EDGEWOOD, Wash — Phil Beattie, a cyclist who was hurt in a hit-and-run in Edgewood on Thursday afternoon, is recovering at home.
The hit-and-run happened during his commute home from work, near 48th Street East and 125th Avenue Court East in Edgewood.
According to the Washington State Department of Transportation, there have been nearly 55,000 crashes on Washington roads so far this year. Beattie is using his experience to send a message about traffic safety.
"The biggest thing is this crack. It is about a 2- or 3-inch crack, and it goes all the way through,” said Beattie. "The paramedic took one look and said 'You could be in a coma or dead'."
Beattie was told that's what would have happened if it weren't for his helmet. It happened around 4 p.m. on Thursday.
"There was a little grouping of cars and then as the last one was going to pass me, I just got hit from behind. I felt them hit my hip and my arm,” he said.
Beattie says his bike went into the ditch and he went flying.
"Probably about 15 feet,” he said. “I am literally laying on the road watching them accelerate away."
He was left with a concussion and plenty of questions about the driver who sped off.
"I struggled with that for a day or day-and-a-half of just wanting to be really angry, but I don't think that that is helpful,” said Beattie. "How can I turn this into something positive for people?"
He decided to do that with a social media post urging cyclists to wear helmets, and drivers to pay attention, stay off their cell phones, and slow down on the 25-mile-per-hour road.
"This was from the car that hit me, dark charcoal. I am pretty sure it was a Volkswagen, maybe a Tiguan,” said Beattie as he held a piece of the vehicle that was left behind. “I haven't decided if I am going to commute again or not on a bike. I have kids. It is just not worth it right now with that road being the way it is."
Anyone with information about the hit-and-run is urged to contact the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department.
Watch KING 5's top stories playlist: