By Alex Riggins
The Times-News
KIMBERLY, Idaho — The cyclist killed Wednesday morning in a hit-and-run crash south of Kimberly was 34-year-old Twin Falls firefighter Ryan Franklin.
Police responded to the report of a vehicle versus bicycle crash at 8:50 a.m. on the rural two-lane road at 3375 E. 2900 N, Idaho State Police said.
Franklin, of Filer, was riding his bicycle west on 2900 North when he was struck by a westbound Jeep and thrown onto the side of the road, ISP said. Franklin was wearing a helmet. He died at the scene.
Twin Falls Mayor Shawn Barigar sent a signed proclamation to government entities asking them to fly American flags at half-staff Wednesday and Thursday in honor of Franklin, city spokesman Joshua Palmer said.
Hollie Winnett, 32, of Hollister was driving the 2002 Jeep Liberty that struck Franklin, ISP said. Winnett left the crash scene but later returned.
The road was closed for three hours during the investigation.
As news of Franklin’s death spread Wednesday morning, a memorial fund for his family was created on gofundme.com.
Within about three hours hour, 52 people donated $5,080, more than half of the $10,000 goal.
Franklin was a married father of four who was a Twin Falls firefighter for about 2 ½ years. During Christmas he accompanied young shoppers at Target during the retail chain’s Heroes & Helpers program.
CT Velo, a Magic Valley cycling team, posted a picture of Franklin on its Facebook page just before 1 p.m.
“Very sad day for the cycling community and the team,” the post said. “Teammate Ryan Franklin was hit and killed by a car this morning while riding his bike. Ryan will be missed by all.”
Steve Price, Franklin’s teammate on the CT Velo team, said he rode with Franklin on Tuesday night.
“The guy had everything going for him,” Price said. “He had a great job, a beautiful family, he was in the process of buying a house.”
Price described Franklin as a “jokester” who was “very motivated, a pleasure to be around and the first guy to offer a helping hand.”
He said the crash should serve as a reminder for motorists to be more aware and a reminder that cyclists have the same rights to the road as motorists.
Traffic is typically very light on county roads and cycling throughout the county a “non-issue,” Price said. He added that occasionally cyclists have run-ins with intolerant motorists, but Franklin was a safe cyclist who respected the laws of the road.
“I know Ryan, he wasn’t out in the middle of the street doing wheelies,” Price said. “He wasn’t riding into a setting or rising sun. The lady probably wasn’t paying attention … In my opinion, she needs to be made an example of.”
ISP had not released more information on the circumstances of the crash Wednesday afternoon. A trooper did not immediately return a call asking for more details.
There were no bicycle deaths on Idaho roadways in 2015, said Nathan Jerke, spokesman for the Idaho Transportation Department. There were two deaths in 2014, three in 2013 and two in 2012.