A man was driving an SUV and allegedly drunk when he hit two cyclists near Dallas Fort Worth International Airport on Monday evening. Police confirmed that the man was taken into custody after the incident.
The airport police received a call about a hit-and-run with injuries just before 7 p.m. Two cyclists were hit by the vehicle while biking near the busy airport, and the shocking incident was captured on video by a witness. One of the victims was injured and unable to speak, but witnesses helped him until EMS arrived.
In the video provided by the witness, the suspect, identified as Benjamin Peter Hylander, 31, was seen driving at a high speed in the right-hand lane before colliding with the two cyclists. He briefly stopped after the initial impact and then ran over one of the cyclists before fleeing the scene in a white SUV.
Witnesses followed Hylander to a gas station, where they were able to get his license plate number and demanded he return to the scene of the crash. When he returned, Hylander apologized to the injured cyclist and admitted to hitting the cyclists while under the influence.
Police noticed an odor of alcohol on Hylander’s breath and observed that he had glassy, bloodshot eyes. Initially, he claimed to have had only one beer an hour before driving, but later admitted to possibly consuming two or three large beers.
Upon searching Hylander’s vehicle, police found six empty beer cans in a backpack behind the passenger seat, as well as two empty beer cans in a grassy area near the vehicle at the gas station. The empty beer cans were entered into evidence, although it is uncertain if the cans found in the grass were connected to Hylander.
After completing a sobriety test, Hylander, who works as a cargo employee for American Airlines, was arrested for DWI and is facing two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge. The condition of the two cyclists who were hit is currently unknown.
This incident serves as a reminder of the dangers of driving under the influence and the importance of staying vigilant on the road to ensure the safety of all individuals, including cyclists. It also highlights the importance of witnesses coming forward to provide crucial information that can lead to the apprehension of suspects involved in hit-and-run incidents. Cyclists and drivers alike must exercise caution and follow traffic laws to prevent such tragic events from occurring in the future.