Cyclist recalls hit-and-run crash that injured him and his dog - Gulf Coast News

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Cyclist recalls hit-and-run crash that injured him and his dog Gulf Coast News

PUNTA GORDA, FL - Jeff Weiler's life changed in seconds on Tuesday when he went cycling with his service dog.

A driver plowed into Weiler on his recumbent bike and kept driving as if nothing happened.

"I noticed a car stop, coming to a stop almost and making an abrupt turn. The tires squealed. I stopped, and she slammed into me. She got me, knocked me up in the air, got my dog," Weiler said.

It happened at the corner of W Retta Esplanade and Durrance Street in Punta Gorda.

"I must have blacked out for a minute because I didn't realize until I saw the video how far she had pushed me," said Weiler.

When Weiler came to, he was lying on the ground next to the curb. He says he knows the driver saw him.

"I saw her look at me just as she was hitting me," said Weiler.

Still, the driver sped off, leaving Weiler in the street bruised and bloody. His service dog ran off after the crash. The police eventually tracked him down, but he was hurt too.

"It ripped the pads off of both its front feet, and he's, you know, he's limping around, he's recovering now," said Weiler.

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Punta Gorda police say Vicky Mcphee was the woman behind the wheel. They arrested her later that day. According to the report, Mcphee claims she didn't see anyone but was looking for the dog that ran out in front of her.

"It's pathetic. I mean, she knew she hit me. She knew my dog was in front of her. You know, it injured him, too," said Weiler.

As Weiler holds back tears, he's thankful the police showed up when they did.

"I mean, at first, I was trying to sit up, and then I couldn't because they thought I had broken my shoulder or collarbone or something, and they wouldn't let me sit up. They were. They lifted me up. They had me on the backboard like that," said Weiler.

Weiler hopes his story will make drivers will think twice about sharing the road with bicyclists.

Even after this near-death experience, he says he's determined to get back on his bike once he recovers.

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Cyclist and dog hit by car in Charlotte County

A routine bike ride in Charlotte County turned into a nightmare for Raymond Weiler and his dog, Tater.

“We were crossing Durrance one block down,” said Weiler, describing the moment before the incident. “All of a sudden, as I got to the road…we’ve all done it. She was going to miss her turn or something, and she turns the wheel squealed and she turned so fast her wheels were squeaking.”

Weiler recounted the terrifying moment when the car struck him.

“I stopped and right then she hit me and caught me with the right front corner of her car, backed me up in the air right in the air,” said Weiler. “Then she pushed me across the road up against the curb, and that’s when he got it, and I let go of him.”

The driver, identified by the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office as Vicky McPhee, did not stay at the scene.

“She took off and then he ran out into the road and she slowed down but he didn’t stop,” Weiler said. “He was way down by 41 North.”

Despite the ordeal, Weiler was fortunate to escape without broken bones, though he described the experience as painful.

“His feet may have come down under the tires and it shoved me him and bike under against the curb and it ripped the pads off the bottom of his feet,” he said.

The car crash was captured on neighborhood surveillance video, which led deputies to McPhee’s door. The neighbor who’s camera’s captured the hit and run, Garret Kizer, sent WINK News this statement:

“Both Gian and I are extremely grateful that the Punta Gorda Police Department were able to track down and arrest the driver in the hit-and-run of the bicyclist and their dog. Fortunately, our cameras captured the entire event, and little did we know it was a neighbor and great friend who was unfortunately hit.

In our opinion, this area along the park demands more driver awareness, which unfortunately only comes with more law enforcement presence, or speed humps as seen in other areas of town.”

According to the sheriff’s office, McPhee “didn’t deny” hitting Weiler and Tater.

“Normally, he would be sitting perfect right now,” Weiler said, reflecting on Tater’s condition.

In the aftermath, Weiler is taking things slow, opting for a cautious walk instead of their usual neighborhood route. “I just can’t stand to see him in pain,” he said.

Weiler expressed his concerns about the speed of traffic in the area.

“I don’t know if it needs to be speed bumps or someway we need to stop those cars from flying down,” he said. “I’m not against the traffic, I’m just against them going so fast.”

The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of road safety for both drivers and cyclists.

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