DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF News ) – The bicycling community in Dallas is raising awareness about the importance of road safety after another cyclist was killed in a hit-and-run involving a car.
Dallas Police arrested 29-year-old Kenneth Connors III on a second-degree felony charge of accident involving death on Thursday in the Sunday morning killing of 45-year-old Billy Watley.
Watley, a father of four and grandfather, was hit while cycling along Kleburg Road on Sunday around 7 a.m. The fatal encounter was caught on home surveillance video.
Connors III is behind held in the Dallas County Jail on $100,000 bond.
It’s a tragedy that has DFW cyclists sounding the alarm about the importance of road safety and the relationship between drivers and bikers while on the road.
David Sywak is with the Mirage Cycling Team in Dallas and said he’s been hit by a car while biking twice in the last five years.
He said both incidents involved inattentive drivers and wants anyone behind the wheel to heed this advice.
“When they do pass, they need to leave a 3 foot or greater border between themselves and the cyclist. I think they need to not underestimate how close they can pass the cyclist without adversely affecting the cyclist,” he said.
Sywake said he reminds cyclists to be on alert because some drivers are not willing to properly share the road with cyclists.
“Even if they are drivers who don’t mind sharing the road they shouldn’t be distracted and cyclists need to have lights on their bikes whether its dusk or dawn and they need to protect themselves by riding in groups,” he said.
Sebron Snyder is also an avid cyclist in Dallas and while he applauds the city for adding more protected bike lanes, he
“One little mistake and you can end a life or you can change a life. It takes little effort to slow down, to change lanes and maybe be five seconds more patient,” he said.
They’re both calling tougher penalties for anyone who causes injuries or death to cyclists while driving.
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