A cyclist who was struck by a driver later charged with a felony DUI has succumbed to his injuries, according to Charleston police.
The cyclist has not yet been identified.
The accident took place at about 9:03 p.m. on Sun. May 12. [content-3] The driver, Gabriela Bennett of Mt. Pleasant, was driving north on King Street when her Subaru struck a cyclist traveling in the same direction between Sheppard and Engel streets, according to a press release from the Charleston Police Department.
The cyclist was immediately transported to MUSC, where he was in critical condition. He died Tuesday at 4:15 p.m.
Bennett was arrested on a felony driving under the influence charge after she failed a field sobriety test. On Thursday, Charleston police spokesman Charles Francis announced that her charge has since been upgraded to felony DUI involving death, with an added charge of reckless vehicular homicide.
[content-1] “The bicyclist in this collision was traveling lawfully in the roadway when he was struck,” the department said in a statement released Wednesday afternoon. “This collision is another tragic example of a traffic fatality that could have and should have been prevented. There is no excuse for anyone to get behind the wheel while impaired and to not pay attention for others sharing the roadway.”
This is the second cyclist death in the Charleston area this week. A cyclist was pronounced dead on the scene in North Charleston after he was struck by an SUV early Tuesday morning.
May is national Bicycle Safety Month. Locally, Charleston Moves is observing Mobility Month with a series of activities to raise awareness of bike, pedestrian, and transportation issues. [content-6]
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