By Kalyn Story | Staff Writer
Fergus Falls, Minn., sophomore David Grotberg died Thursday night as the result of a hit-and-run bicycle accident on Franklin Avenue.
Grotberg was a University Scholar, a member of the Honors Residential College community and a participant in the Baylor Interdisciplinary Core. He played trumpet in the Baylor Golden Wave Marching Band, served as president of the Ballroom Dance Society and was involved in Alliance Bible Church in Waco.
“We are devastated by the news of David’s passing,” said Isaiah Odajima, D.M.A., associate professor and associate director of bands in the School of Music, in an press release. “David was a bright, shining star within the Golden Wave Band. He was a selfless young man, a giver of enormous positivity and energy. He was a servant leader within our band family. He loved the band, he loved Baylor, and above all else, he loved the Lord. He will be dearly missed.”
Sgt. W. Patrick Swanton, spokesperson for Waco Police Department, said Friday that investigators are looking for the vehicle that struck Grotberg, but have made no arrests.
As of press time Monday, Waco police had not responded to a call inquiring updates on the case.
Police were sent around 10 p.m. Thursday to the 3100 block of Franklin Avenue after a caller reported that a vehicle struck a bicycle.
According to KWTX, investigators learned that Grotberg had been riding his bicycle eastbound along Franklin with his girlfriend when he was struck by a vehicle.
“Witnesses told officers that a white vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed eastbound and struck the male on his bike causing fatal injuries,” KWTX quoted Swanton saying in an early Friday morning press release.
Swanton said the vehicle never stopped and continued eastbound on Franklin Avenue.
The Waco Tribune-Herald reported that shortly after 10 p.m., Grotberg was taken to Baylor Scott & White Hillcrest Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
“We mourn this profound loss,” Baylor University Golden Wave Band’s Facebook page posted Friday afternoon. “We offer our prayers to his family and friends and we ask for your thoughts and prayers as we proceed through this difficult time. David, we love you and we will miss you dearly.”
The Honors Residential College held a gathering for support and prayer for fellow students, faculty and staff who knew Grotberg at 4 p.m. Friday in the Alexander Reading Room.
