Last December, bicyclist Craig Camlin was the victim of a heinous hit-and-run crash that left him horribly injured. Camlin succumbed to his injuries and passed away in February, but his story left a ripple effect across the cycling community, given the manner in which he was injured, the attention it brought to the dangers of cycling in Fort Lauderdale, and the seeming indifference of many drivers.
On Sunday, Camlin is being honored with a bike ride in Fort Lauderdale to not only celebrate his life and his love for cycling but also to bring even more awareness to the issue at hand.
See also: Axel Inostroza, Man Who Left Cyclist Behind Dumpster After Hitting Him With Car, Denied Bond
In the early-morning hours of December 16, Camlin was struck from behind by a Mustang while on his way to work.
According to police, Axel Esteban Inostroza, 27, rammed the 53-year-old Camlin and his bicycle on the 5200 block of NE 18th Avenue in Fort Lauderdale and proceeded to drag him for two miles. Camlin was thrown over the hood, where he landed in the rear window. Inostroza, police say, dumped a still-breathing Camlin next to a dumpster in the woods.
Landscapers found Camlin alive in the woods later in the day and called police. He was rushed to a local hospital, where initial reports said he was paralyzed from the accident.
Camlin succumbed to his injuries and died in February, while a charge of murder with a deadly weapon was tagged onto Inostoza's initial charges of leaving the scene of an accident and tampering with evidence. Inostroza is still awaiting trial.
But now Camlin's family is looking to memorialize him in a way that'll turn his senseless death into something positive, while honoring him.
The ride, which is scheduled to kick-off at 8:00 a.m., will take place at Snyder Park, located on 3299 SW 4th Ave. in Fort Lauderdale.
Organizers have secured a full police escort, which will follow cyclists from Snyder Park to the spot where Camlin was struck. There will be a short memorial service to honor Camlin at the location before cyclists ride back to Snyder Park.
Overall, the ride will cover about 25 miles in all, and cyclists will be asked to ride in a single pack at 18-to-25 miles per hour.
Several hundred cyclists are expected, and the group is asking for $10 donations from participants, with the proceeds going to Bit by Bit Therapy.
You can visit the Memorial Ride For Craig Camlin Facebook page here.
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