclist in DFW, it is sad to say that there are few (if any) places one can safely ride.
Since moving down to Texas from the upper Midwest I have been appalled by the ineptitude of drivers down here to Runners and Bikers. I am sick of having to fear for my life every time I go for a run even though I am running on sidewalks and bike paths. I have sent countless letters to my state representative asking for tougher laws to be put into place, but I have never received anything back…what a shock! I pray for a quick and speedy recovery for Debbie
is this really the best description of the car "white or silver car"??? and if more than one person stopped why didnt someone follow the suspect???
I cycle in the Peoria, IL area every September and I have been run off the road by a truck that grew impatient following me. So I think drivers everywhere are very impatient these days. I can't help but wonder if the driver that stuck Debbie was blinded by the setting sun. I ride Windhaven at least once a week and I know how the sun sets as you are headed westbound. I hope Debbie recovers fully and the jerk that left her laying on the road is caught!
one other thing, it's a known fact that many cyclists and runners train on Windhaven. There used to be a patrol car that would sit in the median on the west side of Windhaven. I haven't seen a patrol car there in several weeks, but it would be nice if The Colony police would venture over there once in a while.
Thanks Governor Perry...Even if this person is caught your veto of the Safe Rider bill will let them get off scott free.
Hangem high.
I am a client of Debbie's and I can tell you she is a fine and decent person. Cars don't rule - or shouldn't. People do. To be a triathlete you need guts, and Debbie's got them, and that's why she'll pull through this, with help from us and from above. God bless, Deb.
I with IMAZ's comment. Accidents with cyclists are happening too often. Thanks alot for not passing a law. Wonder how much was paid for you to veto.
Don't know Debbie, but wish her all the very best. Thoughts are with you.
My prayers are with you! Have a full and speedy recovery. LIVESTRONG!
I ride Windhaven all the time, I hope Debbie gets well soon
I rode Windaven last night & The Colony had a patrol car sitting in the median last night, this will not deter people who do not care.
I wish Deb a speedy recovery. I'm not familiar with this safe driving that Governor Perry repealed but if he overturned a law that would protect cyclists, runners and pedestrians safer by making drivers more accountable shame on him! Our system is still one built around the dominance of cars. The minset of the culture will not change until that dynamic does.
Deb, I hope you recover and that your injuries are minor. I hope this doesn't scare you from getting back on the bike and training for that next Tri. To the driver that hit her, there is a special place in Hell for you and the folks like you - you will get yours.
To Michael, can't agree with you more. Bill White is an avid cyclist...hopefully, with him in office very soon, we'll get some recognition in the law for cyclists and get these types of drivers off the road permanently!
Good luck to you, Deb...get well soon!
This is just sick that a human would hit a person cycling from behind and keep driving what kind of sick deranged lunatic would do this? I pray that they find this person then need to be taken off the street!!! None of us cyclist are SAFE as long as there are people like this on the loose.....Get well soon Debbie :)
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