“All of a sudden, something pushes me from behind,” Tom Geppert, 69, recounted to KDFW. “Then I could feel myself falling from the right, and then that’s pretty much the last thing I remember.”
Geppert, an avid cyclist, went for a ride with a group that loops around Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, a popular circuit for cycling groups, the outlet reported.
The group was in the right lane when a white Subaru plowed into them without appearing to slow down, knocking the woman off her bike before running over Geppert and taking off.
“I was unconscious for a number of minutes,” Geppert said. “I guess some people thought I wasn’t breathing.”
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Geppert, whose helmet hit the pavement when he was struck, explained that the SUV ran over his thigh, which he called “lucky” because he thinks his bike “elevated the car a little bit.”
He was taken to the hospital, where a scan showed he suffered a concussion, injuries to his hamstring and a fractured rib.
The other injured rider was treated by paramedics at the scene.
Other cyclists in the group tailed the hit-and-run driver to the parking lot of a nearby convenience store, and took photos of him being arrested by airport police.
Benjamin Hylander, 31, an American Airlines worker, has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and driving while intoxicated.
Police had to hold Hylander back after he attempted to rush toward the crews treating Geppert, according to the arrest record.
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Cops say he failed a field sobriety and breathalyzer test.
Investigators later recovered six empty cans of Voodoo Ranger Juice Force from a backpack in the SUV and two cans of Coors Light police found in grass near Hylander’s vehicle.
Hylander admitted to police he had been drinking beer before the crash, the arrest affidavit stated.
Geppert told the outlet he’s grateful he can still walk and said that despite the incident, he plans to ride again.
“Just overall amazingly lucky that I’m still alive,” he said.
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