Naples woman pushes for cyclist safety legislation

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.- A Collier County woman was at the state’s capital Tuesday, fighting for justice for her husband.

WINK News spoke exclusively with Chuck Kelly in February 2014. He was hit by a car while riding his bike, suffering a punctured lung, several broken ribs and a broken shoulder blade.

Now, Kelly’s wife is making it her mission to get a bill passed that would mean tougher penalties for drivers who hurt bicyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians.

Tish Kelly spoke about her husband’s tragic accident to lawmakers and pressed them to pass the bill. It was approved by a senate committee Tuesday.

The legislation would add harsher consequences and court appearances when a driver hurts someone sharing the road.

Tish says after numerous surgeries and months of rest, her husband still struggles with the injuries and trauma of the incident.

Chuck was with a group of about 30 cyclists when a pickup truck hit him on Crayton Road in Naples. His wife says the driver of that truck got away with a slap on the wrist.

“The police officer only issued an unlawful passing ticket. The man paid, what I think it’s a $170 fine, and went on his way and my husband is still in severe pain. A year later he’s not right, he went from state champ to crippled up and no justice was served,” said Tish Kelly.

Under the bill, hurting a second cyclist or pedestrian within five years would become a misdemeanor and could carry up to a year in jail.