Tad Doyle’s girlfriend hopes tragedy prevents future hit-and-run deaths

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – Tad Doyle died riding his electric bike on Sunday when a car hit him and took off, with his body lying in the road. A 23-year-old man is now arrested on suspicion of felony hit-and-run charges.

Tad Doyle’s girlfriend, Mindy Ward, said they are thankful for the outpouring of community support in trying to find the person responsible for Tad’s death.

She wants their tragedy to be a message to anyone in a future accident.

“A plea to just stop and help,” Ward said.

Ward was with him the night he was struck and killed. She said the pain of watching him die is still fresh. She said, not knowing who hit him was beyond hard.

A 23-year-old coming forward Thursday, turning himself in, arrested on suspicion of felony hit-and-run charges. She said they can now begin to plan Tad’s final goodbye.

“Just taking our time to grieve and slow down a little bit,” said Ward.

She believes the outcry of support from the Wichita community helped find justice for Tad.

“The people were out every day, his friends, so many of his friends, so many people in our community, every day, walking those streets, talking to people, sharing flyers,” said Ward.

Tad’s best friend, Michael Poland, said they were starting to lose hope of ever finding who was responsible.

“It’s really a sense of relief for, I think, all of us because we have been working hard out there with flyers, trying to get the information out there,” said Poland.

Mindy hopes Doyle’s tragedy makes people help each other before worrying about self-consequences.

“There’s nothing worth not stopping and looking at. We don’t live in that fear of what’s going to happen to us, when we could totally help save a life,” said Ward.

A fundraiser has been started for Tad’s three daughters. Doyle’s loved ones plan to say goodbye, having his funeral next Tuesday.

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