Wilmington bicyclist hit on Eastwood Road

Gary was my friend of 47 years. We met in high school and have all those years of memories together. I went to his wedding, watched he and Barb raise their children, attended his daughter's wedding and know how much he cherished his first grandchild. Since I also knew his parents very well, our ties go through four generations of his family. Yes, he loved riding his bike more than anything and went out of his way to find open roads with little traffic. I imagine that day he was returning from his ride to Wrightsville Beach. Unfortunately, and I say this as a fellow cyclist, we sometimes have to travel through congested areas. In a perfect world we would not have to mix bikes with cars, cars with SUV's, and SUV's with big rigs, big always prevails over small. Because we do have to share our space we have rules. Gary always followed rules to the letter. Cyclists are not out to inconvenience drivers. They are there there because they are following traffic laws. Please be aware of them and courteous toward them. As pedestrians, we open doors for each other, step aside for the handicapped, and help people in many ways. Yet when we get into vehicles we forget that cyclists, pedestrians and other drivers are also mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, children, and someone's best friend. Driving a vehicle requires 100% of your attention 100% of the time! Please, they are not 2 wheel, 4 wheel or 18 wheel vehicles – they are fellow human beings! Words can't describe how I will miss my friend Gary.

I was there. The woman that hit him was infront of me. I saw him fly over her car and he landed within 10 feet of my car. The woman didn't stop for a good 50 or 75 ft and even then she wasn't shook up until a few minutes into it, but still... It could have been shock, or adrenaline, but she was screaming, "What was he doing in the turning lane?!?!?" That shouldn't be the only question you are screaming. I have never felt so helpless in my entire life, I couldn't do anything for him, and he wasn't at fault at all... I had to sit in my car, in tears, histerical, and look at him just lying in the road. Trust me, the blame needs to be put somewhere.. But this is my opinion...

Please share the road. That's all I ask. We can help each other be safer by obeying the rules of the road and driving with courtesy. Gary Sargent was my dear friend Barbara Sargent's husband. A fine gentleman,husband, father and friend that loved riding his bicycle everyday that he could, growing wonderful vegetables in the backyard, sharing his great witty humor and never meeting a stranger. His death is tragic, in his families' hearts and in the community. Blame is not the answer, while responsibility is. We can be considerate and kind to each other. Let's start now please, before another life is needlessly swept away.

I am in utter shock after reading all the horrible, negative comments on this topic. I happened to be driving by within minutes of this accident happening. I felt compelled to stop and pray not only for the injured cyclist but also for the person that hit him. I thought for sure he was dead. As I stood on the side of the road saying a few prayers I noticed the driver of the car sitting in the passenger seat sobbing!!!! It was obviously a horrible ACCIDENT! So rather than join the other bitter - negative people that are going to argue who was at fault and whether or not bicyclists should ride in the road (which is their legal right!) I am going to ask all motorist and cyclist to please be more aware and pay attention when driving or riding. The traffic in Wilmington and the manner in which people drive without signaling or slowing to allow another person an inch of room is SAD! Live in the present moment and be thankful for all that you have. My thoughts and prayers continue to be with the families of both the cyclist and the driver of the vehicle. Do you think when the cyclist and driver left their homes yesterday morning they ever imagined that their life would never be the same? My husband loves to ride his road bike (and does SHARE THE ROAD) with automobiles and now I have to put my trust in GOD and hope each time he goes for a ride that he will be safe. GODSPEED

The argument that b/c cyclists don't pay for them, therefore they shouldn't use them holds no water. I and many other cyclists also drive cars. I ride a bike to work, to the store, the movie theater and everywhere else I can b/c I want to, not b/c I have to. I've lived in this town since the mid-80s and have paid my fair share of taxes. There's no way anyone can tell me that I don't pay for the roads. I have every right to ride my bicycle on the road, any road, and I will not stop doing so. The selfish, irresponsible people like the kid who killed the cyclist on River Rd. deserve the blame for these tragedies not the cyclists doing something that is in their right to do. It'll be interesting to see if the person who hit the cyclist was talking on the phone texting. I'd be willing to bet that he/she was doing something outside of simply driving the car.

All I can say is at least the driver of this vehicle stopped. Too many times these drivers take off. At least this one is man enough to do the right thing

Those bicycle helmets are near worthless, giving a false sense of security. I for one refuse to ride with traffic... it's simply insane to do so. It really ticks me off how some communities outlaw bicyclists on sidewalks and the rest "discourage" it. Auto versus bicyclist always results in the car winning. If the bicyclist gets away with their life, consider themselves lucky. Now bicyclist versus pedestrian? Pedestrian gets back up and keeps on walking. Anyone ever hear of someone walking and being a victim of a hit and run bicyclist? I haven't.

when you ride in the road? I for one am sick and tired of people riding their bikes in the road all over Wilmington. If this gentleman was hit while trying to cross the road at an intersection, Im sorry it happened. If he got hit because he, for some reason like others, refused to use the bike path or sidewalk to ride on, then I guess that asinine decision cost you this time. I am an avid runner and get out of the way when a car is coming (if I run in the road). Its a simple decision really. Roads are made for cars. Get of them if one is coming from ahead or behind you. Seriously...how stupid are you to ride your bike or run in the road where cars are doing 55 mph. I can understand side roads, neighborhoods etc...but in a 55 mph zone?