Memorial Ride for 2 Cyclists Killed in Cooper City

Two cyclists were killed as a burglar tried to flee in a getaway car

Hundreds of cyclists geared up bright and early, just blocks from where 61-year old Christopher McConnell and 60-year old Dean Amelkin died one week ago.

Last Sunday morning as McConnell and Amelkin peddled along the same route they had for 25 years, accused burglar Obrian Oakley hit and killed them after a crime-spree in what police call his getaway car.

Now, McConnell and Amelkin's children, the two friends with them when they died, and fellow cyclists, all rode the same route along Sheridan Street from Cooper City to the Hollywood Boardwalk and back, in their honor.

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"It makes me sad, it really does,” said avid cyclist Judy Calibuso. “Because this is an activity we both love to do and the fact that people don't respect it, that's something I’m sad about."

The early ride serves to keep raising awareness and expand laws to include and protect cyclists, starting with a petition.

"We're just hoping that they could pass the legislation for the 'Move Over' law and we're petitioning right now and we've sent in emails to the governor hoping that something can be done soon,” Delvon Campbell, an avid cyclist said.

"Just pay attention to the road, pay attention to your surroundings,” said cyclist Paulette Parke. “We have to do that as riders, so everybody, because we're all sharing the road."

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"We're losing too many cyclists. By the day, by the month, by the week. It's just so sad, you know,” Campbell said.

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