MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Police are still sorting through surveillance footage in an effort to find the person responsible in the death of a bicyclist in Morgantown Friday night.
Police believe it was a dark colored Dodge Chrysler model vehicle that will now have damage to the front end, including the headlights, the hood, or the windshield.
Divante Coles, 20, was riding his bike late Friday evening on Route 7 in Sabraton going towards Morgantown when he was struck from behind around 11:15 p.m.
“As a result he passed away later Saturday morning at Ruby Memorial Hospital,” Morgantown Police Chief Ed Preston said Monday on WAJR’s Morgantown AM.
Traffic re-constructionists are working to determine exactly what occurred while detectives are sorting through surveillance video
“Looks like Mr. Coles was struck from behind,” Preston said. “He was riding his bike on the roadway and was hit from behind.”
Preston said tips from the public will be vital in bringing the search to a close.
“If they have any information related to this, please call,” he said. “Even if it’s just 911, call.”
The Morgantown Police Department can be reached at (304) 284-7522. Preston said those in greater Monongalia County, Preston County, and even Point Marion, Pennsylvania should be on the lookout.
Additionally, Preston took the time to remind everyone that cyclists have rights on the road.
“Motorists have to absolutely remember that bicycles have the right to the full road width,” he said. “Just because they are riding on the edge of the roadway doesn’t mean that you short-change them and cut them off. They’re entitled to the full width of the road. Same road, same rules, same rights.”