INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A memorial for 20-year-old Darrion Pate was held Tuesday at the intersection of Indiana Avenue and Waterway Boulevard, following his tragic death from a vehicle collision on Aug. 31.
Pate was biking to work when he was struck at approximately 6 a.m. on Aug. 31. He succumbed to his injuries several days later in a local hospital. The accident involved one vehicle; details on the vehicle's driver and the circumstances remain under investigation.
Family, friends, and members of the cycling community gathered at the intersection to honor Pate, displaying a white “ghost bike” as a memorial and reminder for drivers to exercise caution. His father, Hanable Smith, expressed the heartache of losing his son, who had recently moved from Alabama for job opportunities.
Pate was a recent high school graduate and a member of the local Carpenters union. His grandmother, Wanda Pate, fondly recalled memories shared with him, emphasizing the impact of his loss on their family.
Pate's family is advocating for improved bike safety, specifically around construction zones where bike routes are often obstructed. Ebony Smith, Pate's stepmother, urged drivers to be vigilant and called on construction companies to enhance safety measures.
According to Safe Streets Indy, there have been three fatal bike crashes this year, including one just hours before Pate's collision. The community is hopeful this tragedy will spur action to ensure the safety of cyclists in Indianapolis.