Father-son cyclists hit by car on River Road; father dead, son in critical condition

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — One cyclist, 47-year-old Ronald Doolittle II, is dead, and another, his 17-year-old son Ronald Doolittle III, is suffering from severe head injuries after being hit by a car early Sunday.

Highway Patrol Trooper B.R. Phillips says a Buick sedan, driven by Thomas Grooms Jr., swerved into the bike lane and collided with the two cyclists.

The driver of the car has been charged with felony death by motor vehicle, felony DWI inflicting serious bodily injury, cocaine possession, open container and careless and reckless driving among other charges.

Grooms is in custody under a $500,000 secure bond.

Doolittle III is still at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in critical condition.