Grandfather Dies After Bike Hits Massive Pothole in Pennsylvania
A beloved grandfather has tragically died after his bicycle struck a massive pothole while he was riding in Pennsylvania. Joseph Kenas, aged 69, was out enjoying his normal route on March 10 when his bike hit a crater on Morris Road in Fort Washington, a suburb of Philadelphia.
Family's Heartbreaking Loss
The father of three and grandfather of five was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he died three days later from his injuries. Kenas, described as an adventurous and loving family man, was thrilled to get out that day to enjoy the sun, according to his son, Stephen Kenas.
'It was such a beautiful day. It was the 80 degree weather we had. He just couldn't resist,' Stephen told NBC10. Heartbroken, Stephen recalled his mother and Kenas' wife, Elizabeth, telling the biker to make it home in time for dinner that night.
But after leaving their home in Abington Township, Kenas, who was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, hit the fractured road surface. 'It's hard for me to believe that a pothole took out such a strong man,' Steven said as his eyes welled with tears.
Severe Injuries and Tragic Outcome
Steven explained that his family knew Kenas was severely injured after they saw his test results. 'They wanted to do an MRI to check for brain activity, and once we got results, we knew that, unfortunately, his life was pretty much lifeless, and there's no brain activity,' he recalled. 'And that was when we had to make the call. And that's really hard.'
The pothole has since been filled, but locals reported that there are always craters on Morris Road. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has received more than 13,000 reports in the southeastern part of the state in the last year, according to the outlet.
Road Safety Concerns and Legal Perspectives
Two of those reports were about craters on Morris Road, including one that came in on the day of his accident, the agency said. It is unclear if that report was recorded before or after Kenas hit the hole.
Stuart Leon, an attorney not affiliated with the case, said his clients always call about the condition of that street. 'We’re lawyers working for only bicycle crash victims. Every single week somebody calls us up, they got crashed out by the condition of the road,' Leon told the outlet.
'I’ve seen people talking about getting their car tires blown out. Think about the harm that’s done when a bicycle rider gets crashed out by a pot hole. We’re talking about head trauma, broken teeth,' he added.
Family's Response and Legacy
Stephen said he is pleased that the pothole has been covered with asphalt, but it doesn't change what happened. 'It was powerful to see the hole, and that helped me process a little better,' he stated. 'But when you hear a pothole taking someone’s life, you don’t want to believe it. But when you see what it is, you’re like wow. I can’t believe it got to this point.'
He noted that cycling was just one of his father's passions, as Kenas also loved skiing and fishing. According to Kenas' Facebook page, he and his wife often traveled with their family and enjoyed going on bike rides together.
'Joe was an extraordinarily kind, generous, and patient man. He had a warmth about him and a happiness that made everyone feel welcome,' his obituary read. 'He was the leader of our family, showing us every day what it means to live with kindness, love, selflessness, and presence.'
Community Tributes and Funeral Arrangements
Suburban Cyclist Unlimited, a non-profit recreational biking group, shared the tragic news of Kenas' death on Facebook. 'Joe was a respected racer and recreational cyclist and was always very encouraging and positive. He will be greatly missed. May his memory be a blessing for all of us who knew him,' the post read.
His funeral is set for Friday, and in lieu of flowers, his family has asked people to donate to Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, highlighting his enduring legacy and commitment to cycling safety.
