A 30-year-old doctor was fatally struck by a car while riding her bicycle near Rittenhouse Square on Wednesday evening, police said.
A blue 2018 Volkswagen driven by a 68-year-old man collided with the bicyclist on the 1800 block of Spruce Street at 7 p.m., investigators said. Police identified the cyclist as Barbara Ann Friedes, a third-year pediatric resident at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
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Friedes was wearing a helmet and traveling in the designated bike lane when she was struck from behind, police said. She flew at least 20 feet off her bike after being struck, sustaining severe head trauma, investigators said. Medics transported her to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 7:20 p.m.
Authorities have not identified the driver, who was taken to Jefferson with minor injuries. The driver has not been charged, and police towed the Volkswagen. Police said there was no information on how fast the Volkswagen was traveling.
A photo of the aftermath on Reddit shows at least two other cars damaged from the crash. Police said the Volkswagen hit a 2019 Nissan, a 2018 Toyota and a 2019 Lexus that were legally parked on the street.
Said Dr. Jeanine Ronan, the attending physician and the Program Director of the Pediatrics Residency Program at CHOP: "Barbara was a beacon of light, and given her many talents, skills, and achievements, was selected to be a Chief Resident at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for this academic year. She was loved by so many and embodied kindness, strength and a deep compassion for all who crossed her path. This morning, the CHOP community is in mourning following her tragic loss and keeping her family, friends and loved ones in our hearts."
The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia called Wednesday "a sad and horrific day for pedestrians and bicyclists in Philadelphia." The advocacy group also cited a fatal crash at the corner of Frankford and East Allegheny avenues. A pedestrian standing at the corner was fatally struck by a black Toyota sedan at 7 p.m.
Another bike advocacy group, Philly Bike Action, had planned a "Bike Lane Party" at Spruce and 17th streets on Sunday, July 21. Due to the fatal crash on Wednesday, the party will now be a vigil, the group said.
Bicycle advocates have criticized Mayor Cherelle Parker for decreasing funds for Vision Zero projects by about 60% in the city's latest budget, despite her public commitment to the initiative in March. Vision Zero is an initiative that seeks to end all traffic fatalities by 2030.