The Miami orthopedic surgeon who was struck by an SUV while riding his bicycle over the Rickenbacker Causeway last month remains in intensive care, but doctors tell family that he is paralyzed from mid-chest down.

Gilbert Beauperthuy, 63, was riding across the causeway at about 8:30 a.m. on Aug. 29, when he was struck by an SUV while riding in the designated green bike pathway. 

But City of Miami Police have remained tight-lipped about their investigation since the day of, when they offered few details, even with the victim’s family.

“They are being extremely tight with the information,” the victim’s brother-in-law, Carlos Mendia said earlier this week. 

Dr. Gilbert Beauperthuy (left), Rafael Ortiz (middle) and Carlos Mendia (right). (Carlos Mendia via KBI)

Beauperthuy, an orthopedic surgeon at HCA Florida Mercy Hospital, remained in the ICU at Jackson Memorial Hospital, still unconscious leaving questions as to what if any cognitive effects he has suffered as a result of his injuries.  Last week doctors gave him a tracheotomy – a breathing tube that is surgically inserted through the front of the neck often when a patient will be needing to remain on a ventilator long-term. 

“We have seen some improvements but it is still a long way for recovery,” Mendia said. “We are all waiting for him to wake up.”

City of Miami Police have not provided any public updates to their investigation into the crash. On Friday, they responded to the Key Biscayne Independent’s public records request saying that all “responsive records associated with this open investigation are currently exempt from disclosure,” citing Sunshine Law. 

Police cited the portion of Chapter 119 which states, “Active criminal intelligence information and active criminal investigative information are exempt.”

But courts and Florida Attorneys General have said repeatedly that the “active” exception to Florida’s Public Records Law is limited in scope.

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“The fact that a crime or incident report may contain some active criminal investigative or intelligence information does not mean that the entire report is exempt,” states the current Attorney General’s official public records guide for law enforcement.

A crash report – released to Beauperthuy’s family and shared with the Independent – sheds little light. According to that report, the driver was a 20-year-old Coral Gables resident driving his 2023 Porsche Macan. 

Neither drugs or alcohol were suspected to be involved, according to that report. The driver was listed as being distracted by unknown reasons. 

An attorney for the family shared what they have gathered from that day: “According to eyewitnesses, the vehicle that struck Dr. Beauperthuy was driving erratically and crossed into the bike path at the time of the collision.”

The Independent is not naming the driver although it is a matter of public record because he has not been charged with a crime. 

Meanwhile, Beauperthuy’s wife and three adult children have remained at his side daily, according to Mendia. 

“This has really been a thought and eye opening issue for me since I would ride that segment almost weekly.” he said. 

The two brothers-in-law have been regularly riding across the Rickenbacker Causeway as part of their Saturday morning rides along with a handful of friends. Mendia, however, had been out of town on the morning of Beauperthuy’s accident. 

“Dr. Beauperthuy spent his career caring for others during some of their most difficult moments. Today, that same compassion, skill, and support is being returned by the doctors, nurses, and medical providers caring for him,” the statement from the family attorney stated earlier this month. “The family is grateful for the prayers and outpouring of love and support from all of you.”

Jessica De Leon is a general assignment reporter at the Key Biscayne Independent.