Driver was drunk, speeding when he hit and killed CHOP doctor as she rode bicycle in Center City: DA
The driver had a blood alcohol concentration that was double the legal limit while traveling over 50 mph in a 25 mph zone: DA
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- The driver who fatally struck a Children's Hospital of Philadelphia doctor while she was bicycling last week was speeding while drunk behind the wheel, the district attorney's office said Thursday.
Dr. Barbara Friedes was killed at 18th and Spruce streets on July 17.
The suspect, 68-year-old Michael Vahey, had a blood alcohol concentration of .16, District Attorney Larry Krasner said, which is double the legal limit of .08.
He was traveling over 50 miles per hour in an area with a speed limit of 25 mph, Krasner said. Friedes was in the bike lane when she was hit.
Vahey's vehicle struck a number of other cars and nearly hit another pedestrian, investigators say.
Vahey has been charged with homicide by vehicle, involuntary manslaughter, driving under the influence, reckless driving and related offenses. He surrendered on Wednesday night and remains in custody.
Friedes, 30, who was originally from Colorado, treated pediatric cancer patients as an oncology resident at CHOP.
"It shows you what happens when someone under the influence gets behind the wheel of a car and now we have a tragic death," said Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel.
Her death again highlights the bicyclist community's push for more permanent solutions and protections, including concrete barricades for bike lanes.
Flex posts installed by the city, advocates say, are not enough.
"They're flexible. They are meant to be drivenover and they don't do much to slow down drivers," one advocate said.
Advocates said Thursday that lawmakers introduced bike safety legislation on the state level three separate times to no avail. They plan to try again.
"From where I'm standing this incident should galvanize that conversation," said Pa. Rep. Ben Waxman.
The D.A.'s office is asking that Vahey be held on $1 million bail.
Family seeks to make a change
As the family tries to navigate their lives without their middle daughter, they are dedicated to carrying on her work and saving more lives.
"It was very reassuring and very warm to know that she was making a difference," Friedes' father, John Dietrick, told Action News earlier this week.
The Dietricks, following in their daughter's steps, walked the halls of CHOP on Tuesday. Friedes' coworkers shared stories with her grieving family.
"They are going to use the strategies and ideas she shared with them in their daily practice. So hopefully she'll be able to continue to change lives through their practice," said her mother, Mary Dietrick.
READ MORE: 'Going to make a change': Family of CHOP oncology resident killed in crash push for bike safety
Her parents have now picked up that mission to make a change for the thousands of bicyclists in Philadelphia.
"We are going to make a change for the cyclists in this community and make sure no one else can get hurt," said Mary.
The Dietrick family is planning a public service for members of the CHOP community and will lay Friedes to rest privately in Florida.
