The Philadelphia Inquirer: Man struck by bicyclist in Center City dies
By Allison Steele
Inquirer Staff Writer
The 40-year-old paralegal who was hospitalized earlier this month after apparently being hit by a bicyclist in Center City died over the weekend, friends said.
Andre Steed died early Saturday after spending more than a week in a medically induced coma, said his former coworker, Sal Guerriero.
The Center City law firm where Steed worked, Caesar, Rivise, Bernstein, Cohen & Pokotilow, has offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person who struck Steed, said Guerriero, an attorney with the firm.
“We’re just floored,” Guerriero said, speaking for Steed’s other coworkers. “Given the severity of his injuries, we knew this was a possibility. But I guess you’re never prepared to hear something like this.”
Steed’s family declined to comment yesterday, saying through a representative that they were too distraught.
Steed was taken to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital around 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 15, after police picked him up near the intersection of 16th and Locust. Steed was found on the street, bleeding from severe head injuries. Steed was put into a coma to prevent further brain swelling, his family said.
An autopsy is being conducted, Guerriero said, and tentative plans are being made to hold a funeral on Friday.
Initially, police reported the incident as a transport to the hospital. They later learned that several people in the area heard a loud noise, then saw Steed and another man on the ground. The other man had been riding a bicycle and apparently crashed into Steed. The cyclist got up, fixed the handlebars on his bike, and acknowledged that he had swerved out of the path of a car and hit Steed, witnesses said. He then fled the scene.
Police have reported no leads in the case as of yet.
In general, cyclists are subject to the same regulations as drivers, according to state law. That means the cyclist who hit Steed could be charged with leaving the scene of an accident, if he is found.
Anyone with information is asked to call the police or 215-546-TIPS (8477).
