Injured cyclist issues plea to find woman who came to his aid

In the midst of frequent stories about hit-and-run drivers in crashes with bicyclists, it's refreshing to be reminded about the Good Samaritans out there.

It's so unusual, in fact, that cyclist Steven Davis of the UK wants to find the woman who came to his aid when he crashed his bicycle this summer, breaking two ribs and his collarbone.

The 46-year-old, who only recently returned to work after two months recovery, told the local newspaper:

“I’d just like to say thank you and get her some flowers or a box of chocolates. It’s not often these days people stop to offer their help.”

Not too often at all.

Hit-and-runs

Police in Michigan and New Mexico, for instance, are both looking for damaged minivans after they were involved in hit-and-run fatalities involving cyclists.

Sunday morning, Anthony Stemen, 51, was riding his bicycle in Frenchtown Township, south of Detroit, when he was struck from behind by a white Chevrolet Venture minivan, which sped away. The minivan probably had front-end damage. (Police arrest a suspect on Monday.)

Last week, police in Las Cruces, New Mexico launched a search for a 2002 Chevrolet Venture minivan after the driver struck and killed bicyclist Ricardo Duarte, 58. A $1,000 reward is being offered in that case. The minivan probably has damage to the passenger side. (Police interviewed a suspect on Thursday.)

Charges

On Sept. 30, Greenfield, Indiana, police officer Will Phillips, 32, was training on his bicycle when he was struck and killed by a motorist who sped away. Four days later, Sue Ann Vanderbeck, 61, surrendered to police, saying that she did not see Phillips and his two companions as she was distracted by young children in the vehicle. She pleaded not guilty to leaving the scene of a fatal accident.

The week before, Green Party Senate candidate Natasha Pettigrew, 30, of Maryland was struck and killed by a motorist who did not stop because she thought she had hit a deer or large dog. She called police several hours later when she noticed the bicycle lodged under her car. No charges have been filed; the Prince Georges County prosecutor says an investigation could take months.

Irresponsible

These cases all have two things in common: the collisions happened late at night or early in the morning, and the drivers did not act responsibly by stopping.

And they make the story from Hertford, that small town north of London, all that more amazing. No wonder Davis wants to thank the Good Samaritan.