New Jersey Bystanders Lift Car to Save Injured Bicyclist

Press of Atlantic City:

About 40 people were gathered at noon Friday for the dedication of a time capsule at Hamilton Township's War Memorial Park when they heard a scream. A car had struck a bicyclist at Main Street and Route 50.

Bystanders rushed across the street to find the injured man - Kenneth Pierce, 32, of Mays Landing - trapped beneath the car.

"It's one of those things you couldn't believe happened," said Chris Groome, owner of Brownies Squared Bake Shop on Main Street.

Groome was walking down the sidewalk from his bakery to take part in the time-capsule dedication when he saw a car strike the bicyclist on Main Street. Police say the car's driver was Charles Kelly, 58, of Mays Landing.

"I saw a car turning right toward the light and knocking over a guy on a bike," Groome said. "The driver must not have known what happened, because he kept driving and ended up running over the guy."

The bicycle and its rider were dragged 75 feet by the car before it stopped, police said. Groome quickly tried to find help.

"I ran across the street to a cafe and said to call 911," he said.

By the time he returned outside, bystanders had surrounded the vehicle. Above the murmur of the crowd, Groome heard Pierce's desperate plea, "Get it off! Get it off!"

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