Patricia Carolyn Naughton Cunningham “Trish”

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Patricia Carolyn Naughton Cunningham “Trish”
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Age: 50

Location:
Riva Road
Annapolis , MD
United States

from the Washington Post

The day 50-year-old Trish Cunningham died, she had finished up
coaching one of the first cross-country practices of the season, one
that had her more fired up than usual because her daughter, Avery, was a
new freshman member of the Annapolis High team.

She hopped on her
bike and headed down Riva Road, a busy boulevard that winds south from
the city before turning into a less traveled two-lane road.

As she
neared the crest of a hill, a driver who had come upon her from behind
attempted to pass her, although there was no way of telling whether
oncoming traffic was about to appear from the opposite side of the hill.
Police were told that there was a car coming the other way, and that
the driver swerved back to the right and slammed into Cunningham.

An obituary for Trish is here

Trish Cunningham Memorial RideBy Matthew Cole, Staff

From Capital Gazette

By SARA BLUMBERG
sblumberg@capgaznews.com

A small metal bike sits on the side of Riva Road. Painted white, it’s a “ghost bike.”

That bike has the name Trish written on it.

The bike is a small
tribute to the memory of Trish Cunningham, an Annapolis high school
cross-country coach who was killed a month ago while riding her bike on
the same road.

Alex Pline put it there. The board member of the nonprofit BAAA, or Bicycle Advocates For Annapolis & Anne Arundel County said he had to do something.

On Saturday, he helped
organize about 200 cyclists for the Trish Cunningham Memorial Rally And
Ride. The ride started at Annapolis High School and extended three
miles, stopping briefly at the spot where Cunningham was killed.

Participants, including a
collection of friends, family and local residents, said they wanted to
raise awareness on the importance of bike safety.

“We have to learn to share the road,” Pline said. “Many times that doesn’t happen.”

During the stop, flowers were placed and tears were shed. County police helped provide a personal escort.

Many participants wore
stickers that said “Run like Trish.” Others wore personalized orange
bracelets that said “Play like Trish.”

Of the riders, family members including Cunningham’s husband Jerry, and her daughters Morgan and Avery also participated.

For those who knew her, praying and running were at the heart of Trish’s life.

When Annapolis High
School junior Jacqueline Stomski, learned of Cunningham’s death, she
said she ran to cope with the news. For two years, Cunningham coached
Jacqueline. She says her coach’s support made her a better and more
dedicated runner.

“It’s what a lot of us chose to do,” she said.

Jacqueline is now in the
middle of her cross country season. During the meets, she says her
teammates chant a cheer, to remember Cunningham and her impact. During
the ride, Jacqueline and her teammates held signs off Riva road,
reminding motorists of what’s been dubbed Maryland’s “three-feet” law.

Under the law, motorists
may not pass within three feet of a bicycle or motor scooter being
operated lawfully. Motorists must also yield to bicycles when making
turns, as well as when entering or crossing bike lanes or shoulders,
according to the state Motor Vehicle Administration.

In Cunningham’s case, a
preliminary investigation indicates the driver of the vehicle struck
Cunningham’s bicycle while attempting to pass her on Riva Road.

Lydia Phillips of
Davidsonville, didn’t know Cunningham personally. As an avid cyclist,
she participated because she had a close friend who was also severely
injured in a bicycle accident.

“We have to learn to share the road,” she said. “This is one way I can show support.”