On Sunday, a steady stream of mourners filed into a Rocky Mount funeral home to say goodbye to Gonzalo Torres Perez, a familiar face on local roads who died after he was hit by a car while out riding his bike earlier in the week. Friends and family used the visitation not only to grieve but also to urge city leaders to install sidewalks and bike lanes along the routes Perez often traveled with his dog Oso trotting alongside.
Crash on Thomas A. Betts Parkway
According to Rocky Mount police, Perez was struck around 7 a.m. in the 1800 block of Thomas A. Betts Parkway. He was first taken to UNC Health Nash, then airlifted to ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville. The driver stayed at the scene of the collision, which remains under investigation, according to WRAL.
Visitation at Matthews Family Mortuary
The family held a public visitation Sunday at Matthews Family Mortuary. The funeral home's online obituary notes that Perez, 71, "transitioned" on July 23 at ECU Health Medical Center and lists the visitation details. Matthews Family Mortuary also records that the family expressed gratitude to neighbors for their support as arrangements move forward.
Neighbors Remember Gonzalo
Neighbors described Perez as a constant, comforting presence around Rocky Mount, often spotted on his bike with Oso and always looking out for people. At the visitation, Benjamin Alvarez told the crowd, "We know Gonzalo belongs to all of this community," while Randy Adcox shared how he first met Perez by chance at a McDonald's in 2018 and would sometimes give him rides. Those memories, along with renewed calls for safer streets, were reported by WRAL.
Why Advocates Say Change Is Overdue
Safety advocates at the visitation pointed to regional crash data showing bicycle collisions recorded over multiple years and warning that non-motorized fatalities and serious injuries remain a significant concern. They argue it is long past time for the city to prioritize protected bike lanes and continuous sidewalks along busy corridors. Those concerns are backed up by data in the Rocky Mount Urban Area MPO's safety report, published by the Rocky Mount Urban Area MPO / N.C. DOT.
Police say the investigation into the crash is ongoing, and it remains unclear whether any charges will be filed. The family has asked for privacy while again thanking the community for its outpouring of support, according to Matthews Family Mortuary.
