A Peabody, Massachusetts, firefighter was killed Sunday in a cycling accident, according to the Beverly Police Department.
Police received a 911 call around 4:20 p.m. reporting an accident on Hale Street in Beverly. When crews arrived, they found a bicyclist with life-threatening injuries who was already being tended to by the Beverly Fire Department.
The cyclist, later identified as Peabody firefighter Dan Pimenta, was transported to Beverly Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Police said investigation revealed that a Jeep driven by Paul Fiore, 69, of Beverly was headed northbound on Hale Street when the collision occurred.
Peabody Mayor Edward A. Bettencourt, Jr. considered 53-year-old Pimenta one of his friends.
"Someone who you wanted with you when you needed somebody," he said.
The investigation is ongoing, but at this time no charges are pending against Fiore.
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Pimenta was an avid bike rider and advocate for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. He had been battling MS for 25 years, according to friend Will Likelu.
"He's had MS a great part of his life," said Likelu. "He worked that much harder to be a great firefighter, raising money, doing the bike events."
The National MS Society issued a statement on Pimenta's passing:
"Our hearts are broken today with the news of the passing of Dan Pimenta. Dan was a longtime participant in our Bike MS rides, as well as many other Society events – and most of all, he was part of our MS community and family. Dan shared his commitment to finding a cure for MS with anyone and everyone – he rallied his family and friends, including his fire department family, to raise funds to support the mission of the National MS Society. He rode hundreds of miles, climbed 61 flights of stairs in his firefighter gear, and ran a 5K mud-obstacle course each year. He was an amazing champion for everyone affected by MS, and will be truly missed by all. Our thoughts and sympathies are with his family, as well as the Peabody Fire Department and the entire Peabody community."
Pimenta is survived by his wife and two children.
