The Franklin Police Department will conduct a DUI saturation operation on Friday to honor local cyclist Matthew Paritz, who was killed by an impaired driver December 16 last year. The operation marks one year and four days since his death. Paritz was a dedicated cyclist and was struck along Mack Hatcher Parkway, as reported by Williamson Source.
Donya Paritz, Matthew's widow, said, "He was a great husband, father, and friend. He had a heart of gold." he relayed to WSMV her husband's passion for biking, noting that he rode two to three times per week.
The driver responsible for Matthew Paritz's death, Denilson Jose Hidalgo-Orozco, 23, was under the influence of alcohol and cocaine, with a blood alcohol level of .16, as per a Franklin Police Department's post on X. In September, he pled guilty to vehicular homicide and DUI, receiving a 10-year prison sentence.
Franklin resident, Matthew Paritz, loved riding his bike.
— Franklin Police Department (@FranklinTNPD) December 16, 2024
“He was an avid rider. It was something he did two to three times a week,” according to Matthew’s wife, Donya Paritz.
On December 16, 2023, what started off as a typical morning ride, turned tragic on the streets of… pic.twitter.com/x02H5suJdJ
The department encourages residents to call 9-1-1 if they spot an erratic driver, helping to protect the community from impaired driving dangers.
