Cyclist found dead after hit-and-run accident in Fort Worth – NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

Family and friends are mourning the tragic loss of a Fort Worth man who was killed doing what he loved: riding his bike.

Daniel Frost, 49, was found dead in the area of ​​East 1st Street and Beach Street on Saturday, May 11, after Fort Worth police received reports of a hit-and-run accident just before 6 a.m

After Frost’s death, an investigation was launched by homicide and traffic investigators. Officers said they believe Frost was riding a bicycle when he was struck by a vehicle not far from the north entrance to Gateway Park and left near death.

According to Frost’s family, he was an avid cyclist and knew the stretch of road. Every Saturday morning, Frost biked at least 10 miles in the area before meeting up with other cyclists.

“The bike looked like it was probably at least three blocks from where he was staying,” William Goodrich said. “It looked like (the bike) had had drugs under the car for a long time. It was simply destroyed. No tires. The seat was on the street.”

Goodrich and his wife live in the area. They use the nearby park trails daily and were horrified by the scene on Saturday.

“It was really bad,” Goodrich said. “It really scared us for a minute to come to that park.”

On Sunday, May 12, authorities arrested 26-year-old Rolando Cruz in connection with the fatal hit-and-run accident. He is accused of a collision resulting in death.

Cruz was booked into the Tarrant County Jail on a $40,000 bond.

As of Monday afternoon, investigators had not yet determined the cause of the crash. Cyclists in the area, like Andrew Clark, said they were shocked and on alert.

“Driving on the road is always a little tricky,” Clark said.

On Monday afternoon, Clark biked several miles on the shoulder of E. 1st Street, not far from the accident scene.

“I try to avoid Beach Street,” Clark said. “I usually drive down First Street, get on Trinity Trail and come back.”

However, Clark said his route had to change due to updates and Mother Nature.

“This trail will eventually become part of the Trinity Trails. So under normal conditions I can climb it,” Clark said.

“They closed the road under 820 for construction. And then there are several parts of the park where the trail has been washed out by erosion at Trinity. That’s why I took this return route (today).”

The City of Fort Worth recognizes the need for road improvements. A federally funded project to expand cycle paths is currently underway. According to the latest project update, E. 1st Street from I-35W to Haltom Road will be fully converted into a bike path.

In the meantime, cyclists, runners and others using the trails ask drivers to be courteous and give space to others on the road.

“Be very careful and make sure you give way because crowd rules apply,” Goodrich said. “I don’t care what the law says. Something bigger than you can seriously harm you.”

Family members have created a GoFundMe to support Frost’s memorial services, which is expected to be released in his name later this week.