Cyclist dies after hit-and-run; family, police ask for help to find wanted driver
The cyclist hit by a car last weekend, Matthew Simpson, 40, of Durham, has died of his injuries, according to Durham police.
A family member told WRAL News that Simpson was a husband, father of two and an electrical engineer. He and his wife were married in 2014 and moved to Durham in that year.
The family – Simpson and his wife on bikes, with her pulling a trailer with their two children inside – was on the way back from a museum visit Sunday when he pulled ahead.
Simpson's family member said it was common for him to take the lead at a crosswalk, pushing the button and making sure it was safe.
"He was protecting his family like he always did," she told WRAL News.
As Simpson crossed Guess Road at Ellerbee Creek Trail, a gray or silver Volkswagen Jetta hit him and he was thrown from the bike.
Police are still looking for the man who allegedly was driving that vehicle. They have charged Omari Newsome, 33, with felony hit-and-run with serious injuries, felony conspiracy, driving while license suspended, failure to reduce speed and failure to stop at a steady red light.
Newsome left the scene after pulling Simpson's bike from under his car, police said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Investigator J. Bell at 919-560-4935, ext. 29411 or Crime Stoppers at 919-683-1200. Crime Stoppers often pays a cash reward for tips that lead to an arrest.
