Wife of fatal bicycle hit-and-run victim: ‘This should not have happened’

DAVENPORT, Iowa (KWQC) - 40-year-old Alex Marietta died Thursday afternoon in Davenport after a hit-and-run crash while biking home. The crash happened at the intersection of Kimberly Road and Davenport Avenue. Marietta was hit by a red Chevy Tahoe that ran a red light. This is the third fatal accident involving a bicyclist in the quad city area this year. His wife, Kristen Marietta spoke with TV6 after the incident. She says he loved cycling all over the quad cities.

“He loved talking about it, he loved doing it, he loved getting others to try it. It was his outlet, his therapy. He loved it, it was his passion. Until we had a baby and then our family unit was his passion,” Kristen says.

Kristen and Alex were married for 13 years. Now she’s left with memories.

“He loved the outdoors, he loved cycling, and he used to do it every day and every weekend. He loved to go hiking. We were outside almost all the time. He was my best friend,” Kristen says.

She says Alex had years of cycling experience and with more bike lanes and safety precautions for bicyclists in the quad cities, he may still be here today.

“Alex wasn’t even riding on the road. He was crossing it. He was going to a bike path. There are no biking lanes there. There aren’t many here period, really. The quad cities is a big area and there are a lot of cyclists here. There is a family of them and when something happens to one, it impacts all of them. We need more support for that in the community. Cycling is just so big here and we need more support for it. This should not have happened,” says Kristen.

Bobby F. Hunt Jr., 33, has been identified as the driver and is charged with homicide by reckless driving, a Class C felony, leaving the scene of a fatality crash, a Class D felony, and interference with official acts, a simple misdemeanor. He also was cited for reckless driving.

Hunt was later identified as the only occupant of the SUV. Police also learned he was speeding, failed to stop at a red light at the intersection, and collided with the Marietta, who had the right of way.

Officers later responded to his home and Hunt admitted to striking Marietta and leaving the scene.

His SUV had damage consistent with striking Marietta. While speaking with officers, Hunt fled and refused officers’ commands to stop, according to the affidavit.

Investigators from the Davenport Police Department’s Traffic Safety Unit are investigating the crash.

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