Friends, coworkers remember Glen Allen cyclist struck by car

HANOVER, VA (WWBT) - Deputies responded to a collision between a vehicle and a cyclist near the intersection of Mountain Road and Farrington Road on Saturday morning.

Hanover authorities say bicyclist, Caroline Wortham, was struck from behind on Mountain Road. Wortham was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.

On a video call from Haiti, Nadene Brunke fought back tears as she talked about the loss of one of her best friends.

"What I will miss the most about her is her total enthusiasm for life, for possibilities of service. She cared so much about our program and was just willing to do anything for us," Brunke said.

That program, Midwives for Haiti, had been part of Caroline's life for the last four years. She volunteered in Haiti for a year and continued to be active in the program by serving on the board back home in the U.S.

Nadene, executive director of Midwives for Haiti, says Caroline was very popular with their Haitian staff members.

"Everybody knew and loved Carrie, so it's going to be really important that we give the Haitians time to talk about Carrie and time to grieve," Brunke said.

Now, she's grieving for a life that ended too soon.

Hanover authorities say Wortham was traveling west on Mountain Road when a car going the same direction struck and killed her.

"They had it blocked off at Greenwood," said Douglas Eubank, who lives just down from where the accident happened. He was home when the incident took place. Though he's only lived there since May, he knows just how dangerous this stretch of Mountain Road can be. He says with new laws on the books for bikers coupled on top of the narrow road and speeding drivers, its a recipe for disaster.

"You don't have three feet between those tires and that white line, so the traffic either slows or they try to skim by the biker," Eubank said.

With Caroline gone, her family and friends are all leaning on each other. Nadene finds comfort knowing that Caroline achieved so many of her goals.

"She did more in her very short life than many do in a life time," Brunke said.

The driver of the Buick Century reported no injuries. Investigators will be consulting with the Hanover Commonwealth Attorney's Office in regards to future charges.

According to Wortham's father, a memorial service for their daughter will be held on Friday. Investigators are still working to determine if charges will be brought against the driver in this case.

Anyone who may have information relating to this investigation is asked to contact the Hanover County Sheriff's Office at (804) 730-6110.

Carrie was also a consultant at Impact Makers, a Richmond based technology consulting company that contributes all profits over the life of the company to local charities.

"Carrie was a tremendous person and wonderful employee who made a difference with our clients and our community partners.  Our company is devastated by this news and our thoughts and prayers go out to her family," said President Carl Miller.

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