Cyclist killed on his way to work
A Mexican immigrant described by his family as a devout Catholic and a quiet man was killed on Route 25 in Calverton Tuesday afternoon when he was hit by an SUV while riding a bike on the busy road.
Santos Lopez-Hervert, 36, of Calverton was riding home from a job about 5:15 p.m. when he was struck by a 2002 Jeep SUV driven by Frank Cisler, 25, also of Calverton. The accident occurred west of Edwards Avenue near the Citgo gas station.
Police said no charges had been filed and the investigation was continuing.
“He was a good man doing nothing but coming home from work,” said Sister Margaret Smyth, director of the North Fork Spanish Apostolate.
Family members said Mr. Lopez-Hervert, who had lived in Arizona for the past 10 years, had moved to Calverton about three months ago to be near the family of his girlfriend, Teodora Allende. Ms. Allende followed about a month ago.
His brother Ediberto said Mr. Lopez-Hervert did not drink or smoke and, like many other immigrants, had come to the U.S. in search of a better life. He worked construction and landscaping jobs and enjoyed playing basketball.
“He was happy,” he said of Mr. Lopez-Hervert’s life on the North Fork.
Sister Margaret said he had worked with an evangelical church in Mexico and he and his family were regulars at St. John the Evangelist R.C. Church Sunday services in Riverhead.
Clerks at the Hodun family farm stand, near the site of the accident, said they had to close the stand early because the road had been closed off from Wading River Manor Road all the way to Edwards Avenue due to the accident. Rita Hodun noted that, when driving on Route 25 around dusk, many people can be blinded by the setting sun.
“It’s really bad driving in the sun,” she said. If cyclists “are wearing dark clothes, you can’t see them.”
Funeral arrangements had not been scheduled at presstime. Those wishing to send donations to the family can send checks, payable to North Fork Spanish Apostolate, to that organization at 220 Roanoke Ave., Riverhead, NY 11901.
