Katherine Shubert, Courtesy: Robert Pawlik
Summerfield, NC -- Friends and family of a Triad woman hit and killed by a car while riding her bike, say they are speaking out in hopes drivers will put a face to the sad news and be more cautious while on the road with cyclists.
Katherine Shubert died after being hit by an SUV from behind.
The accident happened Friday night on Brookbank Road in Summerfield.
The death has hit Kathy's family and some in the cycling community hard.
Kathy, as family and friends affectionately call her; was as driven as they come.
"She was vibrant and had a lot of life to live and she was cut out way too short," said her husband Bob Shubert.
Kathy had an MBA from Wake Forest and also held an accounting degree but her passion outside work was her bicycle.
"This looks like the Lake Placid Triathlon," Shubert said while looking through old photos. "The pain is unbelievable; I've never experienced anything like this.
Shubert says he never expected to be speaking about his 38-year-old wife in the past tense.
Kathy was an avid biker and exercised daily. She was a professional in the cycling community and a stickler for safety.
One of her favorite places to ride was where she was killed Friday night.
The accident happened around 7:10pm.
Kathy was cycling alone when it happened.
Trooper Skinner says she was wearing a helmet and following the road rules.
The driver who caused the accident told investigators that the sunlight blinded her and she didn't see Kathy before hitting her.
Trooper Skinner says, responding officers gave the driver a sobriety test on the scene and she passed it.
He says the test is standard procedure after an accident involving critical injuries.
For Beverly Royals, her friend's death is another example why drivers should pay close attention when on the road with cyclists.
"It's just very surreal and very, very sad to be standing where the neighbors told us emergency crews worked on her right here," Beverly said about her friend's death.
Royals say she was supposed to have gone riding with Kathy Saturday morning around the same area.
Dale Brown, who owns a bike shop in Greensboro, says the cycling community is heartbroken.
"She was the sweetest girl, a tremendous athlete and everybody is so fond of her," he said.
Authorities say no charges have been filed but the Guilford County District attorney's office is reviewing the accident report to determine if any crime was committed.
Kathy's family says while they understand this may have been an accident, accidents like this happen too often.
They say several cyclists have been killed in the Triad as a result of negligent drivers and they hope Kathy's death can raise awareness and serve as a wake-up call.