Bicyclist killed by speeding driver in Center City identified as CHOP oncology resident

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- The bicyclist who was struck and killed by a speeding driveron Wednesday nightin Center City has been identified as an oncology resident at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Barbara Friedes, 30, who was originally from Colorado, treated pediatric cancer patients.

Her brother told Action News that this loss will have a huge ripple effect, not only within her family but also within the medical community and the patients she helped every day at CHOP.

"Barbara was a beacon of light, and given her many talents, skills, and achievements, was selected to be a Chief Resident at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia for this academic year," Dr. Jeanine Ronan, attending physician and the Program Director of the Pediatrics Residency Program at CHOP, said in a statement.

"She was loved by so many and embodied kindness, strength and a deep compassion for all who crossed her path. This morning, the CHOP community is in mourning following her tragic loss and keeping her family, friends and loved ones in our hearts," Ronan continued.

That love felt for Friedes was confirmed by Avis Chen Boulter. She came to the scene of the crash to lay flowers in her honor, saying her daughter worked with Friedes at CHOP. She said her daughter was heartbroken.

"Everybody there is pretty broken up," she said.

The crash happened around 7 p.m. while Friedes was traveling in a designated bike lane at 18th and Spruce streets.

Police say Friedes was thrown about 20 to 30 feet before she hit the ground. She was rushed to an area hospital for injuries to her head.

Witnesses say neighbors and police rushed to help, but she was pronounced dead at the hospital.

"I saw people tending to the biker and doing chest compressions," Ryan Cooper said.

He tells Action News he lives nearby where the accident occurred. "I went and checked on the elderly driver. He didn't really speak much English."

"I just remember what I saw and when I closed my eyes, all I see is that moment of a person upside down in the air," said Jessie of Porch, of West Philadelphia, who was riding their bike at the time.

Police say the 68-year-old driver in a Volkswagen was speeding down Spruce Street just before the crash. Witnesses say he was driving in the bike lane.

"We heard it go over the pegs that block off the bike line and we thought it was gunshots," said Lee Newswanger, who lives in Rittenhouse Square.

"To see a high-speed collision with a cyclist this is like my deepest fear," added Porch.

Police say the driver continued down Spruce Street, crashing into two unoccupied parked cars.

The force of the impact caused the vehicle to do a 180 coming to rest in the opposite direction. Police said the man was alert at the scene and taken to the hospital.

"They did say he was talkative at the hospital, the elderly gentleman driving the vehicle," DiSanto said.

Police are looking to determine what caused the crash and why the driver was speeding on a narrow neighborhood street.

There is no word on the condition of the driver.

Family says Friedes had a car but chose to ride her bike every day.

She is being remembered as smart, kindhearted and very giving.

Her death had an impact on the cyclist community. Several people showed up at the scene of the crash throughout the day Thursday to lay flowers and candles in Friedes honor. Many said it was necessary because what happened to her could've happened to any one of them.

"It could've been me. It could've been any one of my friends or any one of our neighbors," said Jessie Amadio of Philly Bike Action, a group that advocates for cyclist safety.

While the cause of the crash is currently unknown, Amadio and others said the accident may have been avoided if the city hadn't cut more than a million dollars from Vision Zero, a program that aims to eliminate traffic deaths.

Money was moved, but the city said Thursday that it was allocated for a speed cushion and traffic calming program which are said to be major parts of Vision Zero.

"Infrastructures only a part of it," Chris Gail, President of Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, said. "We have to think through how do we convince our fellow Philadelphians that we need to slow down and share the road together."

In a statement, Mayor Cherelle Parker said she supports proactive safety measures for cyclists and pedestrians, adding "I take traffic safety very seriously -- and very personally."

The 6abc Data Journalism Team found this is the first fatal accident involving a cyclist in Philadelphia this year. The city has averaged about six every year since 2019.