A man well known in Tucson's cycling community was struck and killed Wednesday morning by a cement truck while on a ride in Marana, authorities say.
Edwin Alexander, 53, was fatally struck about 8:30 a.m. northwest of Tucson on West Twin Peaks Road at West Camino De Manana, police say.
Alexander and the truck were stopped at a red light together. When the light turned green, both Alexander and the truck accelerated, colliding just north of the intersection, Marana police said in a news release.
Alexander was pronounced dead at the scene.
Alexander’s death has taken an emotional toll on his fellow cyclists, social media posts showed.
“There is no solace in the fact he died doing what he loved,” Steve Morganstern of Bicycle Ranch Tucson wrote on social media.
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Commenters who learned about Alexander’s passing assured the group they will ride with more caution.
“The roads belong to everyone,” Morganstern wrote. “We all MUST do better."
“We may never know the why it happened, but we can all work to stop it from happening again,” he continued.
In Facebook photos, Alexander, a member of Bicycle Ranch Tucson, and his family can be seen traveling around the world. He also completed several El Tour de Tucson events.
Morganstern also wrote he was disheartened by “hateful and distasteful” comments written by strangers following his friend’s death, but also overwhelmed by the love and support by those who knew and loved Alexander.
In a few weeks, some 10,000 cyclists will descend on the city for El Tour de Tucson.
“We will ride with heavy hearts, and the hope that we can all be better,” Morganstern said. “There is a little less magic in the world today.”
The crash is still being investigated. No citations have been issued.
