Matthew von Ohlen

Matthew was riding his bike home from work in the early morning when a car drove into the bike lane, fatally hit him and then sped away. First reports quote the NYPD suggesting that the crash had been intentional by the driver. Officers were ticketing cyclists near the location for some days after the crash.  Police investigation reported soon after that the car had been identified and recovered but the driver had not been publically identified.

Matthew's friends and family made a ghost bike in his memory and installed it at the intersection soon after his death. This was one of many memorials and initatives in his memory. 

The driver was eventually found and convicted of 2nd degree manslaughter.

According to his obituary 

"He was committed to cycling as an alternative form of transportation and
with several partners, he founded Bikestock, which provides vending
machines and bicycle repair kiosks on routes used by cyclists. In his
short life Matt was surrounded by good friends and loved by many. His
open and accepting nature, his ability to listen to others, and his
curiosity and wit endeared him to everyone he met. His bright light went
out too soon, too tragically, and our world is a little darker now."

Donations are accepted in his memory to Transportation Alternatives, Lawrence University, or AFS Intercultural Programs.