Driver was drunk, speeding when he hit and killed CHOP doctor as she rode bicycle in Center City: DA

The driver who fatally struck a Children's Hospital of Philadelphia doctor while she was bicycling last week was speeding while drunk behind the wheel, the district attorney's office said Thursday.

Dr. Barbara Friedes was killed at 18th and Spruce streets on July 17.

The suspect, 68-year-old Michael Vahey, had a blood alcohol concentration of .16, District Attorney Larry Krasner said, which is double the legal limit of .08.

He was traveling over 50 miles per hour in an area with a speed limit of 25 mph, Krasner said. Friedes was in the bike lane when she was hit.

Vahey's vehicle struck a number of other cars and nearly hit another pedestrian, investigators say.

Vahey has been charged with homicide by vehicle, involuntary manslaughter, driving under the influence, reckless driving and related offenses. He surrendered on Wednesday night and remains in custody.

Friedes, 30, who was originally from Colorado, treated pediatric cancer patients as an oncology resident at CHOP.

As the family tries to navigate their lives without their middle daughter, they are dedicated to carrying on her work and saving more lives.

"It was very reassuring and very warm to know that she was making a difference," Friedes' father, John Dietrick, told Action News earlier this week.

The Dietricks, following in their daughter's steps, walked the halls of CHOP on Tuesday. Friedes' coworkers shared stories with her grieving family.

"They are going to use the strategies and ideas she shared with them in their daily practice. So hopefully she'll be able to continue to change lives through their practice," said her mother, Mary Dietrick.

Her death has reignited cries from the bicyclist community for more permanent solutions and protections, including concrete barricades for bike lanes.

READ MORE: 'Going to make a change': Family of CHOP oncology resident killed in crash push for bike safety

Her parents have now picked up that mission to make a change for the thousands of bicyclists in Philadelphia.

"We are going to make a change for the cyclists in this community and make sure no one else can get hurt," said Mary.

The Dietrick family is planning a public service for members of the CHOP community and will lay Friedes to rest privately in Florida.