The Brief

• Philipos Ghebregziabiher was hit while cycling in the bike lane near East Washington and Blount Street

• The cyclist has three broken ribs, a broken wrist, broken clavicle and a partially collapsed lung

• Police are looking for a handicap-accessible Chrysler Voyager or Pacifica with likely damage to the front driver’s side

MADISON, Wis. — Madison police are searching for the driver of a red or maroon Chrysler minivan who struck a cyclist and fled the scene, leaving a 23-year-old victim in critical condition.

Philipos Ghebregziabiher was hit while cycling in the bike lane near East Washington and Blount Street last week. According to Madison police, the cyclist swerved but couldn’t avoid the crash with the Chrysler van.

Philipos spent nearly a week in critical condition before returning home to recover with his parents. His sister, Martha Ghebregziabiher, said the crash has left him with serious injuries.

“Suffering from three broken ribs on his right side. A broken wrist as well. He has a broken left clavicle. And then the night that he came into the hospital, he was, he also had a partial collapsed lung,” Martha said.

As his older sister, Martha said it’s a natural instinct to protect her brother and is seeking accountability for the crash.

“Just family to family, big sister, a big sister. I mean, my brother, he’s a young man. He’s 23 years old, but he’s always going to be my baby brother,” she said. “I do not want to see him suffer. And I want to fight for him and make sure he gets all the answers that he needs.” said Martha.

“This is going to take a lot of healing physically, but also emotionally and mentally,” she said.

Martha said the driver leaving the scene is traumatic for her brother.

“But the fact that the driver just drove off, and didn’t even stick around, I mean, that’s something that he’s going to have to live with that memory and a painful memory, for the rest of his life,” Martha said.

Martha said her brother was wearing a helmet when the crash happened around 10 p.m.

“We know that it could have been way worse if he didn’t have his helmet on that night,” she said.

Robbie Webber, a board member for the nonprofit Madison Bikes, said collisions between cars and cyclists often caused by the driver.

“It’s usually the motorist that has made the error and not the bicyclist. They don’t look for bicyclists, and especially on a busy road such as East Washington. They’re not looking for bicyclists,” Webber said.

Webber emphasized the importance of driver awareness.

“Motorists have to slow down, look for other people on the road, obey the traffic laws and watch out for other people,” he said.

According to authorities, the vehicle is a Chrysler Voyager or Pacifica that is handicap accessible. Martha told police the car likely has damage to the front driver’s side.

Martha said her brother bikes a lot and is hoping the person responsible will cooperate with authorities as he continues his recovery.

Anyone who recognizes the vehicle or has information about the crash is asked to call Madison Crime Stoppers at 608-266-6014

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