LAKEWOOD, Colo. — The cycling community is outraged after one of their own was left to die. And now they're asking for your help.
Robert Kantor's injuries aren’t visible, but they are severe. Lisa Kantor, Robert’s wife, said her husband was hit by a driver while cycling with friends last Sunday.
“We could be planning his funeral,” said Lisa Kantor.
The impact broke most of her husband’s ribs on the right side, punctured his lung and left him with multiple lacerations.
“He is a strong rider, and I think the injuries are extremely serious. He is a survivor and a fighter," she said.
And as Robert begins his road to recovery, the cycling community is speaking out.
“I’m outraged by it! Rob was lying motionless on the roadway. People have said he wasn’t really moving for five to six minutes. For all the driver knew, Rob was dead,” said Brad Tucker with Colorado Bike Law.
Tucker was cycling with the Robert on Sunday. He says he and others were cycling on Little Club Creek road near Evergreen.
Tucker and others decided to go down the hill, and Kantor stopped on the side of the road to take a picture. Tucker believes Kantor was hit while he was going down the hill.
“The car tried to turn left crossing directly into Rob Kantor’s path, and Kantor struck the passenger side of the car. We think this car probably has damage on the passenger side of it,” Tucker said.
Witnesses say the driver never stopped and now the cycling community has put up a $5,000 reward for anyone who saw the driver.
Tucker says this isn’t just about catching the driver but raising awareness about sharing the road and respecting cyclists.
It's the same message echoed by the victim’s wife, who is thankful her husband and the father of her two children gets to ride again.
“I can’t imagine him not being here to watch them grow into young adults and continue sharing the outdoors with them,” said Lisa Kantor.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Colorado State Patrol.
