Philip Geeck, 52, killed in bicycle crash with tractor trailer in New Orleans on July 17.

Modified Date: 
Wed, 09/24/2014 - 11:37am
Accident Date: 
Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Cyclist killed in Marigny crash remembered as creative and kindhearted

Geeck was also an avid cyclist, Whitaker said, and biked most places, including back and forth from his myriad jobs every day.

Marigny bicycle fatality a 'right hook' at a treacherous intersection, advocates say

Geeck's death is rekindling a public debate about bicycle safety and the rights and responsibilities of both vehicle drivers and cyclists, just as New Orleans expands its network of bike lanes and two-wheeled commuters rise in numbers.

Marigny intersection where cyclist was killed was the scene of a nearly identical wreck in 2005

In neither case was the driver of the truck cited after the wreck.

Cyclist killed in Marigny identified by Orleans Parish Coroner

According to witness accounts of the crash, the truck was traveling on St. Claude Avenue toward the French Quarter and turned lakebound onto Elysian Fields when Geeck was struck.

A cyclist killed after being struck by a tractor-trailer truck Thursday afternoon in the Marigny has been identified by the Orleans Parish Coroner.

Philip Geeck, 52, was pronounced dead on the scene after being hit and run over by the truck about 1:40 p.m. near the intersection of St. Claude and Elysian Fields avenues, said John Gagliano, a spokesman for the Orleans Parish coroner's office.

The truck driver, identified only as a 51-year-old man from Violet, was neither arrested nor cited, according to NOPD spokesman Officer Garry Flot.

According to witness accounts of the crash, the truck was traveling on St. Claude Avenue toward the French Quarter and turned lakebound onto Elysian Fields when Geeck was struck.

"The cyclist passed me on the right in the bike lane on St. Claude as I was coming up behind the turning truck. I thought, 'Oh, I hope he's sees the truck turning,' and then I saw he tried to brake," said Victor Pizarro, who was driving about two car lengths behind the truck at the time of the accident.

"But then the rear wheel of his bike got caught under the third or fourth set of the truck's wheels, and he kind of got sucked under."

Pizarro said he saw nothing to indicate the truck driver had seen the cyclist coming before making his wide turn.

Police said their investigation was ongoing, and that blood test results to determine if impairment was a factor were pending.

Police ask anyone with information on Thursday's incident to contact fatality traffic investigator Kevin Thompson at 504.658.6200.

People Involved: 
Philip Geeck

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