A tragic accident occurred on Saturday, Mar. 11 at 3 p.m. at the intersection of North Main Street and Lake Wheeler Road located in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina. This resulted in the death of the man bicycling on the road.

The bike was traveling along Lake Wheeler Road when a red Jeep collided with the man, causing the windshield of the vehicle to shatter and causing a major accident on the highway. 

The 72- year-old cyclist, Richard Eric Fish, was a former professor at North Carolina State University. He was able to educate many students during his teaching career and publish work with his background in veterinary medicine. 

The intersection is known for being extremely busy due to it being connected to Highway 401, and people in the area know it for having high speeds and being difficult to navigate.

Police, paramedics, and fire crew rushed to the scene of the crime, which led to an in-depth investigation. Nearby roads were closed because of the investigation and causing heavy amounts of traffic in the area. 

Police Chief Brandon Medina was unable to determine who was responsible for this fatal accident. Medina and his staff spent hours investigating the area around the crime scene, trying to get a better understanding of what happened that afternoon. 

The driver was charged with driving without a license, which can cause them to face up to 20 days in jail or pay a fine of up to $200. 

The turns along this highway can be difficult for many drivers to complete, and can already be frustrating for both new and experienced drivers. 

Fuquay has had an increase in many cyclists in the area in the past few years. Many of the roads in town have sidewalks for pedestrians but not enough room for cyclists. 

Roads in town can get extremely crowded and busy throughout the day, which can already be hard for people trying to walk in the area, let alone bike in. 

There are no bike lanes in the city of Fuquay-Varina, and pedestrians are strongly advised to not bike on main roads or highways in the area. This can lead to hurt pedestrians and many accidents. Police in the area are trying their best to keep everyone informed and safe to prevent future injuries.