Earth Day fatality

and one less
Wrightwood neighbor

Tyler Fabeck
1985 - 2008

The Chicago Tribune reports on 21 April:

The bicyclist killed Sunday when, according to police, he turned in front of an oncoming car loved the sport.

Tyler Fabeck, 22, participated in the Chicago Critical Mass bike rides every month.

"He knew everything about road biking and fixing up your bike," his brother, Jason, 25, said Monday. "I miss him a whole lot."

Tyler Fabeck was riding west on Logan Boulevard and turning south onto Western Avenue when the collision occurred about 1:15 a.m. Sunday, authorities said.

And WBBM 780 reports the stern warning by Chicago's Finest:

The driver of the vehicle was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, but police stressed the importance of cyclists following traffic signals and wearing proper safety gear. Fabeck was not wearing a helmet when he was struck. Head injuries are believed to be the cause of his death, police said. An autopsy is under way.

The captain said this was their first cycling fatality of the season. Officers are being urged to stop cyclists who are violating traffic laws.

"I told roll call, 'If you see a bicyclist violating a law, stop them,'" he said, "It can save their life."