Information sought in death of elderly cyclist

The search continues for answers in the death of an 85-yearold man who was hit by a car while riding his bicycle late at night.

The search continued Tuesday for answers surrounding the death of an 85-year-old man who was hit by a car while riding his bicycle through late-night darkness.

There was no shrine of flowers, candles or cards along a manicured stretch of West 43rd Street in the Garden Oaks subdivision, just a blue fire hydrant rising up from the green grass and a pair of discarded bifocal reading glasses.

There were also plenty of questions about Marvin Rucker, who was hit Monday at about 11 p.m near the corner of 43rd and Sue Barnett — approximately one mile from Rucker’s home on Cadmus in Independence Heights.

“Where was he going? Where was he coming from?” asked a neighbor. “What was he doing on such a busy street so late at night?”

Rucker was rushed to Memorial Hermann Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. The mangled blue bicycle was carted away by authorities.

Witnesses said the bike had no reflectors or lights, and Rucker did not appear to be wearing a helmet.

Police said the driver of the Hyundai Elantra who hit Rucker immediately pulled over and

called 911. No charges have been filed, but the investigation continues, according to Houston police.

There was no stop sign or crosswalk in the area, and it appeared the man was trying to cross the roadway, police said.

A witness said it appeared that Rucker was crossing the street.

“He just pulled out in front of him,” motorist Conner Stanard said of the bicyclist.

Stanard said he immediately pulled over, threw on his hazard lights, and checked to see that Rucker was breathing.

The bike was in the grass by the hydrant. Rucker was lying about 30 yards away on the street.

“I’ve never witnessed anything like it before,” Stanard said.