One person is dead and a police officer is hospitalized after a vehicle struck a group of cyclists Friday morning in East Fort Worth, police say.
Fort Worth police spokesman Buddy Calzada said four cyclists were riding at about 6:30 a.m. on the Dottie Lynn Parkway bridge over West Division Street when a driver struck them from behind.
One of the cyclists was pronounced dead at the scene, Calzada said. The Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office identified the cyclist as 57-year-old Steven Cannon of Arlington.
Family members did not wish to comment on camera but told NBC 5, they are devestated.
Another cyclist -- an Arlington police detective assigned to the department's Crimes Against Children’s Unit -- was taken to John Peter Smith Hospital with serious injuries. Arlington police spokesman Lt. Christopher Cook said he was alert and conscious and "being surrounded by officers and family."
On Friday afternoon, Arlington interim police chief Kevin Kolbye identified the detective as 11 year veteran Alan Branch. According to interim chief Kolbye, Branch underwent surgery on Friday afternoon.
At a press conference at the Arlington Police Department, Kolbye read a statement from Branch's family who thanked the community for the outpouring of support.
"Please continue to lift up Alan in your prayers as he has a long road to recovery. We’re so deeply sorry for the loss of one of Alan’s closest friends in this tragedy," Kolbye said.
The remaining two cyclists had minor scrapes and bruises.
Alcohol is not believed to be a factor in the incident and the driver remained at the scene, Calzada said. It is not yet clear if the driver, who has not been identified, will face charges.
"Keep in mind our traffic investigation unit has to investigate this and within the next couple of days, they will give us a fatality report to hopefully gather some more details," Calzada said.
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The cyclists were part of a group from Lake Church in Arlington, according to Kolbye.
Southbound Dottie Lynn Parkway was closed while police investigated.
