Bicyclist killed in Rittenhouse Square identified as CHOP doctor Barbara Friedes
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — A 30-year-old woman who was hit and killed while riding her bike in Rittenhouse Square was identified by family as Barbara Friedes, a doctor at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
Family said Friedes was a chief resident at CHOP, which is often regarded as a top children's hospital and recently ranked as the fourth best children's hospital in the country by U.S News & World Report.
Police said a 68-year-old man driving a blue car was traveling west on Spruce Street when he hit Friedes near the intersection of Spruce and 18th around 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 17. Friedes was riding in the designated westbound bike lane, police added.
Friedes suffered "severe head trauma," according to police, and was taken to Jefferson Hospital where she died a short time later.
Charges have not yet been filed in connection with the accident.
"Barbara was a beacon of light, and given her many talents, skills, and achievements, was selected to be a Chief Resident at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia for this academic year," Dr. Jeanine Ronan, attending physician and program director of the Pediatrics Residency Program, said in a statement shared with CBS News Philadelphia.
"She was loved by so many and embodied kindness, strength and a deep compassion for all who crossed her path. This morning, the CHOP community is in mourning following her tragic loss and keeping her family, friends and loved ones in our hearts," Ronan continued.
Friedes was married and moved to Philadelphia from Colorado.
According to CHOP's website, Friedes attended Johns Hopkins University of Medicine for medical school. Friedes, whose maiden name is Dietrick, was highlighted as one of the school's outstanding students on Match Day in 2021.
"I would like to be remembered for being the daughter of an elementary school counselor and an Air Force officer who raised their children to be kind and compassionate towards others, which led me to become the first in my family to go to medical school and now become a physician," the profile said.
"Dr. Barbara (Dietrick) Friedes was a beloved member of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine community when she was a medical student here in 2017–2021. She was an extraordinarily compassionate person with remarkable leadership skills, and she brought joy to everyone around her. At convocation, Barbara received the Harrison Award recognizing her outstanding talents and promise for a career in pediatrics. Many of her former mentors and classmates stayed in close touch with her after she moved to Philadelphia for her residency training. We are very grateful to have known her, and our heartfelt condolences go to her family, friends and colleagues," said Barry Solomon, M.D., M.P.H., Professor of Pediatrics and Assistant Dean for Medical Student Affairs at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
"A life cut short," Avis Chen Boulter said. "She had so much potential."
Friends and loved ones of Friedes are paying their respects at a makeshift memorial to honor her life.
"She did not get to help all the people she would've helped in her lifetime," Boulter said.
Boulter says her daughter worked with Friedes at CHOP and shared what she knew about her daughter's friend and coworker.
"She went through so much to get there," Boulter said. "She went through med school. She is in residency. She is accomplished. She is the same age as my daughter. She's 30. To think of losing your daughter at that age after doing so much, it's a lot."
Chris Gale of the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia said what happened to Friedes was truly tragic.
"I take this bike lane every single day when I ride home to get to my family," Gale said. "To know that there are kids that don't have a parent coming home because there weren't ways to keep that person safe is tragic and heartbreaking."
Mayor Cherelle Parker said in a statement in part, "Every death caused by a vehicle in Philadelphia is a tragedy."
"For years, I have strongly supported proactive measures to ensure the safety of pedestrians and cyclists in our city … I take traffic safety very seriously — and very personally — as does my entire Parker administration. We'll continue that work every day," she said.
According to the Philadelphia Parking Authority, Friedes was the first cyclist death in the city so far this year. The PPA said there were 10 bicyclist deaths last year, three in 2022, eight in 2021, and five in 2020.