Tom Geppert, a 69-year-old retired physician, and Deborah Eads, a 65-year-old cyclist, were struck by a white Subaru Forested driven by Benjamin Hylander near the Texas airport. Hylander, a cargo team member at American Airlines, hit Eads and then clipped Geppert’s back tire before launching him into the left lane, causing him to fall to the road. Geppert lost consciousness in the crash and suffered a concussion, hamstring injury, and fractured rib. He was unconscious for several minutes after the accident.
Geppert was flown to Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Grapevine for treatment of his injuries, including a severe laceration. Doctors performed a CT scan and diagnosed him with a concussion. Despite his injuries, Geppert considers himself lucky to be alive and plans to continue riding his bike. Eads also suffered a severe laceration and was treated at the scene of the crash by medical personnel.
After hitting the cyclists, Hylander was chased to a Shell gas station by several bikers, who urged him to return to the scene of the accident. Hylander attempted to apologize to the injured cyclists, but he was pulled away by an officer on the scene. Investigators found empty beer cans in Hylander’s car and near the parked SUV. Hylander failed a field sobriety and breathalyzer test, with varying accounts of his alcohol consumption before the crash.
Hylander was charged with two counts of Intoxication Assault with a Vehicle causing Serious bodily injury, Accident involving injury, and Driving while intoxicated with a Blood Alcohol Concentration greater than 0.15. He is being held at the Tarrant County Corrections Center on a $36,000 bond. American Airlines stated that Hylander has been withheld from service following the incident. Geppert, who has since been released from the hospital, considers himself fortunate to have survived the hit-and-run and continues to express gratitude for his life and plans to keep riding his bike.
