HOUSTON – A man is now behind bars after he was accused of hitting two bicyclists while under the influence near the Dallas-Forth Worth Airport in early June. The pair of cyclists recently shared their horrific story, which was all caught on camera.
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On June 17 around 6 p.m., footage shows a white 2020 Subaru Forester, reportedly driven by 31-year-old Benjamin Hylander, approaching a group of cyclists from behind and hitting two of them.
Tom Geppert, 69, said he and 65-year-old Deborah Eads were enjoying a ride when suddenly, Geppert felt like he was being pushed forward.
He says he started feeling himself falling to the right before Geppert ended up underneath the wheel of Hylander’s Subaru.
“I’m guessing the bike lifted the car up,” Geppert said. “So that by the time it rolled over my thighs, it was already kind of at a height.”
What’s even more horrifying is that authorities say Hylander kept driving after hitting the cyclists.
Reports state that after his arrest, Hylander listed American Airlines as his employer.
Police officers said they were later able to deactivate his access badge. According to the airline, his employer has taken him out of service since the now-viral incident.
Geppert said he was unconscious and taken to the E.R. while Eads sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was treated on-scene.
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“You just want to scream, you know?” Geppert said. “You know, how did you not see us? We’re right there.”
Police say Hylander’s vehicle had eight beers inside and later, investigators said that he admitted to drinking two or three large beers.
According to police, he failed a field sobriety test, and his blood alcohol content was nearly two times greater than the legal limit.
Geppert, who is a retired researcher and rheumatologist and is also battling prostate cancer, says he is now hoping to see his 70th birthday, with a few injuries to overcome. He added that his bike was a bit expensive and now can not be salvaged. In total, the bike cost him around $10,000.
As of now, Hylander is in the Tarrant County Jail trying to make bond for multiple charges related to the incident.
American Airlines has also pulled him from service as a cargo worker.