A cyclist has died after he was hit in downtown D.C. by a driver who fled the scene.
Thomas Hendricks Hollowell, 64, of Arlington, Virginia, was on his way to work Monday morning at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History when he was hit by a dark-colored sedan. Police say the driver ran a red light and hit Hollowell at high speed.
Hollowell was taken to a hospital in serious condition and he later died.
The driver has not been found.
Carol Regier, Hollowell's wife, wants to know more about why the driver sped through a red light.
"I hope and pray that there was a real significant reason for why he had to go so fast and why he had to disregard the traffic light," Regier said. "I can only imagine that there might be a reason."
Regier said Hollowell rode his bike to work every day, and she asked him to send a text when he arrived safely.
On Monday, Regier was visiting her baby granddaughter in North Carolina. She never received that text, but instead got a terrifying phone call from one of her husband's coworkers.
Regier rushed to her husband's side. She arrived shortly before he died at the hospital.
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"This may be my calling: to get better safety conditions on the roads for bikes and for pedestrians," Regier said. "He would certainly appreciate that."
Holloway inspired many coworkers to bike more often, Regier said. But the downtown area can pose dangers to bikers.
"Red light runners. Unfortunately, this area is known for it," Dan Cole, a coworker of the victim, said.
Cyclists in the area said they are shocked by another crash involving a cyclist.
"There are societies where there are tons of cyclists on the road and they don't have these problems, so it's possible, but I think it involves a larger culture change," one woman said.
The 12th Street Tunnel and the 1000 through 1300 blocks of Constitution Avenue were closed for hours after the crash but later reopened.
Police said they will be checking red light camera footage in a search of the driver. The car was last seen heading northbound on 12th Street NW.
The crash Monday occurred three days after a man riding an electric scooter was hit and killed near Dupont Circle.
Anyone with information for police is asked to call 202-727-9099.
