David Mark Pickett, 50, of Lakewood was training for his first Ride the Rockies after years of riding his bicycle more than 11 miles to work each way during the summers, his brother said.
Pickett was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver at about 5:15 a.m. today at East 46th Avenue and Josephine Street. Police are looking for witnesses and don’t yet have even a description of the vehicle.
He was on his way to an AT&T office nearby on York Street, his older brother said.
“The only peace we have is that we knew Dave was a Christian, and he knew Jesus was his savior,” said Mike Pickett. “That gives us peace because we know we’ll see him again someday.”
He is a native of Arvada and is survived by his wife, Maggie. They were members of Grace Church of Arvada at 6969 Sheridan Blvd., where his funeral will be this weekend or early next week, depending on family members’ ability to travel to Colorado, Mike Pickett said.
David Pickett had been an active cyclist for more than a decade, but was planning his first try a the meandering 412-mile Ride the Rockies June 11-17 from Crested Butte to Georgetown, he said.
“He was all excited about it,” Mike Pickett said. “He was training with a friend from work as much as he could.”
Pickett was even more determined in his faith, making regular trips to Sterling Correctional Facility to minister inmates the past six years, Mike Pickett said.
“He was the least likely guy to go into a prison, because he was such a meek guy,” his brother said. “But he was a sweet man, and everybody loved him.”
Denver Police spokesman Sonny Jackson said Pickett was appeared to be pedaling east on 46th when, investigators think, he was hit by a vehicle going north on Josephine.
A passer-by discovered Pickett’s body.
Police are looking for witnesses. Anyone with information can call Denver Police at 720-913-2000 or Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867.
According to a 2010 study by the U.S. Alliance for Biking & Walking, an advocacy group, cyclists or pedestrians in Colorado account for 10 percent of commuters and 11 percent of fatalities.
In Denver, cyclists and walkers or runners make up 10 percent of trips, but 37 percent of traffic fatalities, according to the alliance.
Joey Bunch: 303-954-1174 or jbunch@denverpost.com
