DA says driver was drunk when he hit and killed CHOP doctor on her bike

Just over one week after a Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia doctor was killed while riding her bike in Rittenhouse Square, the District Attorney’s Office says they’ve charged the driver, who was drunk behind the wheel.

30-year-old pediatric oncology resident, Dr. Barbara Friedes, was killed while she was riding her bike home on July 17 in Rittenhouse Square near 18th and Spruce streets.

The District Attorney’s office announced Thursday that 68-year-old Michael Vahey has been charged with homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, involuntary manslaughter, and DUI, among other charges, after police say he struck and killed Friedes with his car.

Vahey had a blood alcohol content of 0.16, which is twice the legal limit, and was driving more than 50 mph in a 25-mph zone when he struck Friedes in the bike lane, District Attorney Larry Krasner said.

Friedes was taken to the hospital with a severe head injury, but she died there shortly after.

“He struck her with such impact that he threw her body at least 150 feet, and she was probably dead then,” Assistant District Attorney Joanne Pescatore said.

Officials said Vahey nearly struck another pedestrian and hit multiple other cars.

Vahey was taken to the hospital for treatment and was released Monday, according to police.

Vahey surrendered to law enforcement on Wednesday and remains in custody on a $999,999 bail, according to the District Attorney’s office.

In a news conference Thursday, bike advocates said flexible plastic posts used in the bike lanes aren’t enough to keep cyclists safe and continued to call on the city to install permanent protections, like concrete barriers.

“There is little doubt that if that kind of barrier had existed here that Dr. Friedes might be alive today,” Krasner said.

Bike advocates said the city hasn’t upgraded the bike lanes because of Vision Zero funding cuts and called on Mayor Cherelle Parker to reinvest in the program.

According to the Inquirer, Friedes’ death was just one of four pedestrian and cyclist traffic fatalities within four days the week of her death.

Philly Bike Action, an advocate group for cyclist safety, announced a protest Friday at 6 p.m., starting at the Museum of Art and ending at City Hall “to demand immediate safety improvements for pedestrians and people on bicycles,” according to an Instagram post .

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