Patrick Sawyer

Patrick Sawyer, an Indiana resident, was struck by a hit-and-run driver while riding his bike to go swimming at the Michiana YMCA. As he lay in the hospital in critical condition, the driver turned himself in. Patrick died five days later, on July 21.

This news comes to me through a friend in the homeschool community. Patrick was a homeschooling father of four children, was an avid enthusiast of paddle sports, and gave workshops on kayaking at the most recent local homeschool conference.

The Sawyer Family has created a  website with information and tribute to Patrick. Here are some words from his wife, Nancy:

The biggest thing for me right now is the bicycle/road safety issue in our community.  It is simply unacceptable.  As a driver, I know how frustrating and even maddening it can be when I’m in a hurry and suddenly come up on a cyclist which forces me to completely slow down, wait for all oncoming traffic to clear, and give a wide margin.  As a concerned citizen with pertinent issues like fitness, environment, global warming, and high gas prices, I want to limit my driving and bicycle where I can.  I want my children to be able to bicycle to the library, nearby store, friend’s house, etc.  Right now, in our Michiana community, it is not safe.

If you’d like to help me and Patrick right now, please consider how we can make this community more bicycle-friendly and bicycle-safe; a place where both cyclists and drivers can peacefully and safely co-exist.

We are no strangers to loss here, and our hearts go out to you, Nancy, your kids, your entire close-knit family and your friends.

Peace.

Comments

[Peter Wang]

Horrifying. I used to live in Michiana many years ago, and this news hits home very hard.

[Tom]

Wow.... horrible is too good a word. My prayers for his family.