KENS San Antonio: Cyclist blindsided in fatal crash; family says he knew the dangers
by Brian New / KENS 5
September 27, 2012
SAN ANTONIO – He was riding his bicycle home from work on West Avenue when a 17-year-old driver reportedly struck and killed 55-year-old Devan Smith.
Smith is at least the seventh bicyclist to be killed by a driver in San Antonio in the past three years.
Smith, an avid rider, rode ten miles to and from work every day.
His brothers said he had just recently added more reflectors on his bicycle, yet they still worried.
His older brother Dan Smith said he sent his brother a text message every afternoon just to make sure he made it home.
On Wednesday, his brother never replied.
“He was probably lying on the ground dead at that moment,” said his brother.
Smith’s brothers, Dan and Rob, both said they feel sorry for the 17-year-old Churchill High School student who hit their brother.
“Devan would forgive him in a heart-beat,” said Dan Smith. His brothers do, too.
“We have no animosity towards that young man,” Dan added.
In October of 2009, Smith rode in a memorial ride for Greg Bruehler and his wife, Alexandra. The couple was killed while riding a tandem bicycle.
Rob Smith remembered his brother telling him about the ride.
“He said he was in tears doing that ride,” Rob recalled. “He said the local support for that was overwhelming.”
As of Thursday afternoon, the 17-year-old driver had not been charged with a crime. The police department said the crash remains under investigation.
