Biker dies after crash with distracted driver

A second person is dead after a car crashed into a group of cyclists over the weekend, police said Tuesday.

“We can confirm that bicyclist Carlos Rodriguez has died from his injuries sustained in the crash on Sunday,” Davie Police Sgt. Mark Leone said.

Rodriguez, 62, had undergone surgery at Broward Health Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale before he died.

Rider Denise Marsh died Sunday about an hour after the crash on eastbound State Road 84 about 8:38 a.m.

The group of bike riders, including members of the Cycling Family Broward club, were struck by a Honda Fit driven by Nicole Vanderweit, 33, of Broward County.

Vanderweit told investigators she was distracted and that there was sun glare before the crash, which injured six people, Leone said.

Cyclist Edgar Reyes was still hospitalized Tuesday and in stable condition, Leone said.

Riders Maria Bautista, 56, and John Beitz, 49, were treated at the hospital and in Davie at released.

A 14-year-old boy was scraped up but not hospitalized, officials said.

Davie police detectives are working to repair cellphones belonging to Vanderweit and one of the cyclists in the hopes that evidence, including texting history and videos, might be recovered, Leone said.

Vanderweit told WPLG-Ch.10 in a statement, “I am truly sorry that any of my actions led to the tragic events yesterday. My wholehearted condolence to Denise Marsh and her family.

“No words can express how sorry I am about your loss," Vanderweit said. "Please know that if I could trade places with Mrs. Marsh, I would."

Rodriguez had retired from Walgreens but got bored and returned to work part-time at area stores as a pharmacy technician, his colleague and friend Wilfredo Morales said.

The men had worked together at the Walgreens at 202 S. Federal Highway in Dania Beach, where Morales is manager.

He described as a giving man.

“When Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico, he got on the first flight,” Morales said. “He was going down Rodriguez to find his family, and also found my grandparents.”

Rodriguez had to travel to the middle of the island, through blocked roads and other obstacles but was able to find Morales’ grandparents and give them cash and air tickets the Morales family had sent.

“He found them, and made a video,” Morales said. “That was awesome, and something I’ll always remember.”

Rodriguez was married to Iris, and the couple lived in Hollywood and had an adult son, Daniel, Morales said.

“He always said he lived very happy life, and he

aloved his family,” Morales said. “He and Iris used to travel a lot, to the Greek Islands, to Mexico. They had planned to travel to Egypt next year.”

Morales said it was very sad that his friend’s death was related to cycling, something he was passionate about. But, he added, “I have good memories.”

Reached at his Davie home Tuesday was crash survivor Beitz, a director of the cycling club who was resting his battered body. His injuries include two broken ribs and a long line of stitches that stretched

Hours: M-F along his left side.

“I’m hurting,” said Beitz, a commercial boiler mechanic. “I was one of the ones hit by the car.”

Beitz said the route the club was riding was one they normally take on weekends. He doesn’t remember a lot of what happened, but said some of the club’s most experienced riders were killed or injured.

“I just know I got hit and it sounded like gunshots or firecrackers, when all the bikes’ carbon rims and frames started breaking and snapping,” Beitz said.

He said of his friends who died, Rodriguez “was awesome. Denise was awesome.”

Marsh was a vice president of the club and “did everything for everybody,” Beitz said. “It’s a major loss. It hasn’t hit home yet. I was riding in front of her [when the crash happened.]”

The eastbound stretch of State Road 84 where the fatal collisions took place has two parallel lanes.

State law allows two bicyclists to ride side-by-side, which can encourage cars to give them space while passing or to take the inside lane and avoid the riders. But if traffic is being impeded, cyclists must ride single file.

That morning, Beitz said, “We were riding in a double file.”

Police have not yet provided a full reconstruction of the accident.

Leone said the bicyclists who were struck by the Honda were in the outside column that was riding near the center of the right lane.

Beitz said just before the collision, club leaders were organizing the riders to maintain their two-by-two formation.

“I turned around and checked on Denise, called out “regroup” and “all in,” to make sure that we were all in line ... Next thing I know, I’m flying through the air,” Beitz said.

After the collision, Beitz said he tried to raise his head from the pavement but passed out.

“We pride ourselves on safety,” Beitz said. “I’m still trying to process it. I lay in bed and wonder why.”