UPDATE: South Bend bicyclist dies of injuries from hit and run

WSBT and Tribune Staff Report

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Pat Sawyer was injured while bicycling in South Bend early Wednesday morning (WSBT Photo)

Pat Sawyer died overnight from injuries caused by a hit and run.The driver has since turned himself in. (Photo provided)

By Tiffany Griffin

Story Created: Jul 21, 2008 at 7:44 AM EST

Story Updated: Jul 21, 2008 at 2:24 PM EST

SOUTH BEND — Patrick Sawyer, a bicyclist who was hit by a passing vehicle last week, has died overnight from his injuries.

About 5 a.m. Wednesday, 40-year-old Sawyer, an elite canoeist, was westbound on a bicycle in the 17000 block of Cleveland Road, riding with traffic, when he was apparently struck from behind by a driver who has since turned himself in to police.

Police say Shane Ryan McGee, 21, of South Bend admitted to being the driver of the vehicle that struck Sawyer.

Sawyer was following traffic rules and was wearing a helmet and reflective vest. He also had several lights on his bicycle.

Investigators have turned the case over to the prosecutor's office for formal criminal charges.

More information can be found here: http://www.patrick.sawyersweb.com

Tuesday, Jul 22 at 10:12 PM Brad wrote ...

Stop making excuses for drivers. Bikes have every right to be on the road any time or day of the week. This is becoming all to common for people to criticize and blame the victims rather than accept responsibility for obnoxious, inconsiderate, careless, wreckless and selfish behavior.

Tuesday, Jul 22 at 10:11 PM Deepest sympathy to the Sawyers. wrote ...

The driver who KILLED this father/husband may not have "tried" to hit the bicycle. He may have been just one more of the selfish spoiled brats that flood our society. He may have a few nightmares about what he did, but- HE FORFEITED ALL RIGHTS TO PITY when he proved his utter lack of character and left THE VICTIM lying on the road. The car driver IS NOT A VICTIM HERE! Shame on you for even thinking that! Just goes to show how low our society has sunk, that someone 8yrs can't define "victim".

Tuesday, Jul 22 at 9:47 PM anonymous wrote ...

I just could not hold myself from responding to what "God help you all" wrote. First of all, the point is not whether this kid did it intentionally or not.Most likely it was not intentional. The point is, he left helpless poor Pat at the scene of the accident, knowing exactly what happened. And please "God help you all", don't tell me that he didn't know he had hit someone. How did the neighbor who called 911 hear the commotion and the driver did not? Explain that to me.

Tuesday, Jul 22 at 6:14 PM Kristy wrote ...

My heart goes out to both families. I am sure the driver did not intend to hit someone. Everyone just needs to remember it could happen to anyone of us driving. That one split second you take your eyes off the road could change many lives forever. We are all guility of absent minded driving. As far as the driver leaving only the driver can say if they saw the rider or not. What would you do? Nobody knows for sure until faced with such fear. God Bless.

Tuesday, Jul 22 at 5:40 PM Janice wrote ...

My greatest symathy goes out to the family of the deceased. I know us bicyclist have to be on the look out for those airhead motorists, but we have to do our part as well. I still would like to get a patistion going about changing the laws or rules about riding on the left side of the rode, so that we have a better chance at seeing non careful people go off the road for some reason. I think this is a good example of the present law,about riding on the right side. Too many noncareful young people

Tuesday, Jul 22 at 3:24 PM Linda wrote ...

To 12:34 pm While I agree he probably had no intention of hitting him or anyone that morning just the same the road belongs to bicycles also. Strangely, he turned himself in so I don't buy into the old "I didn't know I hit anybody crap." He knew exactly what he did and thank god his conscious bothered him or he was afraid someone saw him. Either way, defensive driving all the time even early in the morning is priority one. The victim died! The driver cowardly left the scene. One victim only!

Tuesday, Jul 22 at 2:57 PM Jeff wrote ...

TO: God help you all...I agree there is more than 1 victim...but it's NOT the driver. It's the cyclist, his family and the family of the driver. Any sympathy goes out the window for the driver once he choose to flee the scene and not help the fellow human he had just hit and now we see killed. The crash may have been an accident, but not helping him was a CHOICE. So I choose not to have sympathy for him.

Tuesday, Jul 22 at 11:35 AM AT wrote ...

Although I don't know the family personally, my thoughts and prayers are with all of you. I went to the family web site posted above and they looked like the perfect family and it is sad to know that a careless driver has changed this for them forever. I really feel sorry for the children and especially the little girl who has a birthday this week and a funeral as well. I pray for you to have the strength to make it through this tragedy.

Tuesday, Jul 22 at 11:34 AM God help you ALL wrote ...

The comments on here are HORRIBLE. You all sound like this 21-year old (KID) did this on purpose. It is horrible that it happened but it was NOT intentional. Obviously he did NOT see this bicyclist or expect him on a busy road at 5 A.M. There are TWO victims here. Stop throwing stones ALL of you and take steps to protect this from happening again.

Tuesday, Jul 22 at 10:47 AM Ricky wrote ...

Please, give yourself up. You must be careful not to run someone on the street. Remember, you have a brother and a sister who walk the streets, they could be hit by someone too. Ask Jesus to forgive for what you have done. OK?

