Man Seeks To Honor Grandfather Killed In Bicycle Accident

PFLUGERVILLE, TX — The grandson of an elderly bicyclist who died in a traffic accident earlier this month has started a petition to have the road where he died named in his honor.

"I need your help to petition the Pflugerville city council and Mayor Victor Gonzales to rename the Settlers Valley Trail to the Thi Ho Memorial Trail in honor of my grandfather who recently passed due to an incident on the trail," Nhat Ho wrote on Facebook. "He has walked/rode this trail almost daily for over 20 years. He lived and died on this trail. Please help us in remembering him and all that he's brought to our community."

Thi Ho, 87, was out on a bicycle ride along the Pflugerville hike and bike trail on Sept. 12 at around 7:15 a.m. as he had done for the better part of 20 years, his grandson wrote. The man had become something of a community fixture given that routine, waving and smiling at passersby as he rode his bike. But on Sept. 12, a driver wasn't able to stop in time to prevent hitting him.

Related story: Elderly Bicyclist Dies After Pflugerville Car Collision

"None of us knew it was going to be his last," the grandson wrote of his grandfather's final ride. "He was struck by an inattentive driver at the 10th Street crosswalk near Settlers Valley where he was ejected 40 feet from the impact site."

The man would fight for his life five days in the intensive care unit before succumbing to his injuries, his grandson wrote. The younger man noted his grandfather had just recovered from stage 3 lung cancer two years ago, transforming into a health advocate promoting exercise to ensure a healthy lifestyle.

"I too saw him riding his bike at all time of day regularly during my commutes," the grandson said. "He enjoyed gardening and would ride his bike over to our house with bags full of fresh grown veggies regularly. He will be greatly missed."