Memorial Bike Ride Held For Victim Of Unsolved Hit-And-Run

OAKDALE (KDKA) -- The victim of a fatal hit-and-run was honored in North Fayette Township, Saturday.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says 743 cyclists died in wrecks involving motor vehicles in 2013. This year, we have seen it happen here in Pittsburgh.

The name "ghost bike" suggests that someone is gone and no longer with us.

In September, 24-year-old Brandon Ortmann was killed when a white GMC pick-up truck struck him while he was riding his bike on Steubenville Road.

"People are coming out and giving their time to bring attention back to the hit-and-run accident that took my son's life," Ortmann's mother, Cindi Taylor, said.

Riders refuse to forget.

"A cyclist was killed," Ed Quigley of Monaca said. "It's all too easy for that to fall into the cracks. And to support the family and to identify who killed the cyclist. We think it's a good cause, worth coming out on our own time."

They mounted up on their bikes for a road ride to remember Brandon and to support his family.

"Sometimes, moment-to-moment, it's still not real to me," Taylor said. "Y'know, a little bit of denial, but it's a lot to handle, so you just kind of push it back out. You remember being in the hospital and having to say goodbye to him."

Cyclists and family members took time to write their thoughts on pink ribbons. They rode with the ribbons and then attached them to the ghost bike.

"They stay as a memorial of all the thoughts and dreams of the people who were here," Quigley said. "The ghost bike will be positioned a little bit further down the road at a point of visibility with a banner in the hopes that we can generate some public awareness of the vehicle the cops are looking for."

Gone, but certainly not forgotten.

Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page
Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter