Hundreds Remember Md. Man Struck & Killed While Biking

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Final farewell. Avid cyclist and father 41-year-old Thomas Palermo is laid to rest one week after he was struck and killed by a car while riding his bike along Roland Avenue.

Rick Ritter has more on the services.

Candles, flowers and pictures lay where the tragedy happened. Those who knew Palermo best say he'd want to be remembered as the loving man he was.

Hundreds gathered to remember a loving husband and father of two with a passion for cycling like no other.

Others who never knew Tom Palermo were touched enough by his tragedy to pay tribute.

"It feels personal. It could have been any of us," cyclist Nancey Kinlin said.

The death of the 41-year-old not only rocked the cycling community, but has brought thousands of people together.

"This huge outpouring of support is just amazing to me," said Carrie Hulting, Palermo's niece.

Just last week, the 41-year-old Palermo was struck while riding his bike along Roland Avenue. He was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The driver of the car, Episcopal Bishop Heather Cook, left the scene, but later returned.

Since the tragedy, a vigil, flowers and an emotional memorial ride have helped family and friends try and cope with their loss.

"We love him so much. We're just going to love him as much as we can," said Jeff Hulting, Palermo's brother-in-law.

It's a tragedy that's not getting any easier to overcome.

"What a loving husband he was and what a loving father he was to his children. That's what Tom wants to be remembered as," Jeff Hulting said.

So far, no charges have been filed against Bishop Cook in the case.

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