Park Ridge man charged with reckless homicide in fatal bike crash

Ryne Sanhamel

Ryne San Hamel

A north suburban man was charged with reckless homicide and DUI on Friday for allegedly fatally striking a bicyclist Wednesday night in the River North area.

Ryne San Hamel, 28, of the 1200 block of South Western Avenue in Park Ridge was charged with one count each of reckless homicide, aggravated DUI involving death, misdemeanor DUI, and misdemeanor reckless driving. He was also issued a citation for failure to stay in the lane, police said.

San Hamel was driving south on Larrabee Street when he struck a southbound bicyclist near North Clybourn Avenue about 6:35 p.m. Wednesday, police said.

The cyclist, 26-year-old Robert George Cann, was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in critical condition, but was declared dead at 7:05 p.m. Wednesday, according to police.

A Friday autopsy determined Cann, of the 3200 block of North Southport Avenue, died from multiple injuries from a vehicle striking a bicyclist and the death was ruled an accident, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office.

Cann rode his bike to his job at Groupon every day of the year, no matter the weather, a co-worker said. The New Hampshire transplant had worked in the editorial department for more than two years, producing goofy blurbs to help sell daily deals.

San Hamel stayed on the scene and was immediately taken into custody, police said. He will appear in bond court Saturday.

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