Hit-and-run caught on cyclist's helmet-mounted camera



SEATTLE -- A bicyclist caught an SUV colliding with him at a busy Seattle intersection and driving off at a high rate of speed.

It was a collision at Dexter Aveue North and Thomas Street caught on the cyclists’ helmet-mounted camera. He’s now sharing the video to spread awareness about rules of the road.

Another cyclist, Michael Wang, died from a hit-and-run crash at the very same intersection four years ago.

For his commute from Fremont to Westlake, software engineer Trip Volpe chooses to bike.

“It’s definitely not bad,” said Volpe. “On the whole, most days I feel pretty safe.”

But on Friday, as he was heading northbound on Dexter Avenue, he said he couldn’t react fast enough when an SUV turned in front of him. Volpe’s GoPro camera was rolling -- capturing the scene not just as he’s hit but as the driver speeds off.

“I was pretty livid right after it happened,” Volpe said Monday. “I was fueled by adrenaline, and I got up and started running after him.”

Volpe said upon a closer look, it even appears the driver had a phone in his hand.

Seattle Police said the driver later turned himself in and could face charges. They said Volpe not only had the right of way, but the driver failed to stop at a scene of an accident, which could lead to jail time.

“It’s definitely a concern,” said Volpe. “It’s why I try to be hyper-vigilant and go through the slightly paranoid attitude that everybody I see is trying to kill me.”

Volpe walked away with a sprained thumb and some road rash, so he considers himself lucky.

“I just wanted to put up a warning and let people know this happens and if you are a driver, put your phone down until you get to your destination and if you are cyclist, go into fearing the worst,” said Volpe.

Volpe said the reason he had a GoPro on his helmet in the first place was because a similar incident involving a hit-and-run driver a few years ago. He said the best advice to bicyclists is to be defensive riders.