Tuesday, Jul 22 at 12:50 AM James wrote ...

The family is in my thoughts. Nothing I can say will make their loss easier. It's sad to hear about the loss of a husband, a father, and another cyclist. It has to stop.

Monday, Jul 21 at 5:43 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Patrick was an intelligent, caring, and wonderful person. He will be missed greatly, and my prayers are with him and his family. God bless all of you.

Monday, Jul 21 at 5:37 PM Jason wrote ...

Just a reminder to the guy that hit this great guy. Remember while you are sitting in jail. If you would have only stopped to help the MAN YOU HIT.

Monday, Jul 21 at 3:37 PM me wrote ...

I hope they hang this guy too!!!!!!!!!!

Monday, Jul 21 at 3:27 PM pam wrote ...

My prayers are with the family at this time. I am a bike rider and I feel we should go back to the rules of riding a bike against traffic like walking. I would like to see what is coming at me on a bike you have no idea what is behind you. Lets try to get a law passed allowing bike riders to ride agaist traffic, I know I would feel much better at riding. There more and more bike riders out there now with gas prices high, At least you could get out of the way if you saw something coming at you.

Monday, Jul 21 at 3:21 PM Mary wrote ...

First of all, my deepest condolences to this family. This is a horrible tragedy. Next, it is past time for the cities of Mishawaka and South Bend to make bicycling SAFER and easier for its citizens. People who hit bike riders should face steeper penalties, and their needs to be road/sidewalks available for bikes to ride on. Gas isn't going down soon, but car/bike accidents are on the rise...this isn't acceptable. Our cities need to fix this before another family goes though this.

Monday, Jul 21 at 2:36 PM Terri wrote ...

I am so sorry for your loss.

Monday, Jul 21 at 2:11 PM Anonymous wrote ...

My condolences to the family.

Monday, Jul 21 at 2:10 PM Carolyn wrote ...

This is so tragic. I agree with the one who wrote that it is safer to ride against traffic as walkers do. I know it is against the law to do so but I always ride that way so I can see what is coming at me. I don't like cars coming up behind me.

Monday, Jul 21 at 12:56 PM Kevin wrote ...

such a tragic event. also, just last week in front of my house in Mishawaka a child was riding a bike and someone threw something at him from a moving car breaking his hand. luckily they were caught.

Monday, Jul 21 at 12:52 PM T wrote ...

My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.

Monday, Jul 21 at 12:29 PM Madeline wrote ...

Please accept my heartfelt apologizies for your great loss. Somehow G-d will give you the inner strength to make it through this difficult time. Prayers go out to you and your entire family.

Monday, Jul 21 at 12:18 PM mj wrote ...

Sincere condolences to the family.

Monday, Jul 21 at 11:37 AM Sympathies wrote ...

I am so sorry for your loss at this time. Please allow God to comfort all of you at this time.

Monday, Jul 21 at 11:36 AM Kevin wrote ...

I feel bad and drivers be very careful slow down. Watch the people riding bicycles.

Monday, Jul 21 at 11:33 AM Anonymous wrote ...

I think all bike riders should be allowed to ride against traffic like you do when you are walking. At least he would have had a chance to get of this idiots way. Lets Push to change the law back to where it use to be. I bet the number of accidents would drop considerably.

Monday, Jul 21 at 11:27 AM Lisa wrote ...

I don't know these people, but they are in my thoughts and prayers. I have been to the website for Patrick, and he was an awsome human being. I guess God had bigger plans for him in heaven. May you all find peace and comfort during these very hard times.

Monday, Jul 21 at 10:53 AM Mindy wrote ...

So sorry to hear of Patricks passing. May God be with his wife, children and family during this difficult time.

Monday, Jul 21 at 9:57 AM So Sad wrote ...

This is a tragic ending...I will pray for your family.

Monday, Jul 21 at 9:53 AM Dianne wrote ...

I add my condolences. I quit riding my bicycle around South Bend after I was run off the road several times, had a full can of beer thrown at me and had someone try to touch me as they drove past. Bicyclists deserve respect, too.

Monday, Jul 21 at 9:50 AM Carol wrote ...

So sorry for the family,because they will miss him. cherish his love of life...

Monday, Jul 21 at 9:49 AM Don wrote ...

I feel such sorrow for your family,I too am an avid cyclist with 4 kids and a wife.May God hold you and your family in His hands as you work your way through this time of grief. You are in our prayers.

Monday, Jul 21 at 9:39 AM Lindaq wrote ...

There is nothing more the bicylist could have possibly done to be any safer. My heartfelt condolences to your family and friends. Drivers: Stop eating, putting on make up and talking on cell phones when driving. Driving requires your full attention!

Monday, Jul 21 at 9:16 AM Heather King wrote ...

My husband and I do not know your family but you all are in our prayers. My husband is a triathlete and trains with other athletes in the area and I constantly worry about them while they are on the road. Dan & Heather King Plymouth.

Monday, Jul 21 at 8:25 AM JoAnn wrote ...

This is so sad. I was hoping he would pull through. My condolences to his family and friends.

Monday, Jul 21 at 8:21 AM Michelle wrote ...

May God Bless this family. His 4 children will need the love of there family and the community. God Bless You All.

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