Chicago Driver Charged in Cyclist Hit-and-Run as Community Rallies

A driver has been charged in connection with a hit-and-run incident that critically injured Dr. Ray Lee, a physiatrist specializing in spinal cord injuries, seven months after the collision. The charges were announced on the same evening Dr. Lee's family participated in the annual Chicago Ride of Silence, an event commemorating cyclists lost to traffic violence.

The incident occurred on October 29, 2025, around 4:30 p.m., as Dr. Lee was cycling north on Damen Avenue in the West Loop. According to the Illinois Traffic Crash Report, while Dr. Lee proceeded through the intersection of Van Buren Street with a green light, a westbound driver in a red 2010 Ford Fusion sedan allegedly disregarded their stoplight and struck Dr. Lee from his right side before fleeing the scene. The impact threw Dr. Lee approximately 30 feet, cracking his helmet and resulting in a traumatic brain injury.

Why it matters

He was in a coma at Stroger Hospital for many days and is currently undergoing inpatient care at Rehab Without Walls. While Dr. Lee has regained the ability to walk and talk, his wife, Fani Lee, described his recovery as challenging, stating he is "not the way he was" and is unable to work. He was terminated from his job at Schwab Rehabilitation after his six months of paid time off concluded.

Community support for the Lee family has been significant, with over $81,000 raised through a GoFundMe campaign. The campaign page highlights Dr. Lee's dedication to helping patients regain strength and mobility and his reputation as an "incredible teacher, colleague and friend."

Context

The Chicago Ride of Silence, an annual event, took on added significance this year as it also honored Dr. Lee, who was critically injured but alive. Approximately 100 cyclists gathered to remember fallen cyclists and to show solidarity with the Lee family. Fani Lee and her children, Olivia, 15, and Max, 13, stood at the northwest corner of Van Buren and Damen, the site of the collision, to greet the procession.

Chris Holden, a participant in the Ride of Silence, invited the Lee family to attend. Olivia expressed a strong desire to honor her father. Ride leader Elizabeth Adamczyk presented the family with red roses as a symbol of hope for Dr. Lee's recovery. Fani Lee described the experience as feeling "very much like being part of a community," which provided a sense of connection and gratitude that there was no "ghost bike" memorial at the scene.

The family also expressed gratitude to the witnesses who remained at the scene after the collision, including two cyclists who were riding behind Dr. Lee. One of these witnesses used a Garmin device on Dr. Lee's bike to directly contact his wife.

A significant development occurred later that evening. Around 9 p.m., Fani Lee received a call from the Chicago Police Department informing her that they were charging the suspect in the hit-and-run. Tavis Roark, 35, who resides near the collision site, was charged with one felony count of failure to report an injury crash. A detention hearing was scheduled for the following day at the Cook County Criminal Courthouse.

Mike Keating of Keating Law Offices, the civil attorney for the Lee family and a Streetsblog Chicago sponsor, provided details on the investigation. He explained that Tavis Roark's mother owns the vehicle involved in the crash. "One hour after the crash, the Roark family filed a police report saying the car was stolen," Keating stated. "Tavis apparently lied to his family and to investigators, and an inaccurate report was filed."

Keating noted that Roark had been a suspect throughout the investigation, with the collision captured by Office of Emergency Management and Communication cameras and likely other surveillance systems in the Illinois Medical District. The police department's Major Accidents Investigations Unit (MAIU) gathered information that ultimately led to Roark's arrest.

Fani Lee indicated she was not entirely surprised by the news of the charges, having received updates from the MAIU. "But it was a relief," she said. Her primary concern is that the suspect "doesn’t do it again," citing his alleged history as a repeat DUI offender. She anticipates that further charges may be brought forward as the case proceeds to the grand jury.

Keating commended the CPD's handling of the investigation, particularly the MAIU's persistence. He specifically credited Investigator Paul Niezabitowski, a traffic specialist, for his role in the investigation. Fani Lee echoed these sentiments, describing Niezabitowski and his team as having done a "fantastic" job and being diligent in explaining the evidence required for a strong case, expressing deep gratitude for their efforts in seeking justice for Ray.

Key facts

• Detail: Information
• Incident Date: October 29, 2025
• Victim: Dr. Ray Lee
• Alleged Offender: Tavis Roark, 35
• Charges: Felony count of failure to report an injury crash
• Location: Van Buren Street and Damen Avenue, Chicago
• Community Support: Over $81,000 raised via GoFundMe

This incident underscores critical issues in urban mobility, specifically the persistent dangers faced by cyclists. The case highlights the importance of robust traffic enforcement, the effectiveness of community support networks, and the need for accountability in cases of reckless driving and hit-and-run incidents. The involvement of the MAIU and the persistence of investigators like Investigator Niezabitowski demonstrate the crucial role of specialized units in achieving justice for victims of traffic violence. The family's experience also brings attention to the long-term impacts of severe injuries on individuals and their families, including the loss of income and the necessity of ongoing rehabilitation.

Source: Streetsblog Chicago, https://chi.streetsblog.org/2026/05/22/the-night-bike-crash-survivor-dr-ray-lees-family-met-up-with-the-ride-of-silence-cpd-called-to-say-it-was-charging-the-reckless-driver-who-changed-his-life