HENRICO COUNTY, Va. -- Members of Central Virginia's cycling and triathlon communities gathered Thursday night to honor Jonah Holland.
A drunk driver hit and killed Holland, 49, while she cycled along Osbourne Turnpike in eastern Henrico last Saturday, according to Henrico Police.
The teenage driver also hit cyclist Natalie Rainer. Rainer was critically injured but is recovering, according to her family members.
"Today's battle cry is, I have to live for Jonah," one of Natalie's family members said.
They said that was the message Natalie said when doctors first took out her breathing tube.
Those gathered on Thursday spoke about the kind of incredible human Jonah was and how they were heartbroken that Natalie and Jonah weren't able to finish their ride because of the careless actions of someone else.
Organizers also discussed how they are trying to move past the tragedy and get back on their feet.
“I can’t think of anything better than doing this. I think this is what Jonah would want. For us to keep striving for wellness, fitness, achievement, and teamwork,” friend Adam Foldenauer said.
After the cyclists gathered to pay honor to Jonah with words, they took to the road for a 21-mile ride to Ashland and back. The first mile of the ride was a slow mile of silence in honor of Jonah's life.
The ride also represented a call to the community to pay mind to how drivers interact with cyclists.
Those riding hoped when people saw the pack of cyclists, they asked what was happening and were brought attention to how quickly a driver can take a cyclist's life.
"It doesn't take much. Take a few more seconds and give a cyclist a little more room. It's not worth injuring someone or killing them," friend Trey Dunnaville said.
The cyclists said the first mile was tough as they rode to remember their friend. However, many said they will remember the great conversations and rides they had together with Jonah.
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