Cyclist Killed While Raising Funds for Sick Granddaughter

A Canadian bicyclist who was raising money for his granddaughter’s kidney transplant with a long-distance ride died from injuries suffered when he was struck by a truck driver in South Dakota.

JP, pictured, is remembered as someone that always put the wellness of others before himself.

.Jean-Pierre “JP” Petit, of Winnipeg, Manitoba, was hit from behind by the cargo truck while riding on the shoulder of Interstate 29 about 17 miles (27 kilometers) north of Brookings, police said. Petit was riding on the solid white line, also known as the fog line. He died Monday at a hospital in Sioux Falls, according to the South Dakota Highway Patrol.

Petit had been cycling 838 miles (1,349 kilometers) from Winnipeg to Hot Springs in the Black Hills of South Dakota— where there's a fountain called Kidney Springs that is believed to have healing properties. The 53-year-old carried a sign along his journey which read: "Let's make anything possible." His goal had been to raise awareness and funds for other kids who needed nephrology care; something that hits close to home for him as both his son and granddaughter are currently going through their own kidney donation experiences. Unfortunately, Jean-Pierre never made it to Hot Springs; Thursday night he was fatally struck by a straight truck while still biking on I-29 just north of Brookings.

The 65-year-old male driver responsible for hitting Petit hails from Brandon, South Dakota but has not yet faced any charges related to this incident. The family has created a GoFundMe page (Cycle4Eveline) in order continue JP's legacy and support Eveline's kidney transplant as well as other children struggling with similar issues. They are also asking people to leave tribute gifts in memory of JP at Goodbear.ca