The cycling community in North Texas is mourning the tragic loss of two members of the Frisco Triathlon Club, who were killed in a devastating accident in Denton County. This heartbreaking incident has brought together friends and fellow cyclists to honor their lives and contributions.
On Saturday morning, during a group ride, two cyclists were struck and killed on FM 455 in Denton County by a driver who initially fled the scene but later returned. The victims have been identified as Scott Mages and Andre Kocher. Emergency services responded to the crash around 8:30 a.m., and one cyclist was transported to Methodist Celina Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. The second victim was airlifted to Medical City Plano, where he also passed away.
Longtime friend Tommy Johnson, who had intended to join the ride but opted to work instead, expressed his shock and sorrow over the loss. Reflecting on the incident, he noted the inherent dangers that cyclists face when sharing the road with vehicles. “There’s lots of things we do to try to be safe for sure, but we’re always at the mercy of the motorists,” Johnson stated, emphasizing the vulnerability cyclists endure.
In response to this tragedy, the Frisco Triathlon Club is organizing a “Santa Run” on Christmas Eve to commemorate Mages and Kocher. Scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. at the Frisco Running Company, participants can choose to run a 5K or a 1-mile route. Participants are encouraged to don Santa hats or festive attire to celebrate the lives of the two cyclists.
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash is still ongoing, as authorities seek to understand the events that led to this heartbreaking incident. The cycling community stands united in grief, while also striving to raise awareness about the safety of cyclists on the roads.
